Microsoft Plus! can stretch a centered wallpaper image to fill the screen. The easiest and safest way is to select the Display applet in the Control Panel and then select the Plus! tab. Check the box titled Stretch desktop wallpaper to fit the screen at the bottom of the dialog box. This dialog box is illustrated in Figure 23. You can also right-click on the desktop, select the Properties from the pop-up menu, and then click on the Plus! tab.
Figure 23. Control Panel Display Applet Dialog Box for the Plus Tab
You can also force Windows to stretch the centered bitmap by editing the Registry directly. Editing the Registry should be done only by experienced users and with extreme care and the Registry should always be exported or backed up before any changes are made.
1. Start the REGEDIT.EXE program.
2. Go to the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\CONTROL PANEL\DESKTOP
3. You will see a list of parameters.
4. Double click on the "WallpaperStyle" parameter and change its value from 0 for not stretched to 2 for a stretched bitmap.
Note that Microsoft Plus! is required to be installed on your system for either method.