Why do pictures on my computer show up in the desktop back ground image files?
Is there a way to stop My Picture files from being displayed as a desktop back ground image you can use? I think Windows does this automatically but do not understand why it needs to work like that.

You can turn off this behaviour and set a static background.
RIGHT click on your desktop > Personalize > Desktop Background (bottom left) .
Picture changer option is at the bottom of this selection screen.
This assumes you are using Vista, 7 or 8.

You can turn off this behaviour and set a static background.
RIGHT click on your desktop > Personalize > Desktop Background (bottom left) .
Picture changer option is at the bottom of this selection screen.
This assumes you are using Vista, 7 or 8.

Reply:
Well I am using XP Home would checking Lock Desktop Items prevent that from happening?

With XP you need to select a static background rather than the option of Pictures slideshow.

I use XP and I had a look at my desktop background list. Turns out that XP looks both in C-Windows-Web-Wallpaper (the default images that come with the OS) as well as C- Documents and Settings-Your Name-My Documents-My Pictures to find photos for the desktop. I was surprised to see any pictures in MY My Pictures folder even though it's a default location since I usually use my own folders for storage and don't normally download to that location.
Move your photos out of My Pictures and put them in your own created folder (easy as a right click) and don't put or download anymore in there unless you want to move them yourself.