Configuring the Google Images Wallpaper Source

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In your web browser, navigate to https://console.developers.google.com/projectselector/home/dashboard.
After logging in with your Google Account, click the "Create Project" link on the top-right of the page.
You'll be taken to the "Create Project" page. Give the project a name, then click the Create button.
The newly-created project will populate the screen. If not, use the "Select a project" dropdown to choose your new project.
In the left pane, navigate to APIs & Services > Library.
Use the search box to search for "Custom Search API" and then select it.
Click the "Enable" button.
Click the menu on the top left and navigate to APIs & Services > Credentials.
Click the "Create Credentials" link and choose "API Key."
Click the copy button on the "API key created" window.

Right-click the DisplayFusion tray icon and click "Desktop Wallpaper." You can also access this via the Options tab in Settings.
Click the "Change" button in the "Wallpaper Source" area.
Click the "Google Image Search" source option.
Click "Get Settings."
Paste the Google Project API Key into the "API Key" text field.
Specify the Search Text to pull in specific images.
Click the "Use These Settings" button.

May 13, 2015 (modified Aug 15, 2022) • #1

Bryan Evans

1 discussion post

Good info, although the Google API site screenshots are out of date now. (They're still pretty accurate though.)

Also, it would be helpful to mention that the new API key takes a few minutes to activate once it's been created.

Mar 14, 2019 • #2

Thanks Bryan! I'l put those on my list to update for this guide

Mar 14, 2019 • #3

Tim Pettus

1 discussion post

Is there a way to remove the watermark from the image? Attached is the desktop image I am seeing. Note the watermark in the top right corner showing the number of images found.

• Attachment [protected]: Google Image Search Image - Pikes Peak Mountain Garden of the Gods Park Col (99962aeed2596ab7d5392982eb1d8819f3165731).jpg [1,261,857 bytes]

Jul 9, 2019 • #4

It looks like this watermark is embedded into your image, there isn't any way for DisplayFusion to remove it, sorry.

Jul 9, 2019 • #5

MRGcav

2 discussion posts

Good info but your article really needs an update. New Options available on Google.
Excellent program guys

May 19, 2020 • #6

@MRGcav: Thanks for the feedback and the kind words! We've updated the guide for the newest version of the Google Cloud Platform console.

Jun 8, 2020 • #7

MRGcav

2 discussion posts

I went through the Google console proceedure following the old instructions and probally missed something. Could not get it to work. IT is rediciously complicated. I will try again with the new instructions. For now I am using/selected Picbay