How The Land Behind the Iconic Windows XP Wallpaper Looks Today

The iconic Windows XP desktop background, known as ‘Bliss,’ captured the hearts of millions with its serene image of rolling green hills and a vibrant blue sky in Napa Valley, California. However, a recent viral Instagram post by @insidehistory has left many feeling nostalgic, revealing the dramatic transformation of this once-familiar landscape over the past 27 years.

The series of images, spanning from 1998 to 2025, shows the gradual disappearance of the lush green hills, replaced by rows of grapevines. This change has elicited strong reactions from social media users. One commenter expressed their disappointment, writing, “I used to stare at this for minutes and would wish I was there… it’s sad now.” Another starkly stated, “This is what depression looks like.”

While the ‘Bliss’ photograph, taken in 1998 by Charles ‘Chuck’ O’Rear, is believed to be the most viewed image globally, its current appearance has shocked many who fondly remember the default Windows XP backdrop.

@insidehistory clarified in their post that the original photograph’s striking colors and clarity were naturally achieved with a medium-format camera, dispelling rumors of digital manipulation.

Despite this, numerous commenters expressed their dismay at the transformation. “So, it’s ruined. Nice,” one wrote, while another simply said, “Well that’s hideous.” One pessimistic user even predicted, “In 10 more years it’ll be a parking lot.” Another lamented the perceived loss of vibrancy, stating, “The ‘spark’ the world used to have is gone, the once vibrant colorful world has turned dull approaching grayscale.”

However, not all reactions were negative. Some commenters who claimed to have visited the location recently assured others of its continued beauty. “I’ve been there and I assure you it’s just as beautiful today. Breathtaking really,” one wrote. Another simply commented, “Beautiful vineyard.” One user humorously countered the negative reactions, saying, “Everybody’s reacting like it’s a grey brick apartment building there now.”

Several commenters also pointed out that the variations in the later images could be attributed to seasonal changes affecting the vineyards, with one writing, “Every picture from 2006 on is just the same grapevines. Some are just during the dormant season and others during the growing season.” Another succinctly stated, “Different seasons.”

The reality behind the ‘Bliss’ photograph reveals an interesting twist. The seemingly idyllic open green hills were actually a temporary anomaly. Photographer Charles O’Rear captured the image while driving through Napa-Soma County, noticing a single field devoid of grapevines amidst the surrounding vineyards. This was because the field had been cleared the previous year due to a phylloxera infestation, a pest that devastates grapevines.

O’Rear sold the photograph, initially titled ‘Bucolic Green Hills,’ to a stock photography company that was later acquired by Corbis Images, owned by Microsoft CEO Bill Gates. Microsoft selected the image for its $200 million Windows XP advertising campaign in 2001. While the exact sum O’Rear received remains undisclosed, he described it as an “acceptable amount.” He has also affirmed that the image’s vibrant qualities were natural, stating, “It was all there. The clouds were there, the green grass was there and the blue sky.”

Thus, the transformation of the ‘Bliss’ landscape reflects the natural cycle of agriculture in the region, with the iconic green hills representing a brief, insect-induced pause in the area’s viticultural history.