How to Change the Desktop Background in Windows 10 & 11 – Easy Guide

• Windows 11 – How to Change the Background Image
• Through Windows Settings App
• Directly via Explorer or Photos app
• Windows 10 – How It Works
• Background Image Without an Activated Windows Version?
• Common Issues and Solutions
• New Features
• Tips and Tricks You Might Miss
• FAQ – Quick Answers

Windows 11 – How to Change the Background Image

Through Windows Settings App

1. Open Settings (via Start → gear icon or press Windows + I).
2. Select Personalization in the left menu.
3. Click Background.
4. Under “Personalize your background” you can choose from:
   • Picture: Select a single image (default or via “Browse photos”)
   • Slideshow: Cycle through multiple images in a folder at set intervals
   • Windows Spotlight: Automatically changing images from Microsoft
   • Solid color: Choose a simple background color
5. If you pick “Picture” or “Slideshow”, you can also set how the image is displayed (Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, Center, Span).
6. Your selection is applied instantly.

Directly via Explorer or Photos app

In Photo Viewer, you can also press CTRL + B to set it as your desktop background.

In File Explorer, right-click on any image and select “Set as desktop background”.

In the Photos app or Photo Viewer, right-click on the open image → “Set as” → Background or Lock screen.

Windows 10 – How It Works

1. Open Settings with Windows + I.
2. Go to Personalization → Background.
3. Choose “Picture”, “Slideshow”, or “Solid color”.
4. Click “Browse” to select an image or folder.
5. Adjust how the image is displayed (Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, etc.).
6. As in Windows 11, you can right-click an image in Explorer and set it directly as your background.

Background Image Without an Activated Windows Version?

If Windows is not activated, personalization options are restricted. The “Personalization” menu is usually blocked. However, you can often still set a background image through File Explorer or the Photos app. This method works in many cases, even without a license.

Common Issues and Solutions

Problem	Possible Cause & Fix
Background image won’t change	A theme or sync option may be overriding your choice. Try selecting a default theme or disable sync.
Background image shows “Not applicable”	In corporate or school setups, a group policy may prevent changes.
Registry/GPO changes don’t apply	Manual edits may be ignored if group policies are active.
Background image changes automatically	Third-party apps or dynamic themes might be rotating images. Windows Spotlight for Example, this feature gets often activated after a Windows Update.

New Features

• Video wallpapers in Windows 11: Insider builds have introduced video backgrounds, letting you use MP4 or other formats as live wallpapers.
• Dynamic / AI-powered wallpapers: Microsoft is experimenting with intelligent background changes that adapt to time of day or mood.
• Live wallpapers via third-party tools: Apps like Lively Wallpaper or Wallpaper Engine already allow animated and interactive backgrounds.

Tips and Tricks You Might Miss

• Multiple monitors: You can assign different backgrounds to each monitor.
• Span mode: Stretch one image across multiple screens.
• Resolution matters: Choose images at least matching your screen resolution for best quality.
• Slideshow interval: Can be set between 1 minute and several hours.
• Disable sync: If you use multiple devices, syncing may override your wallpaper. You can disable it under Windows backup settings.

FAQ – Quick Answers

Can I change the background if Windows isn’t activated?
Yes, usually through File Explorer or Photos app – but not through Settings.

Are video backgrounds officially supported?
Not yet in the stable version – only in Insider builds.

Why won’t my background change?
Often group policies, themes, or sync features are blocking your customization.

Can I use multiple backgrounds at once?
Yes, with the Slideshow feature or third-party tools for animated wallpapers.