How to Change Wallpaper on Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)

Changing your wallpaper on Windows 11 is a quick job once you know where to look. You can pick your own photo, choose from Microsoft’s built-in pictures, set a solid color, or let a slideshow cycle through images automatically. Here’s how to do it, step by step.

Quick steps

1. Right-click an empty area of your desktop and select Personalize.
2. Click Background.
3. Choose Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow from the dropdown.
4. Select the image, color, or folder you want to use.

Before you start

A few quick things to check before you dive in:

• You need to be signed in with an account that has permission to change personalization settings on that PC. On a work or school managed device, your organization may restrict this.
• If you want to use your own photo, have it saved somewhere on your PC, OneDrive, or an external drive first.
• For a slideshow, keep all the images you want to cycle through in one folder so Windows can find them easily.
• Changing the desktop background and changing the lock screen background are two separate settings in Windows 11, so don’t expect one to automatically update the other.

Change wallpaper from the right-click menu (fastest method)

This is the quickest route if you’re already on the desktop and just want to get to the background settings without digging through menus.

1. Right-click any empty space on your desktop (not on an icon).
2. Select Personalize from the menu that appears.
3. In the Personalization page, click Background.
4. Use the Personalize your background dropdown to choose Picture, Solid color, Slideshow, or Windows spotlight.
5. If you choose Picture, click Browse photos to pick your own image, or select one of the pictures already shown.

Change wallpaper through the Settings app

If you prefer going through the Settings app directly rather than right-clicking the desktop, this works the same way.

1. Open Settings. You can do this from the Start menu or by pressing the Windows key and typing “Settings.”
2. Select Personalization from the left-hand menu.
3. Click Background.
4. Choose how you want to set your background: Picture, Solid color, Slideshow, or Windows spotlight.
5. For a picture, click Browse photos and select the image file you want.
6. Once selected, Windows applies the new wallpaper to your desktop right away.

Set a slideshow wallpaper on Windows 11

A slideshow lets your background rotate through a folder of images automatically instead of showing just one picture. It’s a nice way to use a whole album of photos instead of picking just one.

1. Right-click your desktop and choose Personalize, then click Background.
2. From the dropdown menu, select Slideshow.
3. Click Browse and choose the folder that contains the images you want in the rotation.
4. Set how often you want the picture to change using the Change picture every dropdown.
5. Turn on Shuffle if you want the images to appear in a random order instead of in sequence.
6. Choose a Fit option, such as Fill, Fit, or Stretch, to control how each image is scaled on your screen.

Use Windows Spotlight for automatic wallpapers

Windows Spotlight is a Microsoft feature that shows a different wallpaper on your desktop and lock screen each day, along with occasional tips and suggestions. It’s a good option if you’d rather not pick images yourself but still want some variety.

1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Background.
2. From the Personalize your background dropdown, select Windows spotlight.
3. Windows will now automatically change your desktop wallpaper with a new image periodically, pulled from Microsoft’s curated collection.

Keep in mind that Windows Spotlight also controls lock screen images separately, and in managed or organizational environments, an administrator may configure or restrict this feature.

If it doesn’t work

The Personalize option is missing or grayed out

On a work, school, or other managed PC, your organization’s IT department may have applied policies that lock down personalization settings, including the desktop background. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to change the wallpaper yourself, and you’ll need to check with your IT admin.

Your picture won’t apply or looks stretched oddly

Try changing the Fit option in the Background settings (for example switching from Stretch to Fill or Fit). Very small images can look blurry or distorted depending on your screen resolution, so a higher-resolution photo usually displays more cleanly.

Slideshow isn’t changing pictures

Double check that the folder you selected actually contains multiple image files, and confirm the Change picture every setting isn’t set to a long interval that just hasn’t triggered yet. If the folder was moved, renamed, or deleted after you set it up, Windows won’t be able to find the images anymore, so you may need to re-browse and select the folder again.

Windows Spotlight images aren’t updating

Windows Spotlight needs an internet connection to download new images, so check that you’re online. It can also take a little time to refresh, so if nothing has changed for a while, try switching to a different background option and back to Windows spotlight again.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my desktop background on Windows 11?

Right-click an empty spot on your desktop, choose Personalize, then click Background. From there you can pick a picture, a solid color, a slideshow, or Windows Spotlight.

Can I set a slideshow as my wallpaper on Windows 11?

Yes. In Settings > Personalization > Background, choose Slideshow from the dropdown, then select a folder of images and set how often you want the picture to change.

Why can’t I change my wallpaper on Windows 11?

This usually happens on a work or school managed device where your organization has applied a policy that restricts personalization settings. If you’re on a personal PC and still can’t change it, make sure you’re signed in with an account that has the right permissions.

What is Windows Spotlight and how is it different from a slideshow?

Windows Spotlight automatically shows a new, curated image from Microsoft’s collection on your desktop and lock screen, along with occasional tips. A slideshow, by contrast, cycles through your own chosen folder of pictures that you control.

Does changing my desktop wallpaper also change my lock screen?

No, these are separate settings in Windows 11. You’ll need to go into the lock screen personalization settings separately if you want to change that image too.

Related guides

• How To Stop Teams Loading Up After Logging In
• How to Activate OneDrive AutoSave
• How to Remove OneDrive from Your PC
• Implement Organizational Teams Backgrounds Without Teams Premium Licenses

Sources

• Configure Windows spotlight (Microsoft Learn)
• Windows client documentation (Microsoft Learn)