How to Change the Lock Screen on Windows 11

You can change the lock screen on Windows 11 from the Settings app, where you can swap the picture, turn on a slideshow, or let Windows pick a new image for you automatically. It only takes a couple of minutes, and you don’t need any extra software to do it.

Quick steps

1. Right-click the desktop and select Personalize, or open Settings and go to Personalization.
2. Select Lock screen.
3. Under Personalize your lock screen, choose Windows spotlight, Picture, or Slideshow.
4. If you choose Picture, select Browse photos and pick an image from your PC.

Before you start

A few quick things to check before you dive in:

• You’ll need access to the Settings app, which means you should be signed in with a standard or administrator account on the PC.
• Have the image you want to use saved somewhere on your device, such as your Pictures folder, if you plan to set a custom picture.
• The steps below apply to current versions of Windows 11. Menu wording can shift slightly between feature updates, but the overall location in Settings has stayed consistent.
• Changing the lock screen picture is different from changing your sign-in screen background in some managed or enterprise environments, where an administrator may control this setting through policy.

Change the lock screen picture in Windows 11

This is the main method and works for most home and personal PCs.

1. Select Start, then Settings (or press the Windows key and type Settings and press Enter).
2. Select Personalization in the left-hand menu.
3. Select Lock screen.
4. Under Personalize your lock screen, select the dropdown menu and choose Picture.
5. Select Browse photos and navigate to the image you want on your lock screen.
6. Choose the image, then select Choose picture to apply it.

Windows applies the change right away. Lock your PC (Windows key + L) to preview how it looks.

Use Windows Spotlight for a changing lock screen image

If you’d rather not pick a single picture, Windows Spotlight automatically cycles through curated images from Microsoft.

1. Open Settings and go to Personalization > Lock screen.
2. In the Personalize your lock screen dropdown, select Windows spotlight.
3. Windows will start showing a new image periodically. You can usually tell the app that you like or don’t like the current image using the on-screen options, which helps Windows tailor future choices.

Spotlight needs an internet connection to download new images, so if your PC is offline for a long time you may see the same picture repeat.

Set up a lock screen slideshow

A slideshow rotates through a folder of your own pictures instead of a single static image.

1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
2. Select Slideshow from the dropdown menu.
3. Select Browse to add a folder of images you want included in the rotation. You can add more than one folder if needed.
4. Scroll down to see additional slideshow options, such as whether to use images from folders synced with your account, and whether the slideshow should only run while your PC is plugged in.

This option is handy if you’ve got a folder of photos, wallpapers, or work images you want to cycle through automatically.

Change which app shows status on the lock screen

Windows 11 also lets you choose which app shows quick status details, like calendar appointments or weather, right on the lock screen itself.

1. Open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
2. Scroll down to find the lock screen status options.
3. Select the dropdown and choose an app, or select None if you’d rather keep the lock screen free of extra details.

This is a separate setting from the picture or slideshow, so you can mix and match: for example, a custom picture with weather status showing, or Spotlight with no status at all.

If it doesn’t work

The Personalization or Lock screen option is missing

On some managed work or school PCs, an administrator can restrict access to lock screen settings through policy. If the option is grayed out or missing entirely, check with your IT department, since this is often intentional on company-managed devices.

Your picture choice doesn’t save

Try picking a different image format, such as a standard JPG or PNG file, and make sure the file isn’t stored on a removable drive that could be disconnected. If the setting still won’t stick, sign out and back in, or restart your PC, then try again.

Windows Spotlight images aren’t changing

Spotlight needs an active internet connection to fetch new images. If you’ve been offline, connect to the internet and give it some time, or lock and unlock your PC again to prompt a refresh.

Slideshow isn’t picking up your folder

Double check that the folder you added actually contains supported image files and isn’t empty. Also confirm the slideshow toggle for running only on battery or AC power isn’t preventing it from showing, depending on how your laptop is plugged in.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use any photo as my Windows 11 lock screen?

Yes, you can browse to almost any image saved on your PC and set it as your lock screen picture through the Personalization settings. Just make sure it’s a common image format like JPG or PNG.

What’s the difference between the lock screen and the sign-in screen?

The lock screen appears when your PC is locked or waking from sleep, and it often shows the time, notifications, and status info. The sign-in screen is where you actually enter your password or PIN, and on some setups it can use a different background than the lock screen.

Does changing the lock screen also change my desktop wallpaper?

No, these are two separate settings in Windows 11. You can set a different picture for your lock screen and your desktop background independently from the Personalization section in Settings.

Why can’t I change the lock screen on my work PC?

If your device is managed by an organization, administrators can lock down personalization settings, including the lock screen, using group policy or device management tools. In that case, you’ll need to contact your IT support team rather than troubleshoot it yourself.

How do I turn off Windows Spotlight suggestions and tips?

From the same Lock screen settings page, scroll down to find options related to tips, tricks, and suggestions, and switch off anything you don’t want appearing over your lock screen image.

Related guides

• How to Change Brightness on Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)
• How to Bypass the Windows 11 Sign-In Screen
• How to Change the Administrator on Windows 11
• How to Activate Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)

Sources

• Windows client documentation (Microsoft Learn)
• Windows Documentation (Microsoft Learn)