How to restore Win10 start screen pictures?


  1. Posts : 116
    win 10 professional
       #1

    How to restore Win10 start screen pictures?


    I noticed that my Windows folder was around 21GB over a year ago.
    I decided to remove much of the bloatware and used the Github debloater.
    It worked extremely well, removing much of the tracking data and nonsense such as using Edge for pdf files rather than Adobe Acrobat.

    Unfortunately, it also removed the high quality pics that Microsoft sends to the start screen.
    Does anyone know how to restore that facility, please?
    Many thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #2
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #3

    You could try
    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10

    but note that Spotlight is easily damaged.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 116
    win 10 professional
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I've tried both suggestions, but no luck so far.
    I get a blank screen, in the colour of my choice, with the time and date at the left side in large type.
    I press the spacebar on the keyboard which brings up the central box for logon password and then everything loads as normal.
    I'm just missing the initial high resolution images at the very start.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #5

    Thank you for your reply.


    Once broken, it's hard to fix. I suggest, given the degree to which you may have made changes, you opt for one of the other options.

    Otherwise you'd need to try an in-place upgrade repair install which keeps all progs and data but may well undo some of your changes.

    When hacking the O/S proceed carefully. Use disk imaging - as is so so very often recommended here for routine and regular use- and make notes on your changes. Also use system restore points. Then, when you break something, you have a chance of recovery without struggling and needing to seek help.

    Macrium Reflect (free is usually good enough) + external storage for image files.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 116
    win 10 professional
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thank you.
    I'm wary of doing anything potentially critical.
    As you may see on my previous posts, I ended up bricking a perfectly good PC by inadvertently messing about with Acronis.
    I'll leave it as is. Thanks again.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #7

    Macrium tends to be more straightforward - a targetted program - whereas Acronis used to be good but has expanded over the years.

    You may find that Spotlight is fixed on the next full feature update (not one like 1909 or 20H2).
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 2,539
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       #8

    If using the Spotlight fix (& remembering to change Spotlight to picture before running this) dind’t work then try an in-place repair:
    Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 116
    win 10 professional
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I know I'm a bit of a "dog with a bone" type when something has been annoying me.
    I've finally solved the problem, after 6 weeks of fiddling.
    The solution to not getting the spotlight pictures on the lockscreen was:
    C:/
    Users
    Me
    App Data
    Local
    Packages
    Microsoft.windows.content delivery packages
    Settings

    Delete everything in that folder
    Exit.

    I can see now that the Github debloater had written something in that folder and it was preventing my HD pics on the lockscreen. Now OK.
    Thanks everyone for your help.
    My next problem is to make myself look 40 years younger. That might take more than 6 weeks.
      My Computer


 

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