Edition: Windows 10 Pro
Version: 20H2
OS Build: 19042.685
Every time I set a custom image to my Windows background, using either File Explorer right-context menu, Desktop right-context menu, or the "Background" section of Windows 10 Settings, the image resets to a black color only background within 60 seconds. I'm not sure why but it is frustrating. Can this be fixed?
right click on desktop and choose personalize from the drop down menu.
that's where you will find the setting mentioned above.
It is set to Picture and set to Stretch. I have this problem with Windows Nightlight staying configured from time to time as well. I have three Windows 10 PC's and the nightlight issue is present on all three. I'm assuming this is a Windows specific issue, versus my PC or inability to properly configure a setting sort of issue. I'm not even sure what to begin researching to see what might be the problem behind settings not staying configured properly.
That would be normal behaviour if Windows was not activated. Check that first in Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
Assuming your Windows is activated, if you sign in with a Microsoft Account then it may be syncing the desktop settings from another machine.
Turn On or Off Sync Settings for Microsoft Account in Windows 10
1. Syncing is off and greyed out. I can't even enable it.
2. I am using a Local Administrator account.
3. Windows says it is activated with a digital license.
Anything else I might check?
Syncing would be greyed out as you are using a local account, it's only available for Microsoft accounts...
Anything else I might check?
Clutching at straws here, but one thing that can be set to change the desktop every 60 seconds is when it is set for Slideshow rather than Picture. Try deliberately changing it to Slideshow. Is it set to change every minute? If so, try setting it to 10 minutes. Close settings, go back into Personalisation, change it back to Picture and choose you preferred desktop image. See if it will stick now that you have shaken up and reset the relevant settings.
If it still doesn't stick, try running SFC /ScanNow in a command prompt (Admin).
I did as you described but no luck with the Slideshow approach. It was set to 30 minutes. I set it to 1 Day just to alter the settings. Sadly, no luck. SFC did find corrupt files and reports fixing them. Afterwards the background image behavior remained.
I reset the background image again. I intended to open Explorer with Win+E but hit Win+D accidentally. The background image cleared. I tested it multiple times. Whether the keyboard shortcut or the taskbar shortcut, that is how my background image is being removed. If I don't activate that functionality my background picture stays indefinitely.
So... any ideas on why this is happening or what I can do about it?
Win+D minimises all open windows down to the taskbar, as does clicking on the far right of the taskbar. Click again and they will open again. What appears to be happening is not that the desktop is being set to a black image, it seems more likely that Windows is failing to repaint the desktop image when needed. That suggests a video driver problem. What video driver do you have? Is it up to date?
My driver was out of date (457.30), so I updated it (clean install) and restarted my computer. I am now using the latest driver (460.89) from NVIDIA's website but the problem still persists. Maybe it will fix itself in time. I hope so *fingers crossed*. My desktop backgrounds are one of the joys of my day at work (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
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