Change Desktop Background in Windows 10  

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    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10

    How to Change Desktop Background to Picture, Solid Color, or Slideshow in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    16 Feb 2024
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Change Desktop Background to Picture, Solid Color, Slideshow, or Spotlight in Windows 10


    Your desktop background (also called wallpaper) can be a picture from your personal collection or included with Windows, a solid color, slideshow playing selected pictures randomly on all displays, or Windows Spotlight.

    Starting with Windows 10 build 19045.4116 (RP), Microsoft adds Desktop Spotlight to your desktop background. Just one click or tap of the icon on your desktop takes you to Bing, where you can explore the world one picture at a time.

    This tutorial will show you different ways to change the desktop background wallpaper to a picture, solid color, or slideshow for your user account in Windows 10.

    When high contrast is turned on, the desktop background is automatically set to use a solid color by default, but you can still set the desktop background to use a picture or slideshow.

    If you turned off showing your desktop background, then your desktop will only show a solid black background no matter what you set in this tutorial.

    Using an image that is the same size as the screen resolution of your display(s) will give you the best looking results for your desktop background.

    If you have multiple displays arranged in a row, then using a widescreen picture that is close to the combined horizontal screen resolution of all displays will give you the best looking results. For example, a 5760 x 1080 image looks great as across three 1920 x 1080 monitors. Your results may vary.


    A copy of your current desktop background image is located in the folder below.

    %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\CachedFiles

    The default wallpapers are in the folders below.
    C:\Windows\Web\4K\Wallpaper\Windows
    C:\Windows\Web\Screen
    C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper

    If you like, you can get free desktop backgrounds from Microsoft here: Desktop backgrounds - Microsoft Windows


    You will need to activate Windows before you can personalize your PC.

    Folders in File Explorer will automatically refresh when you have both Automatically pick a color from my background and Desktop Slideshow turned on.

    When both these options are turned on, the shell sends a refresh message to all File Explorer windows every time the wallpaper changes for the slideshow, causing folders to refresh the views. This can be an annoying issue. For example, if you're scrolling in a folder to only have the scroll bar refresh back to the top after a refresh.



    Contents

    • Option One: Change Desktop Background to Picture using "Set as background" in Internet Explorer
    • Option Two: Change Desktop Background to Picture using "Set as Desktop Background" in Firefox
    • Option Three: Change Desktop Background to Picture using "Set as desktop background" in File Explorer
    • Option Four: Change Desktop Background to Picture using "Set as background" in Photos app
    • Option Five: Turn On or Off to Sync your Desktop Background with your Microsoft account
    • Option Six: Change Desktop Background Wallpaper to Picture, Solid Color, Slideshow, or Windows Spotlight in Settings
    • Option Seven: Change Desktop Background Wallpaper to Picture, Solid Color, or Slideshow in Control Panel






    OPTION ONE

    Change Desktop Background to Picture using "Set as background" in Internet Explorer


    The image you "Set as background" in Internet Explorer for your display(s) will be saved (cached) as the Internet Explorer Wallpaper.bmp file in the hidden %AppData%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer folder.

    The image will use your current Picture position settings in Personalization from OPTION SIX below.


    1 While in Internet Explorer, right click or press and hold on an image you want as your desktop background, and click/tap on Set as background. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-ie_set_as_background.png

    2 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-ie_set_as_background-2.png






    OPTION TWO

    To Change Desktop Background to Picture using "Set as Desktop Background" in Firefox


    The image you "Set as Desktop Background" in Firefox for your display(s) will be saved (cached) as the Desktop Background.bmp file in the hidden %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox folder.


    1 While in Firefox, right click or press and hold on an image you want as your desktop background, and click/tap on Set As Desktop Background. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-firefox_set_as_desktop_background-1.png

    2 Select the Position and Color (for background around image), and click/tap on Set Desktop Background. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-firefox_set_as_desktop_background-2.png






    OPTION THREE

    To Change Desktop Background to Picture using "Set as desktop background" in File Explorer


    The selected image(s) will use your current Picture position, Change picture every, and Shuffle settings in Personalization from OPTION FIVE.


    1 While in File Explorer, do step 2 or step 3 below for what you want.


     2. To Set Single Image as Wallpaper for Desktop Background of All Displays

    A) Right click or press and hold on a single image, and click/tap on Next desktop background or Set as desktop background. (see screenshot below)

    OR

    B) Select a single image, click/tap on the Manage (Picture Tools) tab, and click/tap on Set as background in the ribbon.

     3. To Set Images as Slide Show for Desktop Background of All Displays

    A) Select more than one image in the same folder, right click or press and hold on one of the selected images, and click/tap on Next desktop background or Set as desktop background. (see screenshot below)

    OR

    B) Select more than one image in the same folder, click/tap on the Manage (Picture Tools) tab, and click/tap on Set as background in the ribbon.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-set_as_desktop_background.png






    OPTION FOUR

    To Change Desktop Background to Picture using "Set as background" in Photos app


    1 While you have an image you want as your desktop background opened in the Photos app, click/tap on the More Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-more.png button, click/tap on Set as, and click/tap on Set as background. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-photos_app_set_as_background.jpg






    OPTION FIVE

    Turn On or Off to Sync your Desktop Background with your Microsoft account


    This option requires that you sign in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account.

    If you turn on the Theme sync setting, then your desktop background will be kept synced on all Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 PCs and devices that you sign in to with the same Microsoft account.

    A copy of the synced image file will be saved (cached) to your PC or device in the hidden folder below.

    %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\RoamedThemeFiles\DesktopBackground







    OPTION SIX

    To Change Desktop Background Wallpaper to Picture, Solid Color, Slideshow, or Windows Spotlight in Settings


    If you have not activated Windows 10 yet, then you will not be able to use this option to change your desktop background until you activate.


    1 Do step 2 or step 3 below for how you would like to open Personalization.

    2 Open Settings, click/tap on the Personalization icon, and go to step 4 below.

    3 Right click or press and hold on your desktop, click/tap on Personalize, and go to step 4 below.

    4 Do step 5 (picture), step 6 (solid color), step 7 (slideshow), or step 8 (Windows spotlight) below for what you want to choose as your desktop background.


     5. To Choose a Picture as your Desktop Background

    Starting with Windows 10 build 21337 and later, you can now customize the backgrounds for each of your Virtual Desktops.


    A) Select Picture in the Background drop down menu on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    B) Under Choose your picture, click/tap on one of the five recent or default images you want as your background.

    If you like, you can click/tap on Browse, navigate to and select an image you want, and click/tap on Choose picture.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_picture_browse.png


    C) Under Choose a fit, select to have the picture fill, fit, stretch, tile, center, or span on your displays.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_picture.png


     6. To Choose a Solid Color as your Desktop Background

    The solid color setting is stored as the Background string value in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors registry key.


    A) Select Solid color in the Background drop down menu on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    B) Under Choose your background color, click/tap on a color you want as your desktop background.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_color-1.jpg

    If you would like to use a custom color instead, then click/tap on Custom color. Pick a background color you want using the slider and clicking on a color, and click/tap on Done when finished.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_color-2.jpg


     7. To Choose a Slideshow as your Desktop Background

    A) Select Slideshow in the Background drop down menu on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_slideshow-1.jpg

    B) Click/tap on the Browse button, navigate to and select a folder that contains pictures you want for the slideshow, and click/tap on Choose this folder. (see screenshots below)

    This will automatically replace your previously chosen folder.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_slideshow-2.png
    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_slide_show_add_folder.png

    C) Under Change picture every, select how often you want to change pictures in the slide show. (see screenshots below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_slideshow-3.png
    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-change_picture_every.png

    D) Turn on or off Shuffle for what you want. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_slideshow-4.png

    E) Turn On (default) or Off Allow slideshow when on batter power for what you want. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_slideshow-5.png

    F) Under Choose a fit, select to have the pictures in the slide show fill, fit, stretch, tile, center, or span on your displays. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background_slideshow-6.png
    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-choose_a_fit.png

    G) Open the advanced power options for your selected power plan. Under Desktop background settings set Slide show as Available or Paused for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-power_options_desktop_background_settings.png

    To Turn On or Off Shuffle, and Set Custom Time Interval to Change Picture:

    1) Press the Win+R keys to open Registry Editor.

    2) In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Personalization\Desktop Slideshow

    3) In the right pane of Desktop Slideshow, double click/tap on the Shuffle DWORD to modify it. Enter the data value below you want, and click/tap on OK.

    0 = off
    1 = on

    4) In the right pane of Desktop Slideshow, double click/tap on the Interval DWORD to modify it. Select (dot) Decimal, enter how many milliseconds (1000 milliseconds = 1 second) you want, and click/tap on OK.

    5) Restart explorer to apply.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_slideshow_registry.png



     8. To Choose Windows Spotlight as your Desktop Background

    The options is only available starting with Windows 10 build 19045.4116 (RP).


    A) Select Windows spotlight in the Background drop down menu on the right side. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-windows_spotlight_desktop_background-settings.png






    OPTION SEVEN

    To Change Desktop Background Wallpaper to Picture, Solid Color, or Slideshow in Control Panel


    If you have not activated Windows 10 yet, then you will not be able to use this option to change your desktop background until you activate.


    1 Open Desktop Background by running the command below in the Run (Win+R) dialog.

    explorer shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921} -Microsoft.Personalization\pageWallpaper


    2 Do step 3 (solid color), step 4 (all monitors), step 5 (specific monitors), or step 6 (slide show) below for your desktop background.


     3. To Set Solid Color as Desktop Background for All Monitors

    A) To the right of Picture location, select Solid Colors from the drop down menu. (see screenshot below)

    B) Select a color you want, and and go to step 8 below.

    OR

    C) Click/tap on More at the bottom left, select a custom color, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_solid_color.png


     4. To Set Picture as Desktop Background for All Monitors

    A) To the right of Picture location, either click/tap on the drop down menu arrow to select a picture folder location, or click/tap on the Browse button to navigate to and select a picture folder location. (see screenshot below)

    B) Click/tap on an image you want to select (check), and go to step 7 below. (see

    OR

    C) Right click or press and hold on an image, click/tap on either Set as desktop background (one monitor) or Set for all monitors (multiple monitors), and go to step 7 below.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background-1.jpg


     5. To Set Picture as Desktop Background for Specific Monitors

    A) To the right of Picture location, either click/tap on the drop down menu arrow to select a picture folder location, or click/tap on the Browse button to navigate to and select a picture folder location. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background-1.jpg

    B) Right click or press and hold on an image you want, and click/tap on Set for monitor #. (see screenshot below)

    C) Repeat the step above if you have more monitors that you would like to set a specific picture for.

    D) When finished, go to step 7 below.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background-2.jpg


     6. To Set Slideshow as Desktop Background for All Monitors

    A) To the right of Picture location, either click/tap on the drop down menu arrow to select a picture folder location, or click/tap on the Browse button to navigate to and select a picture folder location. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-desktop_background-1.jpg

    B) Select (check) as many pictures that you would like to be included in the slide show.

    C) Set the Change picture every time option for how often you would like the pictures in the slide show to change.

    D) Check the Shuffle box if you would like the selected pictures to be played randomly in the slide show.

    E) If you like, and if available, check the When using battery power, pause the slide show to save power box.

    F) Open the advanced power options for your selected power plan. Under Desktop background settings set Slide show as Available or Paused for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-power_options_desktop_background_settings.png

    G) Go to step 7 below.

    7 Under Picture position, click/tap on Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, or Center for how you want the selected picture(s) to show on the desktop background.

    8 When finished, click/tap on Save changes.


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 68,667
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #1

    Option Five in tutorial has been updated for Windows 10 build 10074. :)

    New Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10074 now available
    Last edited by Brink; 29 Apr 2015 at 17:44. Reason: link
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 16,623
    Windows 11 Pro X64
       #2

    That was fast, thanks!
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 68,667
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3

      My Computers


  4. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #4

    Thanks for the tutorial Shawn.. very good as usual. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 44
    Windows 10
       #5

    In Option 6, Solid Background Colour, I cannot find any way of choosing a considerably paler colour than the significantly-dark defaults.

    For example, in Windows 7 I use a very pale Cyan : 0xE6FFFF

    Any ideas, please?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 44
    Windows 10
       #6

    JohnGray said:
    In Option 6, Solid Background Colour, I cannot find any way of choosing a considerably paler colour than the significantly-dark defaults.

    For example, in Windows 7 I use a very pale Cyan : 0xE6FFFF

    Any ideas, please?
    I used Regedit, to set HKCU\Control Panel\Colors value Background to 230 255 255

    But surely there must be a better and more permanent way?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       #7

    JohnGray said:
    I used Regedit, to set HKCU\Control Panel\Colors value Background to 230 255 255

    But surely there must be a better and more permanent way?
    Make a copy in your own resolution in 'Paint' and save it as your own.

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-000022.png

    (Or, snap this one up!)

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-pale-cyan.png
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 44
    Windows 10
       #8

    Thank you! I'd have been just as happy if Microsoft had continued to allow the background colour choice between 65536 colours that you could do simply in Windows 7...
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       #9

    JohnGray said:
    Thank you! I'd have been just as happy if Microsoft had continued to allow the background colour choice between 65536 colours that you could do simply in Windows 7...
    Okay, add Shawn's 'Personalization Classic' to your desktop right click context menu:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6...dows-10-a.html

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-000023.png

    then go to 'Desktop Background'/'Solid Colors':

    Change Desktop Background in Windows 10-000024.png
      My Computer


 

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