Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10

Brink · 15 Jul 2017

tracit99 said:

I did not knowingly. I never remove any Windows apps and I do not tinker with telemetry. This build 16232 was upgraded from a clean installed of build 16199. I noticed from the beginning that something was never quite right with 16199. In the Task Manager Service Host usually has 16 to 24 items grouped together, but that is not the case in 16199 or the upgraded 16232. So I think it is time for a clean install of 16232.

I found the problem with Slideshow which was Windows Search service was disabled. I did that and I had forgotten that it is required for Slideshow to work.

That's a start for the slideshow option.

I read that some folks reported having Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing checked in Visual Effects fixed the Windows Spotlight black screen issue. You might give it a try to see if it may for you as well.

tracit99 · 15 Jul 2017

Hello Shawn,

Yeah when I started the Windows Search Service that fixed the Slideshow issue. I did a clean install of 16232 and Spotlight behaves the same as it did in my original 16232. Once I switch to Picture and back Spotlight I never get any image back. Just a never ending spinning circle. So I don't know what is going on.

The grouping of the Task Manager items is normal on 16199 and 16232. The grouping I was not seeing was because the system had not run long enough. So I am back to my original 16232 thanks to Macrium Reflect. I will just live with the way Spotlight is for now.

lepa71 · 23 Oct 2017

I'm having similar issue. I can only get one image to show up. Airplane with red wing. I have tried everything and no go. I'm on 10.0.15063 Pro.

Any suggestions?

Brink · 23 Oct 2017

Hello @lepa71, :)

Have you already tried rating the Spotlight image with "Not a fan" to see if it may change?

Rate Windows Spotlight Background Images on Lock Screen in Windows 10 Customization Tutorials

lepa71 · 24 Oct 2017

I don't get any spotlight images. There no "Like it" or "Not fan" links at all on lock screen. Also. the "Asset" folder is completely empty.

Bree · 24 Oct 2017

lepa71 said:

...the "Asset" folder is completely empty.

Do you have a metered connection? If so, turn it off for a while and see what happens (it shouldn't take long for some 'assets' to appear). Spotlight will not download photos over a metered connection. Once it has downloaded some you can turn metered connections back on - Spotlight will work, but may quickly run out of new photos (then you can turn metering off again for a while).

lepa71 · 24 Oct 2017

Nope. I checked. No metered connections here.

Brink · 24 Oct 2017

Just to verify, are you testing this on the lock screen when you lock (Win+L) the computer, and not at startup?

Personally, I've always found Windows Spotlight to be a bit buggy and not always change often or include the tips and such on it.

lepa71 · 24 Oct 2017

Yes, I'm testing on lock screen win+L. I don't think it's working at all. There is no sign of it on lock screen.

Brink · 24 Oct 2017

The only other thing I can suggest is to update to the latest version 1709 build 16299.19 of Windows 10 to see if that can fix it for you.

Update to Latest Version of Windows 10 using Update Assistant Installation Upgrade Tutorials