Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10  

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    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10

    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10

    How to Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    04 Jul 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10


    Windows Spotlight is an option for the lock screen background that displays different background images and occasionally offers suggestions on the lock screen from Bing. Windows Spotlight is available in all desktop editions of Windows 10.

    For example, Windows Spotlight will display different backgrounds daily that you can select that you like or don't like to help train the service to show you images you like. You could also see and try previews of other Windows features and experiences to help let you know about them.

    Sometimes you may notice that Windows Spotlight will stop working, or may get stuck on the same image.

    This tutorial will show you how to reset and re-register Windows Spotlight when it stops working or gets stuck on the same image for your account in Windows 10.


    Windows Spotlight will not work if connected to a metered network (ethernet or wireless), and/or while in Battery Saver mode.



    Here's How:

    1 If you haven't already, make sure that the Microsoft Edge (only if listed), Microsoft Store, and Settings apps are turned on in background apps so they can run in the background for Windows Spotlight images. (see screenshot below)

    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10-background_apps.jpg

    2 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Personalization icon.

    3 Click/tap on Lock screen on the left side, select to temporarily use a Picture or Slideshow as your lock screen background instead of Windows spotlight in the drop down under Background on the right side, and close Settings. (see screenshot below)

    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10-lock_screen_background-1.jpg

    4 Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.

    Reset_and_re-register_Windows_Spotlight.bat

    Download

    The .bat file will delete all files in the two folders below to reset Windows Spotlight, and then will re-register Windows Spotlight for the current account.


    Code:
    :: Reset Windows Spotlight
    DEL /F /S /Q /A "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets"
    DEL /F /S /Q /A "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Settings"
    
    :: Re-register Windows Spotlight
    PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *ContentDeliveryManager*).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}"

    5 Save the .bat file to your desktop.

    6 Unblock the .bat file, and run the .bat file.

    7 Restart the computer to apply.

    8 After you sign back in to Windows with your account, open Settings, and click/tap on the Personalization icon.

    9 Click/tap on Lock screen on the left side, select to use Windows spotlight in the drop down under Background on the right side as your lock screen background again, and close Settings. (see screenshot below)

    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10-lock_screen_background-2.jpg

    10 Lock the computer Win + L to see if Windows Spotlight is working properly again.

    Sometimes it may take 24 to 48 hours after resetting for Windows Spotlight to sync again.




    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 2,539
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       #1

    Thanks Brink. Works well to ensure Spotlight will work correctly after restoring an image.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,672
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    I'm glad it could help. :)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 575
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    Hi Shawn,

    I ran this bat file in Windows 10 16232 and I cannot see any image on Spotlight. Switching from Picture to Spotlight just shows spinning circle forever. Checked Content Delivery Asset folder and it has updated with all files showing today's date but Windows can't seem to sort it out. If I leave Personalization with it set to Spotlight and come back it shows a black image.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #4

    I was looking for something like this as my lock screen has been stuck on the same image for ages.

    However when I run it in cmd prompt (elevated) I get this:

    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10-lockscreenerror.png
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 68,672
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    swarfega said:
    I was looking for something like this as my lock screen has been stuck on the same image for ages.

    However when I run it in cmd prompt (elevated) I get this:
    Hey Nick, :)

    If you like, see if using Option 2 below to rate the Windows Spotlight image with "Not a fan" may change it for you.

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


  6. Posts : 68,672
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    tracit99 said:
    Hi Shawn,

    I ran this bat file in Windows 10 16232 and I cannot see any image on Spotlight. Switching from Picture to Spotlight just shows spinning circle forever. Checked Content Delivery Asset folder and it has updated with all files showing today's date but Windows can't seem to sort it out. If I leave Personalization with it set to Spotlight and come back it shows a black image.
    Hello tracit, :)

    Is this even after restarting the computer?
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 575
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    Shawn this is 90 minutes after a restart. "Like what you see?" was missing on the lock screen. That is what started me down this road.

    PS Slideshow is not working either.

    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10-spotlight.jpg

    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10-spotlight-2.jpg

    Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 10-spotlight-3.jpg
    Last edited by tracit99; 15 Jul 2017 at 11:08.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #8

    Brink said:
    Hey Nick, :)

    If you like, see if using Option 2 below to rate the Windows Spotlight image with "Not a fan" may change it for you.

    Rate Windows Spotlight Background Images on Lock Screen in Windows 10 Windows 10 Customization Tutorials
    Thanks for the suggestion. Trouble is, the stuck image is a good one, but I want change lol.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 68,672
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    swarfega said:
    Thanks for the suggestion. Trouble is, the stuck image is a good one, but I want change lol.
    LOL, I hear that. Did it change for you?
      My Computers


 

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