Disable Windows Spotlight on Windows 11
Windows 11 comes with several personalization features that make your computer look more attractive. One of these features is Windows Spotlight, which automatically displays beautiful wallpapers, scenic landscapes, and other images on your desktop or lock screen. It can also show helpful facts, tips, and suggestions related to the displayed images.
Although Windows Spotlight is a nice feature, not everyone wants to use it. You might prefer a simple background, want to display your favorite family photo, or get tired of seeing Windows change your wallpaper automatically. In some cases, you may also want to reduce the number of tips and suggestions that appear on your desktop.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to turn off Windows Spotlight, change your desktop background, and disable Spotlight on the lock screen.
Disable Windows Spotlight on Windows 11
To disable Windows Spotlight on Windows 11, open Settings by pressing Windows + I. Select Personalization > Background, open the background drop-down menu, and choose Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow instead of Windows Spotlight. To disable Spotlight on the lock screen, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and change the lock screen personalization option from Windows Spotlight to Picture or Slideshow.
Windows 11 provides separate personalization settings for your desktop background and lock screen. This means disabling Spotlight in one place won’t necessarily turn it off in the other.
Follow the appropriate steps below to disable it completely or only where you don’t want it.
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
First, open the Windows Settings app. This is where you’ll find most of the options for customizing your desktop, changing your wallpaper, and managing Windows personalization features.
Press Windows + I on your keyboard. Hold down the Windows key, press the letter I, and then release both keys. The Settings window should open automatically.
Alternatively, click the Start button on your taskbar and select Settings from the Start menu. If you don’t see Settings immediately, type Settings into the search box and select the matching result.
Once the Settings app opens, look at the navigation panel on the left side of the window. You’ll see several categories, including System, Bluetooth & devices, Network & internet, and Personalization.
Click Personalization to access the options that control how Windows 11 looks.
Don’t worry if your Settings window looks slightly different from the one shown in an online tutorial. Windows updates sometimes change the layout, but the main personalization options should still be available.
Step 2: Open the Background Settings
After selecting Personalization, you’ll see different options for customizing your Windows experience. These may include Background, Colors, Themes, Fonts, Start, and Taskbar.
Click Background to open the desktop background settings.
On this page, Windows 11 lets you choose how your desktop wallpaper appears. Depending on your current configuration, you may see an image, a solid color, a slideshow, or a Windows Spotlight image.
Look for the drop-down menu next to the Personalize your background option. This menu controls the type of background Windows displays on your desktop.
If Windows Spotlight is currently enabled, the menu will show Windows Spotlight as the selected option.
You don’t need to change any other settings at this stage. The next step will let you replace Spotlight with a background style that suits your preferences.
Step 3: Turn Off Windows Spotlight on the Desktop
Now that you’ve opened the Background settings, you can disable Windows Spotlight.
Click the drop-down menu next to Personalize your background. Windows 11 will display several available options, typically including Windows Spotlight, Picture, Solid color, and Slideshow.
Select Picture if you want to use a specific wallpaper on your desktop.
After choosing Picture, Windows will display a selection of available images or an option to browse for a picture stored on your computer. You can select one of the suggested images or click Browse photos to choose your own wallpaper.
For example, if you have a favorite landscape photo saved in your Pictures folder, select Browse photos, locate the image, and click Choose picture.
Your selected image will become the desktop background, and Windows Spotlight will no longer automatically replace it while Picture remains selected.
If you prefer a plain background without any photos, select Solid color instead. Windows will let you choose a color for your desktop.
You can also choose Slideshow if you’d like Windows to rotate through a collection of pictures saved on your computer. You’ll generally need to select a folder containing the images you want to use.
Choose the option that works best for you. If your goal is to keep the same wallpaper every day, Picture is usually the easiest choice.
Step 4: Disable Windows Spotlight on the Lock Screen
Changing the desktop background doesn’t automatically disable Windows Spotlight on the lock screen. These are separate settings in Windows 11.
The lock screen is the screen you see before signing in to your computer. Depending on your settings, it may display an image, the date and time, notifications, and other information.
To turn off Spotlight on the lock screen, return to the main Settings window by clicking the back arrow or selecting Personalization from the left navigation panel.
Next, click Lock screen.
Find the drop-down menu labeled Personalize your lock screen. If Windows Spotlight is enabled for the lock screen, this menu will show Windows Spotlight as the selected option.
Click the menu and choose Picture to use a single lock screen image.
Windows 11 may display a default picture or let you browse for a photo stored on your computer. Select the image you want to use.
You may also see a Slideshow option, which lets Windows rotate through pictures from a selected folder.
Once you’ve selected Picture or Slideshow, Windows Spotlight will no longer control the lock screen background while that alternative remains selected.
If you want to disable Spotlight on both the desktop and lock screen, make sure you’ve completed Steps 3 and 4. Changing only one setting isn’t enough to turn it off everywhere.
Step 5: Turn Off Lock Screen Tips and Suggestions
Even after changing your lock screen background, you may want to review the additional information Windows displays.
On the Settings > Personalization > Lock screen page, look for an option labeled Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen.
If this option is available, turn it off to reduce the tips and suggestions displayed on the lock screen.
Keep in mind that the availability and wording of this setting can vary by Windows 11 version. Some versions may not display the option in the same location.
Also, turning off lock screen tips is different from disabling Windows Spotlight itself. If your goal is to stop Spotlight images from appearing, make sure the main lock screen personalization setting is changed to Picture or Slideshow.
After making the changes, close Settings. Windows will save your personalization choices automatically.
Step 6: Check Whether Windows Spotlight Is Disabled
Now it’s time to confirm that Windows Spotlight is no longer controlling your backgrounds.
First, minimize your open windows or press Windows + D to show the desktop. Check whether your selected wallpaper appears.
If you chose Picture, your selected image should be displayed instead of the automatically changing Spotlight background.
Next, press Windows + L to lock your computer. This will take you to the Windows lock screen without signing you out.
Check whether the lock screen displays the picture you selected. If it does, Spotlight has been replaced on the lock screen as well.
If you still see an old image, don’t assume the setting failed immediately. Windows may temporarily retain a previously downloaded image or take a little time to refresh the display.
Unlock your computer, revisit the relevant personalization settings, and confirm that Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow is selected instead of Windows Spotlight.
If necessary, restart your computer and check again.
FAQs
1. Can I completely disable Windows Spotlight on Windows 11?
Yes. You can disable Windows Spotlight for your desktop by selecting Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow under Settings > Personalization > Background. You can disable it on the lock screen separately by changing the setting under Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
2. Why does Windows Spotlight keep changing my wallpaper?
This usually happens because Windows Spotlight is still selected as your desktop background. Open Background settings and choose Picture or another available background option. Also, check whether you’re changing the desktop background rather than the separate lock screen setting.
3. Will disabling Windows Spotlight improve my computer’s performance?
For most computers, disabling Windows Spotlight won’t make a noticeable difference in overall performance. However, it can stop Windows from using Spotlight to manage your desktop background. If you’re experiencing slow performance, other factors, such as startup apps, low storage space, or background processes, may be more important.
4. Can I disable Windows Spotlight without changing my wallpaper?
Not exactly if you want to stop Spotlight from controlling your background. You’ll need to select an alternative background type. You can still keep the same appearance by choosing Picture and selecting your current favorite wallpaper.
5. Is Windows Spotlight available on every Windows 11 computer?
Availability can vary depending on your Windows 11 version, device configuration, and organizational policies. If you don’t see the Windows Spotlight option, install available Windows updates and check your personalization settings again. On a work or school computer, an administrator may control certain personalization features.
6. Does disabling Windows Spotlight delete downloaded images?
No. Changing your background setting doesn’t normally delete Spotlight images that Windows has already downloaded. It simply stops Windows Spotlight from controlling the relevant background. You don’t need to delete cached files to disable the feature.
7. Can I turn Windows Spotlight back on later?
Yes. Open Settings > Personalization > Background and select Windows Spotlight from the background menu. To restore it on the lock screen, open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and select Windows Spotlight there.
Summary
Windows Spotlight is a useful Windows 11 feature, but you don’t have to use it if you prefer a personalized desktop or lock screen. You can disable it directly through the Settings app without downloading additional software.
To turn off Spotlight on your desktop, open Settings > Personalization > Background and select Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow. To disable it on your lock screen, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and choose Picture or Slideshow instead.
Remember that the desktop and lock screen have separate settings. If you want to stop Windows Spotlight from appearing in both places, update both options and verify the results.
That’s it.