Your lock screen is the first thing you see every time you wake up your Windows PC, sign out, or restart your computer. Instead of looking at the default Windows background every day, you can personalize it with your favorite photo, a beautiful landscape, family pictures, or even a slideshow that changes automatically.
Whether you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, Microsoft makes it easy to customize the lock screen in just a few minutes. You can choose a single image, enable Windows Spotlight to display stunning images from Microsoft, or create a slideshow using pictures stored on your computer.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to change the lock screen wallpaper in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
What is Lock Screen Wallpaper in Windows?
The lock screen appears before you sign in to Windows. It displays the current wallpaper, date, time, notifications from selected apps, and other useful information. It is different from your desktop wallpaper, which appears only after you’ve logged into Windows.
Windows gives you three main ways to customize your lock screen.
- The first option is Windows Spotlight, which automatically downloads beautiful images from Microsoft.
- The second option is Picture, where you manually select a single image that remains on your lock screen.
- The third option is Slideshow, which automatically rotates through multiple pictures stored in one or more folders.
Choosing the right option depends on whether you prefer a static background or changing images every day.
Changing Lock Screen Wallpaper in Windows 11/10
To change the lock screen wallpaper in Windows 11 or Windows 10, open the Settings app, go to Personalization, select Lock screen, choose Picture, Slideshow, or Windows Spotlight, then select your preferred image or folder. Your new lock screen wallpaper will appear the next time your PC is locked.
Let’s learn in detail!
Step 1: Open the Windows Personalization Settings
The first step is opening the Personalization settings, where all wallpaper and theme options are located.
Click the Start button and open Settings. In Windows 11, you can also press Windows + I on your keyboard to launch the Settings app instantly. Once Settings opens, select Personalization from the menu on the left side.
If you’re using Windows 10, open Settings, then click Personalization. The overall layout looks slightly different, but the available options are very similar.
Inside the Personalization section, you’ll find settings for Background, Themes, Colors, Fonts, Taskbar, and Lock screen.
Click Lock screen to continue.
This page controls everything related to your Windows lock screen, including the wallpaper, widgets, notifications, and screen timeout options.
Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Lock Screen Background Type
After opening the Lock screen settings, you’ll see a drop-down menu labeled Personalize your lock screen.
Click the drop-down menu.
You’ll normally see three available options.
1. Windows Spotlight
This option automatically downloads new, high-quality wallpapers from Microsoft. The images change regularly, giving your computer a fresh look without any effort from you.
Many users choose Windows Spotlight because it provides professional photography from around the world and requires no manual updates.
2. Picture
If you’d rather use your own favorite image, select Picture.
This option lets you choose a single photo that stays on your lock screen until you replace it.
3. Slideshow
Choose Slideshow if you want Windows to rotate multiple images automatically.
This option is perfect if you have vacation photos, family pictures, nature photography, or wallpapers that you’d like to cycle through throughout the day.
Select whichever option best fits your personal preference before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Select Your Lock Screen Wallpaper
If you’ve selected Picture, Windows displays several built-in wallpapers underneath the menu.
You can choose one of Microsoft’s included backgrounds or click Browse Photos.
When the File Explorer window opens, navigate to the folder containing your desired image.
Select the image and click Choose Picture.
Windows immediately applies your selected photo as the new lock screen wallpaper.
For the best appearance, choose a high-resolution image that closely matches your monitor’s resolution. Clear images with a landscape orientation usually produce the best results.
If your image appears stretched or blurry, consider selecting a higher quality version of the same picture.
Step 4: Set Up a Lock Screen Slideshow
If you selected Slideshow, Windows allows you to create a rotating collection of wallpapers.
Click Add a folder.
Browse to the folder containing the pictures you want Windows to display.
Once selected, Windows automatically cycles through every compatible image inside that folder.
You can create a dedicated wallpaper folder that contains only the images you’d like to see on your lock screen.
Scrolling farther down reveals additional slideshow settings.
You can choose whether Windows uses pictures from your camera roll, whether images should shuffle, and whether the slideshow continues while your computer is running on battery power.
These settings help you balance personalization with battery life on laptops.
Step 5: Enable Windows Spotlight
If you selected Windows Spotlight, Windows begins downloading featured images from Microsoft’s servers.
The first image may appear immediately, though Windows may need a little time to download new wallpapers.
Every few days, Windows automatically updates your lock screen with fresh photography featuring mountains, beaches, wildlife, cities, and other scenic locations.
You’ll occasionally see small questions asking whether you like a particular image. Answering these questions helps Windows understand your preferences and improve future image recommendations.
Because Windows Spotlight depends on an internet connection, make sure your PC is connected to the internet if new images aren’t appearing.
Step 6: Customize Lock Screen Notifications
While you’re already in the Lock screen settings, it’s worth reviewing the available notification options.
Windows allows certain apps to display useful information before you sign in.
Depending on your Windows version, you can choose whether to display weather information, calendar reminders, email notifications, or other app updates.
If privacy is important, you can reduce the amount of information shown on the lock screen by disabling unnecessary notifications.
This helps protect sensitive information whenever your computer is locked in public places.
Step 7: Preview Your New Lock Screen
Once you’ve finished customizing everything, it’s time to see the results.
Press Windows + L on your keyboard.
Your computer immediately locks and displays your newly selected lock screen wallpaper.
You can also sign out or restart your computer to confirm that everything looks exactly as expected.
If you’re using a slideshow, leave the computer locked for a while or unlock it multiple times to watch Windows rotate through different images.
If the wallpaper doesn’t update immediately, restarting your PC often refreshes the lock screen settings.
Troubleshooting Lock Screen Wallpaper Issues
Sometimes your selected wallpaper may not appear correctly.
If the lock screen continues showing the old wallpaper, first restart your computer.
Next, verify that you’ve selected Picture, Slideshow, or Windows Spotlight correctly inside the Lock screen settings.
If Windows Spotlight isn’t updating, make sure your internet connection is working properly.
Also check whether your organization or administrator has applied a Group Policy that prevents personalization changes.
If you’re using a local account, signing into your Microsoft account can sometimes improve Windows Spotlight functionality.
Finally, make sure your Windows installation is fully updated since Microsoft occasionally fixes personalization bugs through Windows Update.
FAQs
Can I use my own photo as the lock screen wallpaper?
Yes. Select Picture, click Browse Photos, choose any supported image stored on your computer, and Windows will use it as your lock screen wallpaper.
Is the lock screen wallpaper different from the desktop wallpaper?
Yes. The lock screen wallpaper appears before you sign in, while the desktop wallpaper appears after you’ve logged into Windows.
Does Windows Spotlight require an internet connection?
Yes. Windows Spotlight downloads new images from Microsoft, so your computer needs internet access to receive updated wallpapers.
Can I use multiple images on the lock screen?
Yes. Choose Slideshow, add a folder containing your favorite pictures, and Windows will automatically rotate through them.
Why won’t my lock screen wallpaper change?
This may happen because of incorrect personalization settings, outdated Windows updates, disabled Windows Spotlight services, or organization policies that restrict personalization.
Does changing the lock screen wallpaper affect system performance?
No. Changing your lock screen wallpaper has virtually no impact on overall system performance. Even slideshow mode uses very few system resources on modern Windows PCs.
Summary
Changing the lock screen wallpaper in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is one of the easiest ways to personalize your PC. Whether you choose a favorite family photo, a beautiful landscape, a rotating slideshow, or Microsoft’s Windows Spotlight, Windows provides flexible options to match your style.
By navigating to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, you can quickly select your preferred background type, customize slideshow behavior, manage lock screen notifications, and preview the finished result. If you ever experience problems, simple troubleshooting steps like checking your personalization settings, verifying your internet connection, or restarting your PC can usually resolve them.
Once you’ve customized your lock screen, every time you wake your computer or sign in, you’ll be greeted by a background that reflects your personality and makes using your Windows PC a little more enjoyable.