The fastest way to change your desktop background

Right-click on any empty space on your desktop—not on a file or folder, but on the bare background itself. A menu will appear. Click Personalize at the bottom of that menu. Windows will open the Settings app directly to the background section, where you can choose a new image or solid color in seconds.

If right-clicking does not work, you can reach the same place by opening Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings"), then clicking Personalization on the left side, then Background. Both routes take you to the same screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click your desktop and select Personalize to reach the background settings in one step.
  • Windows 10 comes with built-in background images, or you can use any image file saved on your computer.
  • You can set a solid color, a single image, or a slideshow that rotates through multiple images.
  • Images you choose are stored in your Pictures folder by default, but you can browse to any folder on your computer.

Using Windows 10's built-in background images

Once you are in the Personalization > Background section, look at the top where it says Background. Click the dropdown menu that currently shows "Picture" (or "Solid color" or "Slideshow"). Make sure "Picture" is selected.

Below that, you will see a row of thumbnail images—these are Windows 10's default backgrounds. Click any one to set it as your desktop background when ready. The change takes effect right away; you do not need to restart your computer or click a Save button.

If you want to see more built-in images, scroll down in that thumbnail row. Windows includes landscapes, abstract designs, and solid colors. Hover over any image to see its name.

Using your own photos as the background

To use a photo from your computer, open the Personalization > Background section and make sure "Picture" is selected at the top. Below the default thumbnails, click the button that says Browse. A file browser window will open.

Navigate to the folder where your image is stored. Most people keep photos in the Pictures folder, which opens by default. Select the image you want and click Choose this image. The image will appear on your desktop when ready.

Windows accepts common image formats: JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF. If you have an image in a different format, you can convert it using free online tools or image editing software before setting it as your background.

Setting a solid color background

If you prefer a plain background instead of an image, click the dropdown at the top of the Personalization > Background section and select Solid color. A palette of colors will appear below.

Click any color to set it as your background. If you want a color that is not in the palette, click the Custom color button. A color picker will open where you can choose from millions of shades by entering specific numbers or clicking in a color square.

Creating a slideshow that changes automatically

To rotate through multiple images automatically, go to Personalization > Background and click the dropdown at the top. Select Slideshow. Windows will ask you which folder to use. Click Browse and select a folder that contains several images.

Below the folder selection, you will see Change picture every with a time interval. The default is 30 minutes. Click the dropdown to change it to 1 minute, 10 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, or another interval. Your background will switch to the next image in that folder at the interval you choose.

If you want the images to appear in random order instead of alphabetical order, toggle the Shuffle switch to On. The slideshow will continue running even when your computer is locked or in sleep mode.

Adjusting how the image fits your screen

After you choose an image, scroll down in the Personalization > Background section to find Choose a fit. This controls how Windows displays the image on your screen. The options are:

  • Fill—stretches the image to cover the entire screen; parts of the image may be cut off if the proportions do not match your monitor.
  • Fit—shrinks the image to fit your entire screen without cutting anything off; you may see empty space on the sides or top and bottom.
  • Stretch—stretches the image to fill the screen, which may distort it if the proportions are very different from your monitor.
  • Tile—repeats the image in a grid pattern to fill the screen; useful for small images or patterns.
  • Center—places the image in the middle of your screen at its original size; empty space appears around it.

Click the fit option that looks best for your image. The preview on your screen updates when ready so you can see the result before you close the settings.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your background does not change after you select a new image, make sure you are clicking on the image itself to confirm your choice, not just hovering over it. Also check that you are not in a restricted user account—some accounts have limited permission to change system settings. If you are the account owner, you should be able to change the background.

If an image you want to use does not appear in the Browse window, the file may be in a different folder than you expect. Use the file browser to search for it, or check the file properties to see where it is stored. You can move the image to your Pictures folder and then select it from there.

If your slideshow is not changing images, make sure the folder you selected actually contains image files. If the folder is empty or contains only non-image files, Windows will not cycle through anything. Also verify that the time interval is set to something other than "Never"—if you accidentally selected that option, the slideshow will not advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an image from the internet as my background?

Yes. Right-click the image on a website and select "Save image as" or "read image". Choose where to save it on your computer, then follow the steps above to set it as your background. Make sure you have permission to use the image—many images online are copyrighted.

What if I want different backgrounds on multiple monitors?

Windows 10 does not have a built-in feature to set different backgrounds on each monitor. All monitors will display the same background. Some third-party tools allow per-monitor backgrounds, but they require separate software.

How do I get back to the default Windows background?

Open Personalization > Background, click the dropdown at the top, and select "Picture". Then click one of the default Windows images in the thumbnail row. The Windows Spotlight image (a rotating collection of scenic photos) is also available in the dropdown at the top if you want automatic variety.

Can I schedule my background to change at a specific time?

The slideshow feature changes images at a fixed interval you set, but Windows 10 does not have a built-in scheduler to change backgrounds at specific times of day. The slideshow is the closest option—set it to change every hour or every few hours for variety throughout the day.

Why is my image blurry or pixelated on my desktop?

The image resolution may be too low for your monitor. High-resolution monitors need larger image files to display clearly. Try using an image that is at least as wide and tall as your monitor's resolution (for example, 1920×1080 for a standard monitor). You can check your monitor's resolution in Personalization > Display.