The fastest way to change your background

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Personalization in the left menu, then click Background. Choose Picture from the dropdown menu at the top, then click Browse to select an image file from your computer. Windows will explore it when ready.

If you want to use one of Windows' built-in backgrounds instead, select Picture from the dropdown, and a gallery of default images appears below. Click any one to set it as your background right away — no browsing needed.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the standard way to change your background, and the change takes effect when ready without restarting.
  • You can use any image file on your computer — JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF files all work — as long as you know where it is saved.
  • Windows includes a collection of built-in backgrounds you can choose from without leaving the Settings app.
  • If you right-click an image file on your desktop or in File Explorer, you can set it as your background directly without opening Settings.

Using the Settings app step by step

Press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo) and type "settings" without quotes. The Settings app will appear at the top of the search results. Click it to open.

On the left side of the Settings window, find and click Personalization. If you do not see it when ready, scroll down the left menu. Once you click Personalization, a submenu appears on the left with options like Background, Colors, and Lock screen.

Click Background in that submenu. At the top of the main panel, you will see a dropdown menu that currently says Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow. Make sure Picture is selected.

Below that dropdown, click the Browse button. A file browser window opens. Navigate to the folder where your image is saved — usually Pictures, Downloads, or Desktop. Click the image you want, then click Choose picture. Your background changes when ready.

Right-click method for faster access

If an image is already on your desktop or open in File Explorer, you do not need to open Settings at all. Right-click the image file directly and look for an option that says Set as desktop background or Set as background. Click it, and Windows applies the image right away.

This method works for most image types — JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF. If you do not see the right-click option, the file may be in an unsupported format, and you will need to use the Settings method instead.

Using Windows' built-in background collection

Windows 10 comes with a selection of default backgrounds you can use without finding your own image. Open Settings, go to Personalization, and click Background. Make sure Picture is selected in the dropdown at the top.

Below the Browse button, you will see a row of thumbnail images. These are Windows' built-in backgrounds. Click any one to set it as your desktop background when ready. You can scroll left and right to see more options. No file browsing is necessary.

Choosing a slideshow instead of a single image

If you want your background to change automatically, you can set up a slideshow. Open Settings, go to Personalization, and click Background. In the dropdown at the top, select Slideshow instead of Picture.

Click Browse and select a folder that contains multiple images. Windows will cycle through all the images in that folder at an interval you choose — the default is 30 minutes. You can change the interval by clicking the dropdown below the Browse button and selecting a different time period.

Adjusting how your image fits the screen

After you choose an image, you may notice it does not fit your screen the way you want. Scroll down in the Background settings window until you see the Choose a fit dropdown. Your options are:

  • Fill — stretches the image to cover the entire screen, which may crop parts of the image.
  • Fit — shrinks the image to fit the screen without cropping, which may leave empty space on the sides or top and bottom.
  • Stretch — stretches the image to fill the screen, which may distort it if the image is a different shape than your monitor.
  • Tile — repeats the image in a grid pattern to fill the screen.
  • Center — places the image in the middle of the screen at its original size, leaving empty space around it.

Most people choose Fill or Fit. Fill works best for images that match your screen's width-to-height ratio, while Fit is safer if you are unsure.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your background does not change after you select an image, close the Settings app completely and open it again. Sometimes the change does not display until you refresh the window. If the problem persists, restart your computer.

If you cannot find the Browse button or the Background option is grayed out, you may be using a work or school account with restrictions. Contact your IT department to ask whether background changes are allowed on your account. If you are using a personal account and the option is still unavailable, try restarting Windows in Safe Mode and changing the background there, then restarting normally.

If an image file does not appear in the file browser when you click Browse, the file may be in an unsupported format. Windows 10 supports JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and TIFF files. If your image is in a different format, open it in a free tool like Paint and save it as a JPG or PNG file instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video as my desktop background?

Windows 10 does not support video files as static backgrounds through the standard Settings method. However, you can use a slideshow of still images instead, or read third-party software that adds video background support. The built-in slideshow feature is the easiest alternative.

What image size works best for a desktop background?

The best size matches your monitor's resolution — for example, 1920 by 1080 pixels for a standard 1080p monitor. If your image is smaller, it may look blurry when stretched to fill the screen. If it is larger, Windows will shrink it automatically. Most images from the internet work fine as long as they are at least 800 by 600 pixels.

Will changing my background slow down my computer?

No. A static background uses almost no processing power. A slideshow uses slightly more because Windows has to load new images periodically, but the difference is too small to notice on any modern computer. You can safely use either option without worrying about performance.

How do I change the background on my lock screen instead of my desktop?

Open Settings, go to Personalization, and click Lock screen instead of Background. You can choose a picture, slideshow, or Windows Spotlight (which rotates images automatically). The process is the same as changing your desktop background.

Can I set a different background for each monitor if I have multiple screens?

Windows 10 applies the same background to all connected monitors. If you want different backgrounds on each screen, you will need to use third-party software designed for multi-monitor setups. The built-in Settings app does not offer per-monitor background control.