The fastest way to change your desktop background

Right-click on any empty space on your desktop — not on an icon or the taskbar — and select Personalize from the menu that appears. Windows opens the Settings app to the Background page. Click the dropdown that says Picture, choose Picture again if it is not already selected, then click Browse to find an image file on your computer. Select the image and click Choose picture. The background changes when ready.

If you want to use one of Windows' built-in backgrounds instead, click the dropdown, select Picture, and scroll through the thumbnails shown under "Recent images" or "Windows Spotlight images". Click any thumbnail to explore it. You do not need to browse or confirm — the change takes effect as soon as you click.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the desktop, select Personalize, and use the Browse button to pick any image file stored on your computer.
  • Windows includes built-in backgrounds you can explore without browsing — just click a thumbnail in the Background settings.
  • You can set the background to fit the screen, fill it, stretch it, or tile it by changing the "Choose a fit" dropdown.
  • If you want a slideshow that cycles through multiple images, select Slideshow from the dropdown instead of Picture.

Where to find image files on your computer

When you click Browse in the Background settings, Windows opens a file browser. Most image files are stored in the Pictures folder, which appears in the left sidebar. Double-click Pictures to open it. If you have organized images into subfolders — such as Vacation or Screenshots — double-click the folder name to open it.

You can also navigate to any other location where you have saved images. If you downloaded an image from the internet, check your Downloads folder. If a friend sent you an image by email, it may be in a folder you created for that purpose. Once you find the image you want, click it once to select it, then click Choose picture at the bottom right.

Adjusting how the image fits on your screen

After you select an image, the Choose a fit dropdown controls how Windows displays it. The options are Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, and Center. Most people use Fill, which makes the image cover the entire screen without distorting it — though parts of the image may be cut off if the image proportions do not match your monitor.

Fit shrinks or enlarges the image to show all of it without cutting anything off, but may leave colored bars on the sides or top and bottom. Stretch forces the image to cover the screen exactly, which can make it look distorted if the proportions are very different. Tile repeats a small image across the screen like a pattern. Center displays the image at its original size in the middle of the screen. Choose whichever looks best to you — you can change it anytime.

Using a slideshow instead of a single image

If you want your background to change automatically, open the Background settings the same way — right-click the desktop and select Personalize. Click the dropdown that currently says Picture and select Slideshow. Click Browse to choose a folder that contains multiple images. Windows will cycle through all the images in that folder.

The Change picture every dropdown controls how long each image stays on screen before the next one appears. Your options range from 1 minute to 1 day. You can also choose whether the images appear in order or in random order by clicking the Shuffle toggle. If you want the slideshow to keep running even when your computer is locked, turn on the When using battery power, show lock screen instead toggle — though this uses more battery on laptops.

Changing the accent color that appears in menus and windows

The Background page also has a Choose your accent color section. This controls the color that appears in window title bars, the Start menu, and other interface elements. You can select from preset colors or click Custom color to pick any color you want. This setting is separate from your background image — changing one does not affect the other.

If you want Windows to pick an accent color automatically based on your background image, turn on the Automatically pick an accent color from my background toggle. Windows analyzes the dominant colors in your background and applies one to the interface. You can still change it manually anytime by clicking a different color.

Troubleshooting background changes that do not stick

If you change your background but it reverts to the previous one after you restart your computer, the image file may have been moved or deleted. Windows cannot display a background if the file no longer exists in the location you selected. Choose a different image and make sure it is stored in a permanent location — not in a Downloads folder you plan to empty, and not on an external drive you disconnect.

If the Personalize option does not appear when you right-click the desktop, you may be using a restricted account. Log in with an administrator account and try again. If you are using a work computer managed by your organization, your IT department may have locked the background settings. Contact them to request permission to change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo from my phone as my desktop background?

Yes. Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable, or email the photo to yourself and read it. Once the image file is on your computer, follow the normal steps to browse for it in the Background settings. Make sure the file is saved in a location like Pictures or Downloads, not in a temporary folder.

What image formats does Windows 10 accept?

Windows accepts JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF files. Most photos are JPG files. If you have an image in a different format, you can convert it using free online tools or image editing software, then save it as one of these formats.

Why does my background look blurry or pixelated?

The image resolution is too low for your screen size. High-resolution monitors need larger image files. If the image is smaller than your screen resolution, Windows stretches it, which makes it look blurry. Use an image that is at least as large as your monitor's resolution — for example, 1920 by 1080 pixels for a standard monitor.

Can I set different backgrounds for each monitor if I have two screens?

Windows 10 applies the same background to all connected monitors. You cannot set different images for each screen using the built-in settings. Third-party tools exist that allow this, but they require additional software installation.

How do I remove a background and go back to a solid color?

Open the Background settings, click the dropdown that says Picture, and select Solid color. Click the color box to choose any color you want. The background becomes that solid color instead of an image.