The fastest way to change your lock screen

Open Settings, go to Personalization, then Lock screen, and choose a new background image or slideshow. Windows lets you pick from built-in images, upload your own photos, or set a slideshow that rotates through a folder. The change takes effect the next time you lock your computer or it locks automatically.

You do not need administrator rights or any special software. The whole process takes under two minutes if you already know which image you want to use.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app is the only tool you need — search for "lock screen" in the Windows search bar to jump straight there.
  • You can use a single image, a Windows-supplied image, or a slideshow that cycles through photos in a folder you choose.
  • Changes appear when ready the next time your screen locks, whether you lock it manually or Windows locks it after inactivity.
  • If you want to hide the lock screen entirely and go straight to the login screen, that option is also in the same Settings menu.

Opening Settings and finding the lock screen menu

Press the Windows key and type "lock screen" — the Settings app will show "Lock screen settings" as the first result. Click it. On Windows 11, you land directly on the Personalization > Lock screen page. On Windows 10, you may see a slightly different layout, but the options are in the same place.

If you prefer to navigate manually, open Settings (Windows key + I), click Personalization on the left sidebar, then click Lock screen. Either route takes you to the same page.

Choosing a background image

Under "Personalize your lock screen," you will see a dropdown menu that says "Windows spotlight," "Picture," or "Slideshow." Click the dropdown and select Picture. A row of thumbnail images appears below — these are built-in Windows images you can use when ready by clicking one.

To use your own photo instead, click the "Browse" button below the thumbnails. Navigate to the folder where your image is stored, select it, and click Choose picture. Windows accepts JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF files. The image will stretch or shrink to fit your screen, so a photo wider than it is tall usually works best.

Setting up a slideshow instead of a single image

If you want your lock screen to show different photos each time it appears, select Slideshow from the dropdown instead of Picture. A new option called "Get photos from" appears, with a Browse button next to it.

Click Browse and select a folder that contains the images you want to cycle through. Windows will rotate through every image in that folder, changing to the next one each time the lock screen appears. You can also set how long each image stays on screen — look for the "Advanced slideshow settings" option and adjust the timing there.

Hiding the lock screen entirely

If you do not want a lock screen at all and prefer to go straight to the login screen when you wake your computer, scroll down on the Lock screen settings page and toggle off "Show lock screen." Your computer will skip the lock screen and take you directly to the password entry field.

This is a personal preference — some people find it faster, others prefer the lock screen for security or aesthetics. You can turn it back on anytime by returning to the same toggle.

Troubleshooting a lock screen that will not change

If you selected a new image but the lock screen still shows the old one, lock your computer manually (Windows key + L) or wait for it to lock due to inactivity. The change does not appear until the lock screen actually displays. If it still shows the old image after locking, restart your computer — Windows sometimes needs a restart to explore personalization changes.

If the Browse button is grayed out or you cannot select an image, make sure you have read and write permissions for the folder containing the image. Right-click the image file, select Properties, go to the Security tab, and confirm your user account has Full Control. If you are using a work or school computer, your administrator may have restricted lock screen changes — contact your IT department to request the permission.

What happens to your lock screen settings when Windows updates

Major Windows updates sometimes reset personalization settings, including your lock screen choice. If your lock screen reverts to the default after an update, you can change it again using the same steps. Windows does not delete your custom image — it just resets the setting that points to it, so you will not need to re-upload the photo.

To avoid losing your preference, keep a note of which image or folder you selected. That way, if an update resets it, you can quickly navigate back to the same choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or animated GIF as my lock screen background?

Windows lock screen does not support video or animated GIFs — only static images. If you upload an animated GIF, Windows will display only the first frame. For a slideshow effect, use the Slideshow option instead and point it to a folder of still images.

Will changing my lock screen affect my desktop background?

No. Your lock screen and desktop background are separate settings. You can change one without touching the other. The lock screen appears when your computer is locked or asleep; the desktop background is what you see when you are logged in and using your computer.

What image size or resolution works best for a lock screen?

Windows will resize any image to fit your screen, so the exact size does not matter. Images wider than they are tall (landscape orientation) usually look better because most monitors are wider than they are tall. Avoid very small images — they will look blurry when stretched to fill your screen.

Can I set a different lock screen for each user account on my computer?

Yes. Each user account has its own lock screen settings. When you log in to your account and change the lock screen, it only affects that account. Other users on the same computer can set their own lock screens independently.

How do I remove a lock screen image and go back to the default?

Open Lock screen settings, click the dropdown, and select "Windows spotlight" instead of Picture or Slideshow. This returns your lock screen to the rotating default images that come with Windows. You can switch back to a custom image anytime.