The quickest way to change your lock screen background

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Personalization in the left menu. Select Lock screen from the options. Under "Personalize your lock screen," you'll see a dropdown that says Windows spotlight, Picture, or Slideshow. Choose Picture if you want a single image, then click the box below it to browse your computer and select the photo you want.

If you prefer a rotating collection of images instead, select Slideshow and add folders containing your photos. Windows will cycle through them each time your lock screen appears. The Windows spotlight option shows rotating Bing images and is the default—you don't need to do anything to use it.

Key Takeaways

  • The lock screen wallpaper is changed through Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, not through the desktop wallpaper menu.
  • You can use a single picture, a rotating slideshow from your own folders, or Windows spotlight images—each option is a separate choice in the same menu.
  • Any image file on your computer works, but Windows recommends at least 1920 × 1080 pixels so it displays clearly on your screen.
  • The lock screen background is separate from your desktop background, so changing one does not affect the other.

Choosing between Picture, Slideshow, and Windows Spotlight

Picture is the simplest option if you have one image you want to see every time you lock your computer. After you select Picture from the dropdown, click the image box below it, browse to a folder on your computer, and click the photo. Windows saves your choice when ready—you don't need to click a separate Save button.

Slideshow lets you point Windows to a folder full of images, and it will rotate through them on your lock screen. Click the dropdown, select Slideshow, then click "Browse" to choose which folder to pull images from. You can add multiple folders if you want. Windows will cycle through all the images in those folders in order.

Windows spotlight is the default and requires no setup. It pulls rotating images from Bing and shows them on your lock screen. If you want to go back to this after choosing a picture or slideshow, just select it from the dropdown again.

Finding and preparing images for your lock screen

Any image file stored on your computer works—JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF are all supported. The image should be at least 1920 × 1080 pixels wide to display clearly without blurring or stretching, though Windows will resize smaller images to fit. If you're using a photo from your phone or camera, it's usually already large enough.

If you want to use images from the web, read them to a folder first—your Pictures folder is a common choice. Right-click the image on a website, select "Save image as," and choose where to save it. Then go back to Settings and browse to that folder when selecting your lock screen picture.

For a slideshow, create a new folder and move all the images you want to rotate into it. This keeps them organized and makes it straightforward to add or remove images later—just add or delete files from that folder, and Windows will update the slideshow automatically.

Adjusting lock screen settings beyond the background

While you're in the Lock screen settings, you can control what information appears on top of your wallpaper. Scroll down to see options like Show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen—turning this on displays your chosen image on the login screen too, not just the lock screen.

You can also manage which apps show notifications on your lock screen. Under "App notifications," toggle individual apps on or off to decide whether their alerts appear when your screen is locked. This doesn't affect notifications in general—only what you see on the lock screen itself.

Troubleshooting if your image won't appear

If you select a picture but it doesn't show up, the image file may be corrupted or in an unsupported format. Try a different image first to see if the problem is with that specific file. If a different image works, the original file may need to be replaced.

If no images appear at all, make sure you're in the right Settings menu. The lock screen wallpaper is under Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, not under Background (which controls your desktop). Also check that the folder you're using for a slideshow actually contains image files—if Windows can't find any supported images, the slideshow won't display.

Sometimes Windows needs a moment to explore changes. If you've just selected a new image and it hasn't appeared yet, lock your screen manually by pressing Windows key + L to see the update. If it still doesn't show after locking and unlocking, restart your computer.

The difference between lock screen and desktop wallpaper

Your lock screen wallpaper and your desktop background are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other. The lock screen is what you see when your computer is locked or when you first turn it on before you sign in. The desktop background is what you see after you sign in and are using your computer.

If you want to change your desktop background instead, go to Settings > Personalization > Background. That menu has its own picture and slideshow options. Many people like to use the same image for both, but you can choose different images for each if you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Windows 11 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 moving background effect, use the Slideshow option with multiple images instead, though they won't animate smoothly like a video would.

Why does my image look stretched or blurry on the lock screen?

This usually happens when the image is smaller than your screen resolution. Use an image that is at least 1920 × 1080 pixels. If you're using a very old photo or a screenshot, it may be too small. You can check an image's size by right-clicking it, selecting Properties, and looking at the dimensions.

Can I set different lock screen wallpapers for different user accounts?

Yes. Each user account on your computer has its own Settings, so you can sign into a different account and change the lock screen wallpaper independently. When that account locks, it will show the wallpaper you chose for it. The changes don't affect other accounts.

Does changing the lock screen wallpaper affect my sign-in screen?

Not by default. Your sign-in screen (the screen where you enter your password) usually shows a generic Windows background. However, if you turn on "Show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen" in the Lock screen settings, your chosen wallpaper will appear there too.

What happens to my lock screen wallpaper if I reset Windows 11?

A full reset of Windows 11 will return your lock screen to the default Windows spotlight setting. If you want to keep using a custom image, save it somewhere safe outside your Windows folder, and you can re-select it after the reset is complete.