Nothing is quite as impersonal and boring as the generic background already loaded on your computer. Whether it’s a drop of water or a landscape view of a place you’ve never been, it’s time to change it to something more reflective of you.
Difficulty
What You Need
Backiee — Wallpaper Studio 10
This guide shows you how to change thewallpaperof your Windows 10 desktop using a few simple steps. We’ll also show you how to change the background for the lock and sign-in screens. Want to use a third-party app instead? We have a favorite to recommend.
Change your wallpaper
Step 1:Right-click anywhere on the desktop, and selectPersonalizeon the pop-up menu. The Settings app should open to thePersonalizationsection by default and display your background options. This screen will look different in Windows 11 but the same options will be available.
Alternatively, you can click on theStartbutton followed by the gear icon displayed on theStartmenu to open the Settings app. There you can selectPersonalization.
Step 2:Click the drop-down menu underneathBackgroundand select one of three options:Picture,Solid Color, orSlideshow. In this example, we selectedPicture. If you choseSlideshoworSolid Color, move on to the next sections. In Windows 11, you’ll start by clicking theBackgroundsection.
Step 3:Select a thumbnail displayed underChoose Your Picture, and it automatically replaces your background. If the desired image isn’t displayed, move on to step 4.
Step 4:Click theBrowsebutton.
Step 5:WhenFile Explorerappears on the screen, locate the image you want to use and click theChoose Picturebutton. It’s now set as your background.
Step 6:Click the drop-down menu underneathChoose a Fitand select one of six options:Fill,Fit,Stretch,Tile,Center, orSpan.
If you have more than one connected monitor, you can set a different background for each one. Let’s continue on and change the second display.
Step 7:With Settings still open, right-click on a thumbnail displayed underChoose Your Picture.
Step 8:Select theSet for Monitor 2option on the pop-up menu.
Step 9:Rinse and repeat for any additional screen.
Note: To use multiple wallpapers, you’ll need to add each picture to the thumbnail ribbon by clicking theBrowsebutton and selecting an image. This image fills display 1, so you’ll need to reset that screen’s wallpaper each time you add an image to the thumbnail ribbon.
Slideshow options
If you choseSlideshow, you have a different set of options. Keep in mind that if you have more than one display, a different wallpaper will appear on each one. Again, the Windows 11 interface will look a bit different but the general process is the same.
Step 1:Click theBrowsebutton and locate the folder containing the images you want to use as wallpapers. You do not need to select the images individually.
Step 2:Click the drop-down menu underneathChange Picture Everyand select one of six options spanning one minute to one day.
Step 3:Toggle theShufflefeature on or off.
Step 4:Enable or disable the slideshow when running on battery power.
Step 5:Click the drop-down menu underneathChoose a Fitand select one of six options:Fill,Fit,Stretch,Tile,Center, orSpan.
Solid color options
If you chose a solid color, your only options are to select one of 25 color swatches or click thePlusbutton next toCustom Colorand create a background color.
Change your lock screen/sign-in screen
While you’re able to change the wallpaper for both the lock and sign-in screens, you can also choose what appears on each one. As you adjust the wallpaper, you’ll see options to select an app that can show its detailed status and select seven additional apps to show their quick status. Leave these blank if you don’t want anything appearing on your lock and sign-in screens.
Step 1:Right-click on the desktop and selectPersonalizeon the pop-up menu. The Settings app should open to thePersonalizationsection by default and display your background options.
Alternatively, you’re able to click on theStartbutton followed by the gear icon displayed on the Start menu to open the Settings app. There you can selectPersonalization.
Step 2:Select theLock Screentab listed on the left. In Windows 11, you’ll want to start by clicking on theLock Screensection.
Step 3:On the right, click the drop-down menu underBackgroundand select one of three options:Windows Spotlight,Picture, orSlideshow. In this example, we chosePicture.
Step 4:you may either choose one of the preset images by selecting one of the thumbnails provided underChoose Your Picture. Or you can click the Browse button.
Step 5:If you choose theBrowsebutton, File Explorer appears on the screen. Locate the image you want to use and click theChoose Picturebutton. It’s now set as your background.
Note: If you choseSlideshow, click thePlussymbol next toAdd a Folderto select the folder holding your images. You do not need to choose a picture when you selectWindows Spotlight.
Step 6:You can access an optional feature by selecting the toggle that appears next toShow Lock Screen Background Picture on the Sign-In Screen. This is a great thing to do if you want to replicate the lock screen’s background on the sign-in screen.
Use Backiee — Wallpaper Studio 10
If you’re the type of person who loves switching up your background pictures, a third-party app may be the best option for you (especially if you’d like to do this with minimal effort).
One of the most popular isBackiee — Wallpaper Studio 10. This impressive app gives you the chance to explore a medley of creative and modern wallpapers starring fantastic resolutions maxing out at 8K. you may do whatever you please with one of these sweet designs; feature one of them on your lock screen or add one to your desktop. And that’s not even half of it — this app also integrates directly with Bing, giving you the opportunity to peruse through photos without even popping your browser window open.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to deal with some annoying ads if you opt for the free version. However, you’re able to remove them by spending a small fee that starts at $1.49 per month.
