How to Enable or Disable Lock Screen Slideshow in Windows 11

This tutorial shows you how to turn the lock screen slideshow on or off in Windows 11. A slideshow on your lock screen means pictures automatically play when your PC starts up or when you lock it.

Why do this? You might want to disable the slideshow if it uses too much battery power on a laptop. Or you might want to enable it to make your lock screen more interesting.

What is the lock screen? The lock screen is the first screen you see when you start your PC or when you press Win+L to lock it. You have to dismiss this screen to see the sign-in screen and sign in to Windows.

You can personalize your lock screen background in three ways: Windows Spotlight, a single picture, or a slideshow.

⚠️ Admin Required: You must be signed in as an administrator to change these settings. If you have two or more monitors, the lock screen only shows on your main display.

Option One: Using Local Group Policy Editor

Note: This method only works on Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Use Option Two if you have Windows 11 Home edition.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the search box and pressing Enter. ⚠️ Admin Required
2. In the left pane, navigate to this path:
   
   
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization

To Enable Lock Screen Slideshow (Default Setting)

3. Find Allow Cloud Content in the right pane.
4. Select (dot) Not Configured.

To Disable Lock Screen Slideshow

5. Find Allow Cloud Content in the right pane.
6. Select (dot) Enabled.

7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

Option Two: Using Registry and Windows Terminal

This method works on all Windows 10 and Windows 11 editions, including Home.

To Enable Lock Screen Slideshow (Default Setting)

1. Open Windows Terminal as administrator. ⚠️ Admin Required
2. Run this command:
   reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization" /v NoLockScreenSlideshow /f
3. Close Windows Terminal when done.

To Disable Lock Screen Slideshow

1. Open Windows Terminal as administrator. ⚠️ Admin Required
2. Run this command:
   reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization" /v NoLockScreenSlideshow /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
3. Close Windows Terminal when done.

Summary

You now know two ways to turn the lock screen slideshow on or off in Windows. Option One uses the Local Group Policy Editor, which is quick and simple but only works on Pro and Enterprise editions. Option Two uses Windows Terminal and the registry, which works on all editions including Home. Choose the method that works best for your version of Windows.