How to Add or Remove Learn about this picture Icon
You can add or remove the “Learn about this picture” icon on your Windows 11 and Windows 10 desktop by adjusting a specific setting within the personalization options.
This “Learn about this picture” feature, primarily associated with Windows Spotlight, provides a quick way to get information about the background image displayed on your desktop.
For instance, if you are using the Windows Spotlight feature, this icon might appear, allowing you to instantly query Bing about the current image.
The "Learn about this picture" icon controls the desktop's look. Turning off the "Learn about this picture" icon hides picture details, showing only desktop icons for a neater screen. Turning on the "Learn about this picture" icon allows users to see picture details on the desktop. This option gives users a cleaner desktop or fast access to picture facts.
Manage the “Learn about this picture” icon through Windows Terminal using registry commands. Run specific ‘reg add’ commands as administrator to add it, or ‘reg delete’ commands to remove it.
Why Use This Feature?
When you choose Windows Spotlight as your desktop background, Windows automatically adds a Learn about this picture icon on your desktop. This icon gives you quick access to information about your background image.
What Can You Do With This Icon?
The Learn about this picture icon is a handy shortcut that lets you quickly find out more about the current Windows Spotlight image on your desktop.
You can right-click on the Learn about this picture desktop icon to:
- Select other pictures
- Vote to like or dislike the current picture
- Learn more about the current picture
- Minimize or maximize menu options
The icon can be dragged to any location you want on your desktop.
When Does the Icon Disappear?
If you choose a different picture, solid color, or slideshow instead of Windows Spotlight as your desktop background, the Learn about this picture icon will be removed.
Recent Changes to Windows Spotlight
Microsoft has recently changed how the Learn about this picture icon works in Windows 11, with different builds testing new ways to use it.
Windows 11 Build 22635.3785 (Beta): Microsoft tested new ways to interact with the Spotlight icon. Right-clicking launches the full Spotlight experience, while double-clicking opens the Bing landing page for the image.
Windows 11 Build 22631.4974 (23H2) and Later: The icon moved to the lower right area of your desktop. The icon color and background also changed. Now you can hover over or click the icon to see more information.
Windows 11 Build 26120.6690 (Dev 25H2): New options were added to the right-click menu. You can now see “Learn more about this background” and “Next desktop background” when you right-click on your desktop.
How to Add the Icon
- Run the command below to add the Learn about this picture desktop icon:Registry
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace{2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}" /ve /d "Windows Spotlight" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel" /v "{2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f - Press Enter
- Close Windows Terminal
- The icon should now appear on your desktop when Windows Spotlight is your background
How to Remove the Icon
Removing the Learn about this picture icon from your desktop is easy, and it only takes a moment to do.
- Run the commands below to remove the Learn about this picture desktop icon:Registry
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace{2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel" /v "{2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f - Press Enter
- Close Windows Terminal
- The icon will now be hidden from your desktop
Summary
The Learn about this picture icon is a handy tool that appears when you use Windows Spotlight, letting you easily get info about your background and manage it.
How to get rid of the learn about this picture icon?
You can get rid of the Learn about this picture icon by simply changing your desktop background away from Windows Spotlight to a solid color, picture, or slideshow.
Where can I find Learn about this picture icon?
You can find the Learn about this picture icon on your desktop automatically when Windows Spotlight is active as your background, usually in the top-right corner.
Where was the Windows wallpaper pic taken?
To find out where the Windows wallpaper picture was taken, right-click the Learn about this picture icon and choose ‘Learn more’ to see details on Bing.
How do I restore my icons back to normal?
Restoring your icons to normal usually means ensuring ‘Show desktop icons’ is checked in the View menu, or if you mean the Spotlight icon, changing your background settings.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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