How to Set Windows Spotlight as Desktop Wallpaper
Windows Spotlight lets you set automatically changing desktop backgrounds using beautiful, curated images.
Windows Spotlight is a feature found in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that shows high-quality photos on your lock screen.
This guide shows you how to use those same Spotlight images as your permanent desktop background. Previously, these dynamic wallpapers were only visible when your computer was locked.
Now, you can easily choose any Spotlight image to liven up your desktop. You get to bring stunning professional photos directly to your PC.
Open Settings, go to Personalization, then Background, and select Windows Spotlight from the dropdown menu. This will set dynamic, high-quality images as your desktop wallpaper.
Why use Windows Spotlight?
Using Windows Spotlight keeps your desktop feeling fresh. Instead of looking at the same static image every day, your wallpaper will rotate through professional, high-quality photos automatically. It is a great way to discover new places without changing your settings manually.
What happens when you are done?
Once you finish these steps, your desktop background will switch to the Windows Spotlight theme. Your wallpaper will update periodically with new, high-quality images provided by Windows. You will enjoy a dynamic, 4K desktop background that changes daily.
Requirements
Steps to set Windows Spotlight as your wallpaper
- Open your computer's settings. Press Windows key + I on your keyboard, or click Start and select Settings.
windows 11 start menu settings updated - Click the Personalization tab on the left side of the screen.
windows 11 windows spotlight theme - In the Personalization menu, click Background.
- Under Personalize your background, select Windows Spotlight from the dropdown menu.
How to find and save Windows Spotlight images
You can find and save Windows Spotlight images by opening a special folder on your computer. Just copy and paste a specific path into File Explorer to see all the spotlight pictures that have been downloaded. This is how you can grab those beautiful images to use as your own Windows Spotlight desktop wallpaper.
- Open File Explorer and paste this path into the address bar:
%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets - You will see files with no extensions. Copy these files to a new folder on your desktop.
- Rename each file by adding
.jpgto the end (e.g.,image1.jpg). - You can now view these files and set them as your desktop wallpaper.
Troubleshooting: Why is my Windows Spotlight stuck?
If your Windows Spotlight images aren't changing, it usually means the picture files are stuck or corrupted. You can fix this Windows Spotlight stuck issue by clearing out the old files. This resets the spotlight system so it can download fresh pictures for your desktop.
del /f /s /q /a %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets\*
del /f /s /q /a %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Settings\*
Summary
By following these steps, you can turn your desktop into a gallery of global photography. We covered how to enable the feature, how to extract hidden files from the AppData folder, and how to fix common issues. Remember to check your Windows Insider status if the option is missing.
Where are Windows Spotlight images stored on my PC?
Windows Spotlight images are stored in the hidden AppData folder. You can access them by navigating to the LocalState\Assets folder within the Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager package directory. These files are saved as raw data, so you must add a .jpg file extension to view them properly as images.
Can I download Windows Spotlight images in 4K resolution?
Yes, many of the images cached in the Assets folder are available in high-definition or 4K resolution. By extracting the files from the system folder and converting them to JPEG format, you can save these high-quality photos to your personal collection and use them as permanent desktop backgrounds.
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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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