Since its release back in 2021, Windows 11 has had several major updates from Microsoft that improved upon its core features and functionalities over Windows 10.
One of the more recent additions to Windows 11 Build 22000.706 happens to be the Windows Spotlight feature that includes a nifty collection of wallpapers for your desktop background.
For those users who aren’t familiar with the ways in which they can personalize their desktop backgrounds on the Windows Operating System, the following sections of this article will provide a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to enable Spotlight Wallpapers in Windows 11. Make sure that you go through the entire article to gain a better understanding of the intricacies of this feature.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
How Does the Windows Spotlight Feature Work on Windows 11?
Unlike most other features on Windows 11 that remain exclusive to its User Interface, the Windows Spotlight feature arrived for the first time in Windows 10 way back in 2015 and introduced a few cosmetic changes to its Lock Screen.
With an extensive assortment of generic background images, Windows Spotlight reinvigorated the overall appeal of the Windows Lock Screen by automatically updating its wallpapers on a daily basis.
Furthermore, the implementation of this feature also paved the way for Microsoft to promote its distinct set of product recommendations and services at periodic intervals.
Every time you boot up your PC, Windows Spotlight will display a wide variety of background images on the Lock Screen that showcase renowned locations or events across the globe.
With Windows 11 Build 22000.706 and above, Microsoft expanded upon the functionalities of Windows Spotlight by adding native support for this feature to the desktop environment as well.
Besides the Windows Lock Screen, users get the opportunity to witness a slew of gorgeous background images on their desktops every now and then.
How to Enable the Windows Spotlight Feature in Windows 11?
Before enabling the Windows Spotlight feature on your PC, ensure that Windows 11 has been updated to Build 22000.706 or higher. Follow the steps listed down below:
Step 1: From the Home Screen, click on the Start button and then on Settings. Alternatively, press the Windows+I keys on your keyboard to open up the Settings app.
Step 2: Navigate to System>About and click on Windows specifications from the available list of options.
Step 3: Look for an entry titled OS build and check the version to ensure that the Windows Spotlight feature has been added to your PC. If not, navigate to the Windows Update section and click on Check for updates.
After downloading and installing the latest updates on your PC, perform a system reboot to finalize the process.
To enable Spotlight Wallpapers on the latest version of Windows 11, follow the steps listed down below:
Step 1: From the Home Screen, click on the Start button and then on Settings. Alternatively, press the Windows+I keys on your keyboard to open up the Settings app.
Step 2: Navigate to Personalization>Background and look for an entry titled Personalize your background.
Step 3: Click on the drop-down menu beside Personalize your background and select Windows spotlight from the available list of options.
That’s it! Enabling this option will allow Windows 11 to change your desktop background to one of the images curated by the Windows Spotlight feature.
Alongside these transformations, you’ll also find a Camera icon near the top-right corner of your desktop that provides a handful of customization options for the current background image.
When you right-click on the Camera icon, a context menu will appear with the following set of options:
Open: To learn more about a specific desktop background, click on Open to bring up a new tab in Microsoft Edge that holds additional information about the image using the Bing Search Engine.
Switch to next picture: To change the existing background image on your desktop, click on Switch to next picture. Doing so will allow Windows Spotlight to display the next image from its slideshow.
I like this picture: If you come across a certain background image that compliments your setup, click on I like this picture to allow Windows Spotlight to display a similar set of images in the near future.
Not a fan of this picture: If you come across a certain background image that isn’t well-suited to your needs, click on Not a fan of this picture. Doing so will allow Windows Spotlight to switch to a new desktop background immediately and refrain from displaying any such images in the near future.
How to Disable the Windows Spotlight Feature in Windows 11?
If you aren’t a big fan of the Windows Spotlight feature and are looking for a quick and easy way to disable it entirely from your PC, follow the steps listed down below:
Step 1: From the Home Screen, click on the Start button and then on Settings. Alternatively, press the Windows+I keys on your keyboard to open up the Settings app
Step 2: Navigate to Personalization>Background and look for an entry titled Personalize your background.
Step 3: Click on the drop-down menu beside Personalize your background and select Picture from the available list of options.
That’s it! Enabling this option will terminate the Windows Spotlight feature in its entirety while replacing it with the default background image provided by Microsoft.
Personalize Your Desktop Background With Spotlight Wallpapers in Windows 11
Now that you’re well aware of the intricacies of the Windows Spotlight feature, you should be able to personalize your desktop background with an enormous collection of attractive wallpapers in just a few steps!
Hope you found this article helpful. For more definitive guides on the Windows Operating System, feel free to leave a comment down below.