How to Enable or Disable Spotlight Images on Lock Screen in Windows 11 or 10?

Windows 11 and 10 both include a spotlight feature that automatically downloads and displays Bing pictures on your lock screen. However, Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22518 also displays the spotlight images on desktop backgrounds. This spotlight feature changes your desktop background automatically every day.

In this gearupwindows article, we will guide you on enabling spotlight images for Lock Screen in Windows 11 and 10.

How to Turn On Spotlight Images for Lock Screen in Windows 11?

To enable the spotlight images for Windows 11 Lock Screen, use these steps:-

Step 1. Open Windows 11 Settings.

To do that, you can use Windows + I hotkey.

Step 2. When the Settings window appears on your computer, select the Personalization option in the left sidebar.

Step 3. On the opposite side of “Personalization,” click the Lock screen.

Step 4. Use the drop-down menu “Personalize your lock screen” and select Windows spotlight.

Once you complete the above steps, Windows 11 will automatically download new images from Bing and set your Lock Screen background.

In the future, if you want to remove “Windows spotlight” images from the Lock screen, repeat the above steps, and in step 4, choose Picture or Slideshow in the drop-down menu.

How to Enable Spotlight Images for Lock Screen in Windows 10?

To turn on the spotlight images for Windows 10 Lock Screen, use these steps:-

Step 1. Open Windows 10 Settings.

To do that, you can use Windows + I shortcut keys on the keyboard.

Step 2. When Windows Settings appears on your computer, click on Personalization.

Step 3. Under Personalization, select the Lock screen on the left side.

Step 4. On the right side of the “Lock screen,” use the drop-down menu “Background” and select Windows spotlight.

Once you complete the above steps, Windows 10 will automatically download new images from Bing and set your Lock Screen background.

In the future, if you want to remove “Windows spotlight” images from the Lock screen, repeat the above steps, and in step 4, choose Picture or Slideshow in the drop-down menu.

How to Turn On or Off Windows Spotlight in Windows 11 or 10 using Registry Editor?

To enable or disable the Windows Spotlight feature in Windows 11 or 10 by tweaking the Registry, use these steps:-

Step 1. Open Registry Editor.

Step 2. When the Registry Editor window appears on your computer, navigate or browse to the following path in the left sidebar:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent

Step 3. Now, right-click on the CloudContent folder in the left sidebar and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 4. Name the newly created REG_DWORD as DisableWindowsSpotlightFeatures.

Step 5. Then, double-click on the DisableWindowsSpotlightFeatures REG_DWORD and set its “Value data” to the following:-

  • 0: Enable Windows Spotlight.
  • 1: Disable Windows Spotlight.

Step 6. Click OK.

Step 7. Finally, reboot your computer to see the changes.

How to Enable or Disable Windows Spotlight in Windows 11 or 10 via Group Policy Editor?

To show or hide Windows Spotlight images in Windows 11 or 10 via Group Policy Editor, do these steps:-

Step 1. Open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. When Local Group Policy Editor appears on your PC, navigate or browse to the following path in the left sidebar:-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content

Step 3. On the opposite side of the “Cloud Content” folder, double-click on the “Turn off all Windows spotlight features” policy.

Step 4. Select Enabled.

Step 5. Click Apply.

Step 6. Click OK.

Step 7. Reboot your computer to apply the changes.

To enable the Windows Spotlight again, repeat the above steps, and in step 4 above, select the Not Configured or Disabled option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Windows 11 and Windows 10 come with the Spotlight feature that downloads and displays Bing images on the lock screen. Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22518 also displays the spotlight images on desktop backgrounds, automatically changing the background every day. This article has provided a step-by-step guide on how to enable spotlight images for the lock screen in both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Additionally, it has also explained how to turn on or off the Windows Spotlight feature using the Registry Editor and Group Policy Editor. With this information, users can easily customize their lock screen and desktop backgrounds to their liking.

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