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Display issue

AH 0

How do I display backgrounds as a slideshow, with a different background on each monitor?

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Answer 1

Emmanuel Santana 39,535 Independent Advisor

Hello. Are you trying to have different images rotating automatically on each monitor from the same folder, or have completely separate slideshow collections/timers per monitor?

If you use Slideshow as the desktop background, Windows 11 can automatically display different images on each monitor at the same time from the same selected folder.

However, Windows still does not support fully independent slideshow behavior per monitor.

For example, the following is not supported natively:

• Monitor 1 using Folder A • Monitor 2 using Folder B • Different slideshow intervals per monitor • Separate shuffle behavior per display

The built-in personalization system only uses one slideshow source and one timing engine globally across all monitors.

You can find more information on this by visiting this link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-the-desktop-background-in-windows-4a33c533-b71e-447e-b021-a27df2678938

AH 0 Reputation points

2026-06-01T07:25:24.52+00:00

I’m trying to use the same folder labeled “backgrounds “ in my pictures folder.
Emmanuel Santana 39,535 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-01T07:30:21.63+00:00

Thanks for the update. In your case, Windows 11 should already support the behavior you want natively.

If “Background” is set to Slideshow and your “backgrounds” folder is selected, each monitor should automatically show a different image from that same folder.

“If you select Slideshow as background, each screen will display a different picture from the folder you select.” Change the desktop background in Windows

Please check these specifically:

Open: Settings > Personalization > Background

Confirm:

• “Personalize your background” = Slideshow

• The selected folder is your “backgrounds” folder

• “Shuffle” is enabled

Also verify that “Choose a fit for your desktop image” is not set to Span. “Span” attempts to stretch one image across all monitors, which can make it appear as though the slideshow is not working independently per display.

What exactly happens currently?

Answer 2

Displaying a slideshow background with a different image on each monitor at the same time is not supported in Windows 11.

Windows currently has these limitations:

When using multiple desktops, only picture backgrounds are supported per desktop; slideshow backgrounds are not supported.
Configuring a different background picture per monitor is not supported.
Slideshow as a background is not supported when using multiple desktops.

So a per-monitor slideshow (different image on each monitor, changing over time) cannot be configured with the built-in Windows 11 personalization options.

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