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Virtual desktop changes slideshow background

Eric Chisholm 10 Reputation points
2025-08-07T22:02:45.5633333+00:00

previously asked here but no longer available: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/bf1a3a08-db67-4061-ab72-1a6fa5815622/virtual-desktop-disables-background?forum=windows-all&referrer=answers

setting a slideshow works fine, but as soon as I move from one virtual desktop to another, it reverts to "picture" from "slideshow" and chooses a default picture

if I use a solid colour as my background it doesn't change

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Desktop
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  1. Berticus 5 Reputation points
    2025-09-22T18:58:58.6166667+00:00

    Hi, this was posted previously in the MS community forums but that thread seems to have been lost. Here was the solution that worked for me:

    1. Open settings and set background to slideshow
    2. Open registry editor and remove key "Wallpaper" in each subtree in \HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VirtualDesktops\Desktops\ (each subtree is one virtual desktop)
    3. Reboot the computer again

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  2. AceRobertT 14,425 Reputation points
    2025-08-08T01:32:57.28+00:00

    Hello Eric. Thanks for getting back. I get you, this isn't simply a matter of liking one style over another; it's a functional necessity rooted in the preservation of hardware, particularly OLED screens, as static images can burn in permanent damage. It's hugely bothersome that this feature worked in Windows 10 and was removed with little notice in Windows 11 when no clear replacement was proposed.

    Microsoft should definitely hear from users like you that use slideshow backgrounds not just for variety but, for the health and longevity of their devices. I fully recommend submitting this via the Feedback Hub (Win + F), with details on the regression.

    Best regards,

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  3. AceRobertT 14,425 Reputation points
    2025-08-07T22:38:37.0133333+00:00

    Hello Eric. This problem of a slideshow background reverting to a static picture when changing virtual desktops in Windows 11, is an existing limitation in the current implementation of desktop personalization. When a user chooses a slideshow as their background background style and changes to another virtual desktop, Windows reverts to a static image and disables the slideshow setting. The defaulting behavior is not configurable by the user, as this is related to Windows desktop sessions, and how Windows persists backgrounds.

    Unfortunately, Microsoft has not documented this particular behavior and no known workaround exists through the Windows registry. Windows also doesn't support changing registry keys related to virtual desktops, as it is susceptible to system instability. For all background behavior to be consistent across virtual desktops, Microsoft has recommended using either a solid color or a static picture as the background as opposed to a slideshow.

    Best regards,

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