How to set Slideshow Background to be the same picture on dual monitors.

Question

Hello,

I am running windows 11 with dual monitors (1x HDMI and 1x Display). These monitors are setups as "extend these displays" so I can have different things open on both. I can setup a slideshow easily enough for my background that changes every minute. However, I want it to be the same image on both monitors, and to shuffle both monitors at the same time. Right now, it shuffles one image on one of the monitors (alternating) every minute. So each screen has it's shuffled image for 2 minutes, rather than both monitors for 1 minute at the same time.

I've searched around and haven't seen this question solved in any forum I have looked. I also spent a decent time combing through the options. Only things I can think of that could be causing this issue are:

• Different active I/O port being used, so they do not sync
• Windows 11 does not support that depth of this feature.

Another weird behavior note:

• I have a couple images that will shuffle in and actually be extended through both monitors as 1 continuous image.
• This does not change regardless if I select "fit" or "fill" as the image.

Any thoughts or help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Arlene,

Thanks for the response. As for your questions:

• The resolution is the same on both monitors, though they are using different hardware ports to connect to the PC (Display Port vs HDMI). Both are set for 2560 x 1440 and Landscape at 100% scale.
• I am using the built-in Windows slideshow feature. I have not downloaded any 3rd party background manager or even software for my images. They are all just various image files extensions.

Yeah, what you have answered seems to be the issue. Windows 11, for all its hype, struggles still with some VERY basic functions. I appreciate your candor and possible 3rd party options. Thank you for your assistance. I appreciate your help and won't need any further help. But due to Microsoft itself not having solution, I am just going to mark the reply as not solving the problem. Maybe Microsoft will give a care about maintaining some basic features before running away with its spyware features :)

One can hope. Thank you and goodbye.

Answer 2

Hi there, I'm Arlene, an Independent Advisor here to help. Thank you for reaching out!

To better assist you, may I ask, are the monitors set with the same resolution and orientation? Also, are you using the built-in Windows slideshow feature or a third-party background manager?

By default, when using the slideshow feature on an "Extend these displays" setup, Windows treats each monitor as an individual desktop and randomly shuffles images separately per screen. Unfortunately, there is no built-in setting in Windows 11 to force the same slideshow image to appear on both monitors at the same time in sync.

According to a Microsoft Support page on personalization, Windows 11 allows you to set a slideshow for your background, but it does not offer granular slideshow synchronization settings across multiple monitors. One workaround some users have tried is setting the same folder with only one image, which forces the same background, but that doesn't support shuffling. For synchronized slideshows, you may need to use third-party tools like DisplayFusion or Wallpaper Engine, which offer more control over multi-monitor wallpapers and slideshow syncing.

Hope it helps. Please let me know if you have further question or clarification, I am here to help.

Regards,

Arlene D.

Answer 3

Thank you for the feedback, Timothy. Right now, Windows 11 doesn’t have a built-in way to keep slideshow images in sync on both screens when using “Extend these displays.” According to Microsoft’s official support page, slideshows are handled separately for each screen.

A workaround some users try is using only one image in the slideshow folder, but that won’t shuffle. For full sync and shuffle, apps like DisplayFusion or Wallpaper Engine give you more control and can do what Windows can’t.

You have a great day!