HOME SCREEN DEFAULT MICROSOFT WALLPAPER SLIDESHOW

Question

I don't want the default Microsoft wallpaper on my home screen and if i go to settings > personalization > change the background to picture > browse and put my own wallpaper > after a certain period the default Microsoft wallpaper appears again . this is so irritating .

Answer 1

Hello Yanshi Chauhan,

A possible reason for this is that the image file was moved, renamed, or deleted from its original location after being set as the wallpaper. Windows 11 references the file path directly rather than copying the file, so if the file is no longer where it was, Windows may silently fall back to the default wallpaper.

It may be worth checking:

• That the image file is in a stable, permanent location (e.g. a dedicated folder in Pictures that you won't reorganize)
• Then re-apply it via Settings > Personalization > Background > Picture and browse to that path

Also worth double-checking:

• Background type is set to Picture, not Slideshow or Windows Spotlight
• If the device is signed into a work or school account, a policy may be overriding your wallpaper. In that case, it would be outside your control.

Answer 2

The behavior described usually happens when Windows is using a background mode that can change automatically (Slideshow or Windows spotlight) or when another feature/app is managing wallpapers.

To keep a single custom wallpaper on the desktop in Windows 11:

1. Open Settings → Personalization (or right‑click the desktop and select Personalize).
2. Select Background.
3. Under Personalize your background, make sure it is set to Picture, not Slideshow and not Windows spotlight.
4. Under Picture, choose one of the default images or select Browse and pick the image file to use.
5. Apply and close Settings.

Additional checks:

• If using multiple desktops, ensure the background is set for the correct desktop: right‑click the image under Recent images and choose Set for all desktops or the specific desktop.
• If any wallpaper apps are installed (for example, Bing Wallpaper or theme packs), disable or uninstall them so they cannot override the chosen background.

After these steps, Windows will keep the selected picture as the desktop background instead of reverting to the default slideshow.

---

References:

• Change the desktop background in Windows