The quickest way to change your lock screen

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Personalization in the left menu, then click Lock screen. Under "Personalize your lock screen", you'll see a dropdown that says "Windows spotlight" or shows your current image. Click it and choose Picture to use a single image, Slideshow to rotate through multiple images, or Windows spotlight to let Windows show you curated images daily.

If you chose Picture, click the plus sign under "Add a photo" to browse your computer for an image. Windows will resize it to fit your lock screen. If you chose Slideshow, add multiple photos the same way — Windows will cycle through them each time you lock your device.

The change takes effect when ready. The next time you lock your screen (by pressing Windows key + L), you'll see your new background.

Key Takeaways

  • The lock screen setting is in Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, and you can change it in under a minute.
  • You can use a single picture, rotate through multiple pictures in a slideshow, or let Windows show you different images automatically.
  • Windows will resize any image you choose to fit the lock screen properly.
  • Your lock screen is separate from your desktop background — changing one does not change the other.
  • You can also add shortcuts to apps on your lock screen by scrolling down to "App shortcuts" in the same Lock screen settings page.

Using pictures from your Photos app

If your photos are organized in the Photos app rather than a folder, you can still use them. In the Lock screen settings, click the plus sign under "Add a photo". This opens a file browser, but you can navigate to your Pictures folder or search for photos by name.

A faster route: open the Photos app, find the image you want, right-click it, and select Set as > Lock screen. This skips the Settings menu entirely and applies the image in one step.

Switching between Windows spotlight and your own images

Windows spotlight shows you a different high-quality image each day, pulled from Microsoft's collection. It also displays tips and suggestions on your lock screen. If you want this feature back after switching to your own pictures, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and change the dropdown back to Windows spotlight.

You can also turn off the tips and suggestions without changing the image itself. In the same Lock screen settings, scroll down and toggle off Get fun facts, tips, and more on your lock screen. This keeps Windows spotlight running but removes the text overlays.

Adding app shortcuts to your lock screen

Below the background options in Lock screen settings, you'll see App shortcuts. You can add up to five apps here, and they'll appear as icons on your lock screen. This lets you launch an app (like your camera or a messaging app) without unlocking your device first.

Click the plus sign next to any of the five slots and choose an app from the list. Not all apps support this feature — Windows will only show you apps that do. To remove a shortcut, click the X next to it.

Troubleshooting: Image won't change or looks stretched

If you've selected a new image but your lock screen hasn't updated, lock and unlock your device once. Sometimes Windows needs a moment to explore the change. Press Windows key + L to lock, then enter your password to unlock.

If your image looks stretched or cut off, it may be the wrong size. Windows works best with images that are at least 1920 by 1080 pixels (the standard size for modern monitors). If you're using a very small or oddly-shaped image, Windows will stretch it to fit, which can make it look distorted. Try a larger or wider image instead.

If the lock screen reverts to Windows spotlight after a restart, check that you have permission to modify your account settings. On a work device, your administrator may have locked the lock screen to prevent changes. Contact your IT department if you think this is the case.

The difference between lock screen and sign-in screen

Windows 11 has two screens that look similar but work differently. The lock screen appears when you press Windows key + L or when your device has been idle. The sign-in screen appears when you first turn on your device or after a restart. The changes you make in Settings > Personalization > Lock screen affect only the lock screen, not the sign-in screen.

If you want to change the sign-in screen background, that's a separate setting. Go to Settings > Personalization > Start, then scroll down to find options for the sign-in screen. However, the sign-in screen has fewer customization options than the lock screen — you can usually only choose between light and dark mode, or use a solid color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or animated image as my lock screen?

No. Windows 11 lock screens accept only still images (JPG, PNG, BMP) or the slideshow feature, which cycles through multiple still images. You cannot use video files or animated GIFs as a lock screen background.

Will changing my lock screen affect my desktop background?

No. Your lock screen and desktop background are completely separate. You can change one without touching the other. If you want them to match, you'll need to set the same image in both places — lock screen in Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, and desktop background in Settings > Personalization > Background.

What if I don't want a lock screen at all?

You can disable the lock screen entirely by pressing Windows key + R, typing "gpedit.msc", and navigating to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization. Find "Do not display lock screen" and set it to Enabled. This requires Windows 11 Pro or higher — the Home edition does not have this option.

Can I set different lock screens for different user accounts?

Yes. Each user account on your device has its own Settings. When you log in as a different user and change the lock screen in that account's Settings, it only affects that user's lock screen. Other accounts keep their own backgrounds.

Why does my lock screen show a different image than the one I selected?

If you chose Slideshow, Windows cycles through all the images you added, so you may see a different one each time you lock. If you chose Picture and still see a different image, check that Windows spotlight is not still enabled — go back to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and confirm the dropdown is set to Picture, not Windows spotlight.