You can set any picture, a solid color or a rotating slideshow as your Windows 10 desktop background. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. The steps are similar on Windows 11.
Quick Answer
Right-click the desktop, choose Personalize, and under Background pick Picture, Solid color or Slideshow. Click Browse to use your own image.
How to Change the Background on Windows 10
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose Personalize (or open Settings, Personalization, Background).
- Open the Background drop-down and choose Picture, Solid color, Slideshow or Windows spotlight where available.
- For Picture, click a recent image or Browse to choose your own.
- Use Choose a fit to pick Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, Center or Span.
- For Slideshow, choose a folder and how often it changes.
- Or right-click any image in File Explorer and choose Set as desktop background.
Background Options
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Picture | One favorite image |
| Solid color | Minimal, distraction-free desktop |
| Slideshow | Rotating photos from a folder |
| Fit: Fill | Covers the screen without distortion |
| Fit: Span | One image across multiple monitors |
For animated backgrounds, read how to set a video wallpaper.
Troubleshooting
- Background options greyed out: Windows is not activated or a work policy controls it. See what you can personalize without activation.
- Image looks blurry: use a picture at least as large as your screen resolution.
- Different image on each monitor: right-click a picture in the list and choose Set for monitor.
- Related: how to set wallpaper on Windows 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a video as a background?
Not with built-in Windows 10 settings.
Where are the default Windows wallpapers?
In the Windows Web folder on the C drive.
Does the background change the lock screen?
No. The lock screen has its own setting.
Will changing themes change the background?
Yes. Themes can set background, colors and sounds together.
Summary
- Right-click the desktop, Personalize.
- Pick Picture, Solid color or Slideshow.
- Browse to your image.
- Choose a fit.
- Set per-monitor images if needed.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.