Starting in Build 25169, Microsoft has implemented a new way to enable Spotlight on Desktop. Now you can use a special theme, meant to activate the online desktop backgrounds for you with one click. However, in typical Microsoft's fashion, even this tiny change is under gradual roll-out. So many insiders have no access to it. Here's how to access the new Windows Spotlight theme.
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Windows Spotlight in Windows 11 has been extended to Desktop. Initially with introduction in Windows 10, it was exclusive to the lock screen.
Now if you enable Spotlight as a Windows 11 desktop background, it will automatically download stunning shots of landscapes, scenery, night views, and gorgeous paintings and arts from the Internet. It acts like an endless source of new wallpapers that will never make you bored with what you see on your desktop.
You can enable Spotlight on desktop from the Settings app. For that, you need to navigate to Personalization > Background, and select it from the "Personalize your background" drop-down list.
Microsoft has decided to add one more option. Starting in Windows 11 Build 25169, there is the new "Windows Spotlight" theme that appears on the main Personalization page, and in the theme list. Clicking it activates Spotlight. Also, the user can customize the theme, e.g. set a custom accent color, and save it as a new one. The saved theme will continue to use Spotlight as the desktop background.
If you Windows 11 doesn't display Spotlight in the list of themes, here's how to add it there.
Enable Spotlight Theme in Windows 11 Personalization
- Download ViveTool from this page on GitHub.
- Extract it to the C:\ViveTool folder.
- Close the Settings app if you have it open.
- Right-click the Start menu button and select Terminal (Admin).
- In the elevated Terminal run the following command:
c:\vivetool\vivetool /enable /id:39258685.
- Now, open the Settings app (Win + I) and see the Personalization section. The Windows Spotlight theme must be there.
That's it.
You can undo the change at any moment later. To hide the theme if it was hidden for you, issue the c:\vivetool\vivetool /disable /id39258685 command.
H/t to PhantomOcean3
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