Windows 11 finally allows using stunning Spotlight images as your desktop wallpaper

Set Spotlight As Desktop Background In Windows 11

Windows 11 users may soon get Windows Spotlight working as a dynamic desktop wallpaper on their PCs. In the latest preview build of Windows 11, Microsoft is now testing a new feature that will rotate breathtaking shots on the desktop, managed via a permanent shortcut.

Windows Spotlight is a feature that pulls various images from the Internet and uses them as the background on the lock screen. In the latest preview build of Windows 11, Microsoft has expanded Windows Spotlight capabilities to the desktop. Now users can set Spotlight as the desktop background to get fresh images from Microsoft.

Users can set Spotlight as the desktop background In Windows 11

Although the idea sounds neat, there is one significant downside: enabling Windows Spotlight for the desktop background in Windows 11 places a permanent shortcut on the desktop. Microsoft wants users to use that shortcut to switch images and vote for pictures they like or dislike (hello more profiling).

And yes, the new system is yet another way to endorse the Edge browser and the Microsoft Bing search engine. Clicking the shortcut launches Microsoft Edge (of course) regardless of your default browser. It also opens Microsoft Bings with more details about the current picture.

The Spotlight Desktop shortcut launches Microsoft Edge

The Windows Spotlight shortcut on the desktop in Windows 11 works and feels like a regular app with one caveat: you cannot delete or Shift + Delete it. In typical Microsoft fashion, the only way to remove the “Learn about this picture” shortcut on the desktop in Windows 11 is to disable Windows Spotlight in Settings.

The good thing is that Microsoft is not forcing people to use Windows Spotlight on their desktops. The new feature is optionally available under the Personalization > Background settings, and it is off by default.

You can test Windows Spotlight for the desktop in Windows 11 by downloading the latest Windows preview build. Note that the feature is available for users in Australia, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US. Microsoft promises to add more countries soon. Learn how to set Spotlight as the desktop background in Windows 11 here.

 

Support us

Winaero greatly relies on your support. You can help the site keep bringing you interesting and useful content and software by using these options:

If you like this article, please share it using the buttons below. It won't take a lot from you, but it will help us grow. Thanks for your support!

Author: Taras Buria

Taras is here to cover stories about Microsoft and everything around, although sometimes he prefers Apple.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Exit mobile version
Using Telegram? Subscribe to the blog channel!
Hello. Add your message here.