background pics keep changing on Windows 11

To prevent background pictures from changing in Windows 11 Home edition, you can use the Group Policy settings if you have access to them. However, since Windows 11 Home does not include the Group Policy Editor, you can achieve this by modifying the registry or using the following settings:

1. Prevent Changing Desktop Background: You can enable the policy that prevents users from changing the desktop background. This can be done using the following registry setting:
   • Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop.
   • Create a new DWORD value named NoChangingWallPaper and set its value to 1.
2. Set a Specific Wallpaper: You can specify a wallpaper that will be displayed and prevent users from changing it. This can be done by setting the wallpaper path in the registry:
   • Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop.
   • Modify the Wallpaper value to the path of your desired wallpaper image.
   • Set the WallpaperStyle value to control how the wallpaper is displayed (e.g., 0 for centered, 1 for tiled, 2 for stretched).

These changes will help ensure that the background picture does not change unless you modify the settings again.

References:

• Policy CSP - ADMX_ControlPanelDisplay
• Policy CSP - ADMX_ControlPanelDisplay

Hi Raffi Ohanians,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I understand how annoying it can be when your background keeps changing unexpectedly. This usually happens when Windows Spotlight or Slideshow is enabled for your desktop background. These features can override a static background setting. Here's what to do:

1. Right-click on your desktop > Personalize > choose Background
2. Under Personalize your background, select Picture and pick your favorite
3. Go back to *Personalization *> choose Lock screen > also select Picture
4. Make sure nothing is set to Slideshow or Windows Spotlight
5. Still in Settings, open Accounts > Sync your settings
6. Turn off Theme sync if you use multiple devices

Your background is probably set to "Slideshow" instead of "Picture." Disabling this in Personalization settings should resolve it. Feel free to let me know if it's something more stubborn.

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