To disable Windows Spotlight on Windows 11, right-click your desktop, select Personalize, go to Themes, and select any theme other than Windows Spotlight. If you already have another theme but still see Spotlight wallpapers, go to Background and change it from Windows Spotlight to Picture or another option.
Quick Steps:
- Right-click anywhere on your desktop
- Select “Personalize”
- Click on “Themes”
- Select any theme other than Windows Spotlight
- If still seeing Spotlight wallpapers, click “Background” and change to Picture or another option
How to Know If Windows Spotlight Is Enabled
The easiest way to tell if Windows Spotlight is active on your PC is to look at your desktop. If you see a small icon that says something like “Learn about this picture” or shows information about your wallpaper, then Windows Spotlight is enabled.
This icon appears because Microsoft uses Windows Spotlight to display rotating wallpapers along with facts about them. While some people enjoy this feature, others find it annoying or want a cleaner desktop without extra icons. If that sounds like you, I’ve also written a guide on how to remove the Learn More About This Picture icon if you want more options for dealing with Spotlight elements.
Why Disable Windows Spotlight?
Windows Spotlight is a feature that automatically downloads and displays images from Microsoft on your lock screen and desktop. It also shows tips, facts, and sometimes ads for Microsoft products. For many users, this feels like unnecessary clutter.
I’ve had plenty of clients over the years who just wanted their own wallpaper without Microsoft changing it or adding icons to their desktop. If you prefer having full control over your desktop appearance, disabling Spotlight makes sense.
Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Windows Spotlight
Step 1: Open Personalization Settings
Right-click anywhere on an empty area of your desktop. From the menu that appears, click on “Personalize”. This opens the Windows Settings app directly to the personalization section.
Step 2: Go to Themes
In the Personalization settings, click on “Themes”. Here you’ll see all the themes installed on your computer. Look at which theme is currently selected. If Windows Spotlight is highlighted, that’s why you’re seeing the rotating wallpapers and desktop icon.
Step 3: Select a Different Theme
Click on any other theme to switch away from Windows Spotlight. You can use one of the default Windows themes or any custom theme you’ve installed. Once you select a different theme, the Spotlight feature will be disabled.
Step 4: Check Your Background Settings (If Needed)
Sometimes you might have a different theme selected but still see Windows Spotlight wallpapers. This happens when your background is separately set to Spotlight. To fix this, go back to Personalization and click on “Background”. Look at the dropdown menu and if it says Windows Spotlight, change it to “Picture”, “Solid color”, or “Slideshow” depending on what you prefer.
Want More Control Over Windows Settings?
If you find yourself wanting to customize more things in Windows beyond just the wallpaper, you might want to check out Winhance, the Windows 11 enhancement utility I created. It gives you a ton of customization options in one place, including taskbar settings, Start menu tweaks, and privacy controls. It’s free and open source, and makes it much easier to get Windows looking and working the way you want without digging through dozens of settings menus.
FAQ
Will disabling Windows Spotlight affect my lock screen?
Yes, if you were using Windows Spotlight for your lock screen as well, it will change to your selected wallpaper or a default image. You can set a separate lock screen image in Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
Can I use Windows Spotlight wallpapers without the desktop icon?
Unfortunately, Microsoft bundles the icon with the Spotlight feature. You cannot officially use the rotating wallpapers without the icon appearing. However, there are registry tweaks that can hide just the icon if you search for them online.
Will Windows Spotlight turn back on after updates?
Windows updates can sometimes reset personalization settings. If you notice Spotlight has been re-enabled after an update, just follow the same steps above to disable it again. This is one of those annoying things Microsoft does with feature updates.
Is Windows Spotlight using my internet data?
Yes, Windows Spotlight downloads new images from Microsoft’s servers. The data usage is minimal, but if you’re on a metered connection or just want to reduce background activity, disabling Spotlight can help.
