How To Change Wallpaper On Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Published on November 11, 2025

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Changing the wallpaper on your Windows 10 computer is a simple way to personalize your experience and make your desktop feel more like your own. Whether you want to use a personal photo, a pre-installed image, or download something new, Windows 10 offers several easy ways to customize your background.

This guide will walk you through the process of changing your wallpaper on Windows 10, covering everything from accessing the settings to choosing the perfect image. We’ll also explore some additional customization options to further enhance your desktop’s appearance.

How Do I Change My Windows 10 Wallpaper?

Changing your wallpaper in Windows 10 is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:

Accessing the Personalization Settings

Right-click on any empty space on your desktop.
Select “Personalize” from the context menu. This will open the Personalization settings window.

Choosing a Background

In the Personalization settings, make sure “Background” is selected in the left-hand menu.
Under the “Background” dropdown menu, choose from the following options:

Picture: Allows you to select a single image as your wallpaper.
Solid color: Sets a solid color as your wallpaper.
Slideshow: Displays a rotating slideshow of images from a folder you select.

Setting a Picture as Wallpaper

If you selected “Picture”, you’ll see a section labeled “Choose your picture”.
Select one of the recently used images displayed, or click the “Browse” button to choose an image from your computer.
Navigate to the location of the image you want to use and select it.
Click “Choose picture”. The selected image will now be set as your wallpaper.

Customizing the Picture’s Fit

Below the “Choose your picture” section, you’ll find a “Choose a fit” dropdown menu.
Select one of the following options to adjust how the image is displayed:

Fill: Stretches the image to fill the entire screen, potentially cropping it.
Fit: Displays the entire image, adding borders if necessary to maintain the aspect ratio.
Stretch: Stretches the image to fill the screen, potentially distorting it.
Tile: Repeats the image to fill the screen.
Center: Centers the image on the screen, leaving the background color visible around it.
Span: Spans a picture across multiple monitors.

Setting a Solid Color as Wallpaper

If you selected “Solid color”, you’ll see a section with a palette of colors.
Select the color you want to use as your wallpaper. The selected color will be applied instantly.
Click the “Custom color” button for more color options.

Setting Up a Slideshow as Wallpaper

If you selected “Slideshow”, you’ll see a section labeled “Choose albums for your slideshow”.
Click the “Browse” button to select a folder containing the images you want to use in the slideshow.
Navigate to the folder and select it.
Adjust the following settings:

Change picture every: Choose how often the wallpaper changes (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day).
Shuffle: Enable this option to display the images in random order.
Allow slideshow when on battery power: Disable this option to prevent the slideshow from running when your device is on battery power.

Choose a fit option from the “Choose a fit” dropdown menu, as described above.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wallpaper

Resolution: Use images with a resolution that matches your screen resolution for the best quality.
File Format: Windows 10 supports common image formats like JPG, PNG, and BMP.
Contrast: Choose images with good contrast to make icons and text on your desktop easier to see.
Personal Photos: Using personal photos can make your desktop feel more personal and meaningful.
Online Resources: Websites like Unsplash and Pexels offer a wide variety of high-quality, free images that you can use as wallpaper.

Achieving a Personalized Desktop

Changing your wallpaper is a simple yet effective way to personalize your Windows 10 experience. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily customize your desktop to reflect your unique style and preferences.

FAQ

How do I change my wallpaper on Windows 10 lock screen? You can change the lock screen wallpaper in the Personalization settings, under the “Lock screen” section.

Can I use animated GIFs as wallpaper on Windows 10? No, Windows 10 does not natively support animated GIFs as wallpaper. You would need to use third-party software.

How do I change the wallpaper on multiple monitors? Windows 10 allows you to set different wallpapers for each monitor or span a single image across multiple monitors using the “Span” fit option.

Why is my wallpaper blurry? This can happen if the image resolution is lower than your screen resolution. Try using a higher-resolution image.

How do I revert to the default Windows 10 wallpaper? In the Personalization settings, under “Background,” select “Windows spotlight” from the “Background” dropdown menu.

Customizing Your Desktop: A Quick Recap

Changing your Windows 10 wallpaper is a quick and easy way to give your computer a fresh, personalized look. Experiment with different images, colors, and slideshow settings to find the perfect combination that suits your style.