Windows 10: Background picture keeps reverting to screenshots no matter what I do

So I took a few screenshots of a program that I only intended to use for reference in another help question. But somehow, those screenshots got added to my desktop images, and now I can't get rid of them. Worse, my desktop background keeps switching back to those screenshots no matter what I do. I've deleted the files on my computer I'm pretty sure, I can't find them in my One Drive, I deleted the transcode wallpaper file in the Themes folder. I've tried switching to Windows Spotlight, but after about 10 minutes or so it just changes back to pictures. Same with switching Themes. I can't righ

:)

 

Windows 11: Desktop background keeps resetting from slideshow to a picture.

Hi Nicole,

Here are the steps I took per your suggestion.

1. Make Sure the Theme Isn't Changing Your Wallpaper
   
   • I created a custom Theme with Background set to Slideshow and Lock Screen to Spotlight.
     
   • Locked screen and logged back in all good.
     
   • Rebooted and both reset to Picture.
     
   • I reset back to Slideshow and Spotlight accordingly.
     
2. Turn Off Slideshow in Personalization Settings
   
   • I set Background to a color and Lock Screen to Picture
     
   • Restarted system.
     
   • Settings remained.
     
   • Reset Background to Slideshow and Screen to Spotlight.
     
   • Restarted system.
     
   • Settings remained for the moment.
     
   • Restarted one more time and Background reverted to Picture & Screen remained at Spotlight.
     
   • Reset Background to Slideshow.
     
   • Restarted again.
     
   • Settings remained for the moment.
     
   • Restarted again just to validate and settings remained for the moment.
     
3. Disable Windows Sync Settings
   
   • I cannot do this since the factory reset, my account cannot use my Microsoft account only the local. As such, Settings > Accounts > Windows backup > the option to Remember Preferences is grayed out; only available if using Microsoft account.
     
4. Use a Local Account
   
   • I can only use Local Account
     
5. Lock the Background Settings
   
   • This is not an option as, I’m the only user and with Home edition I don’t have Group Policy option.
     

Status: While running through steps 3-6 my Background reverted to Picture on its own, without me locking screen or restarting system. Mystery remains as to what’s causing this change on its own. I think Microsoft needs to get involved to evaluate this bug. I know I’m not the only one reporting this issue as I have found several articles over the past couple of years on this topic and don’t know why MSFT hasn’t gotten involved yet.

 

Slideshow background reverts back to Picture.

Hello Paulo,

I tried both suggestions but neither worked. I also should add that the ''Remember my preference'' was greyed out from the start.

I tried making a theme with the background folder and see if it will stay if I do that but it still reverts back. Interestingly it seems that if I use an official Windows theme it works as intended but as soon as I use a custom one it reverts back to a specific picture. It also seems I can somewhat manipulate which picture it reverts back too.

Any other solutions I can try?

EDIT: I have noticed that it now only happens if I open a new desktop. So if I have one open the Slideshow works as normal, but when I open a second desktop and switch to it the background gets reverted to Picture.

 

Changing the background in Windows 10 from picture foders created on the hard drive?

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in response



I would suggest you to try the following steps:

• 
  Open Desktop Background by right clicking on the desktop clicking Personalization
  
• 
  Click the picture or color that you want to use for your desktop background.
  
• 
  If the picture you want to use isn't in the list of desktop background pictures, click an item in the Picture location list to see other categories, or click Browse to search for the picture on your computer.
  When you find the picture that you want, double-click it. It will become your desktop background.
  

Hope this helps.