Personalising Your Windows 11 Login Screen with a Custom Background
Updating Your Windows 11 Login Background
Open Up Settings
Start by clicking the Start button (that’s the Windows logo) and then select the gear icon for Settings. Alternatively, press Windows + I for a quick shortcut. This is your control panel for all things visual on your PC, so take a moment to explore. You never know what you might find!
Head to Personalisation
Once in Settings, scroll until you find Personalisation. This is where all the visual magic happens: wallpapers, colours, lock screen options—you name it. It’s worth spending some time here if you’re into customising your setup.
Find Lock Screen Settings
Next, click on Lock Screen on the left sidebar. This section controls what appears before you log in. That screen you see when you turn on the PC or sign in. Tip: you can also jump straight there by pressing Windows + I then navigating to Personalisation > Lock Screen if you prefer to skip the scrolling.
Pick Your Background Style
You’ll see a dropdown menu titled “Background” or similar. Here’s the fun part—you can select a static image, a slideshow, or Microsoft’s Windows Spotlight, which shows new stunning images daily. For a bit of variety, try the slideshow. Select your preference and go from there.
Choose Your Image or Slideshow
If you opt for a single image or slideshow, click Browse Photos to find the picture file on your PC. Use common formats like JPEG or PNG, and make sure your images match your screen’s resolution (e.g., 1920×1080 for Full HD) for the best look. For slideshows, turn on the Slideshow toggle and select the folder containing your favourite pics.
Tips for a Great Login Background
- Use high-res images that match your screen resolution to avoid fuzzy or stretched visuals.
- A slideshow can keep things interesting if you find a static image getting a bit dull.
- Windows Spotlight is a good way to enjoy new images daily—no effort needed on your part.
- Don’t forget to click Apply! It’s easy to close Settings without saving your changes, which can be a bit frustrating.
- If you want to revert to the default, just select Windows Spotlight again, and your previous look will be restored.
Advanced Customisation (If You’re Feeling Brave)
For those comfortable with a bit of tinkering, you can modify the Windows Registry to set customised login backgrounds — but proceed with caution. It’s a bit technical and risky if you’re not familiar. To do this, navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\BackgroundSet the OEMBackground value to 1 to enable custom images during login. Make sure to save your images in C:\Windows\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds. And always back up your registry before making any changes — it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Quick FAQs About Customising the Login Background in Windows 11
Can I use any image for the login screen?
Mostly yes! As long as your image is in JPEG or PNG format, you can use pretty much anything. Many users choose personal photos or favourite landscapes. Just be cautious if you’re planning to modify system files or the registry — it’s not for the faint-hearted.
How do I reset to the default Windows background?
It’s simple. Head back into the Lock Screen settings and select Windows Spotlight. That’ll restore the usual dynamic images that Windows uses by default.
Will changing the login background slow my system down?
No worries — it’s purely visual. Altering the background doesn’t impact system performance at all, so go ahead and customise as much as you like!
Can I set a video as my login background?
Not quite. Windows 11 only supports static images or slideshows for your login screen. If you were after a video, you might need third-party software, but it’s a bit more complicated and isn’t officially supported.
What happens if I delete the image used for the login background?
If you delete the image, Windows will just fall back to a solid colour or the default background. No error messages, so it’s safe to experiment.
Personalising your login background on Windows 11 is surprisingly easy and adds a touch of personality to your PC. With a few quick adjustments, your login screen can become a reflection of what you love. It’s a small change, but it makes every login a bit more enjoyable — whether you’re starting work or just having a quick look before clocking off. Windows 11 offers plenty of other ways to tweak your setup, so feel free to explore and make your PC truly your own. Happy customising!
A few tips that have worked for others — hopefully they make your login screen feel a bit more like ‘you’. Best of luck, and enjoy personalising your device!