The Windows Spotlight Intrusion
When you boot up your Windows 11 PC or lock your screen, you are greeted by the Lock Screen. By default, Microsoft enables a feature called “Windows Spotlight” for this screen. Windows Spotlight automatically downloads and cycles through high-quality nature photography and landscapes from Bing every single day. While some users enjoy the variety, others find it distracting. More annoyingly, Microsoft occasionally uses Windows Spotlight to inject “fun facts,” tips, or even subtle advertisements for its own services directly onto your lock screen. If you prefer a consistent, professional, or personal image when you log in, this automatic changing must be disabled.
How to Disable Windows Spotlight
You can easily stop Windows 11 from changing your lock screen background by switching from the dynamic Spotlight feature to a static picture of your choosing.
1. Click the Start button and select Settings (or press the Windows Key + I on your keyboard).
2. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Personalization.
3. In the main pane, click on Lock screen.
4. Look for the dropdown menu labelled Personalize your lock screen.
5. Click the dropdown menu and change the selection from “Windows spotlight” to Picture (or “Slideshow” if you want to use your own folder of photos).
6. Once you select “Picture,” a “Recent images” section will appear. Click the Browse photos button to navigate through your computer and select a specific image you want to use permanently.
How to Remove Lock Screen Ads and Tips
Even if you switch to a static picture, Windows 11 might still occasionally display text prompts, “tips,” or suggestions on your lock screen.
To completely sanitize your lock screen and ensure nothing but your chosen image and the clock are displayed, stay on that same Settings > Personalization > Lock screen page.
Just below the image selection area, look for a checkbox labelled Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen. Uncheck this box. This will permanently prevent Microsoft from overlaying any promotional text or suggestions over your chosen background image.