To resize your desktop background in Windows 11, go to Settings > Personalization > Background, make sure Picture or Slideshow is selected, and change Choose a fit for your desktop image. Fill covers the whole screen, Fit shows the whole picture, and Stretch, Tile, Center and Span give other layouts.
This guide covers Windows 11 Home and Pro. It explains each fit option, how to set wallpaper on multiple monitors and virtual desktops, how to fix a blurry or cut-off picture, and how to resize the image itself so it matches your screen exactly.
How to Change How Your Wallpaper Fits the Screen
- Right-click the desktop and select Personalize, or open Settings > Personalization. The Personalization page opens.
- Select Background.
- Next to Personalize your background, choose Picture or Slideshow. The fit option doesn’t appear for Windows spotlight or a solid color. Spotlight also adds a desktop icon; see how to get rid of “Learn about this picture”.
- Open the Choose a fit for your desktop image list and pick an option. The desktop updates immediately, so you can try each one.
What Each Fit Option Does
According to Microsoft’s guide to changing the desktop background:
- Fill: enlarges the picture to cover the screen. Some edges may be cut off.
- Fit: shows the whole picture without distortion. You may see bars on the sides or top and bottom.
- Stretch: stretches the picture to the screen, which can distort it.
- Tile: repeats the picture across the screen, which suits small patterns.
- Center: puts the picture in the middle at its original size. A smaller picture leaves a border around it.
- Span: spreads one picture across multiple monitors.
For most photos, Fill looks best. Use Fit when you need to see the whole picture, such as a group photo, and the bars bother you less than cropping.
Multiple Monitors and Virtual Desktops
- One picture across all screens: choose a wide picture and set the fit to Span.
- A different picture on each monitor: with Picture selected, right-click an image under Recent images and choose the monitor to set it for. Microsoft notes this isn’t available if you use multiple desktops. See how to set a different background for each monitor.
- Slideshow: each screen shows a different picture from the folder you chose.
- Virtual desktops: right-click an image under Recent images and choose which desktop to use it on, or Set for all desktops.
If the Wallpaper Looks Blurry or Cut Off
- Use a picture at least as large as your screen resolution. Check your resolution in Settings > System > Display under Display resolution. A 1280 x 720 picture on a 2560 x 1440 screen will look soft when Fill enlarges it.
- Crop the picture to your screen’s shape (for example 16:9) in the Photos app before setting it, so Fill doesn’t cut off the parts you care about.
- If it fits wrong after connecting a monitor, see Microsoft’s note on wallpaper not fitting after connecting an external display, or how to adjust screen size on a second monitor.
Resize the Picture Itself in Paint
If none of the fit options look right, change the picture’s size to match your screen before setting it as the background.
- Right-click the picture, select Open with, and choose Paint.
- Select Resize and skew (or press Ctrl + W).
- Choose Pixels, keep Maintain aspect ratio checked, and enter your screen width, such as 1920. The height adjusts automatically.
- Select OK, then File > Save as to save a copy so the original stays untouched.
- Right-click the new copy and choose Set as desktop background. It becomes your wallpaper.
Making a small picture larger in Paint won’t add detail, so start with the largest version you have.
Other Ways to Set a Picture as Your Background
- File Explorer: right-click a picture and select Set as desktop background.
- Photos app: open the picture, select the ••• menu, then Set as > Background, per Microsoft.
- Slideshow: on the Background page, choose Slideshow, pick a folder, and set how often the picture changes and whether to shuffle. For a full-screen photo show on an older PC, see how to view pictures as a slideshow in Windows 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set a different wallpaper on each monitor?
See how to set a different background for each monitor in Windows 11.
Why is the fit option missing?
It only appears when Picture or Slideshow is selected. Windows spotlight and solid colors don’t use it.
What size should my wallpaper be?
Match your display resolution, shown in Settings > System > Display. For two side-by-side monitors with Span, use a picture as wide as both screens combined.
If you’d rather use a different picture, color or slideshow altogether, see how to change the desktop background in Windows 11.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
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