To set the lock screen on Windows 11, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and choose Windows spotlight, Picture or Slideshow under Personalize your lock screen. To lock your PC right away, press Windows key + L. The same page lets you add widgets like weather and choose whether the sign-in screen uses the same picture.
This guide covers Windows 11 Home and Pro. It shows how to change the lock screen background, manage lock screen widgets and extras, lock your PC four different ways, make it lock automatically, and fix a lock screen you can’t change. Steps follow Microsoft Support, checked in October 2026.
How to Change the Lock Screen Background
These steps follow Microsoft’s Customize the Lock Screen guide.
- Select Start > Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. You can also right-click the desktop, select Personalize, then Lock screen. Result: the Lock screen settings open.
- Open the Personalize your lock screen menu. Result: three options appear.
- Pick one:
Windows spotlight shows a rotating set of images from Microsoft, with tips and notifications.
Picture uses a single image. Choose a default picture or select Browse photos to use your own.
Slideshow rotates through pictures in one or more folders on your PC. Result: the preview at the top shows your new lock screen. - Press Windows key + L to see it. Result: your PC locks and shows the new background.
Extra background options
Depending on the option you choose and your Windows version, Microsoft lists a few more switches on the same page:
- Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen adds Microsoft content on top of your picture.
- Make the lock screen image react when I move my PC adds a slight motion effect on devices with the right sensors.
- Show the lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen uses the same picture when you sign in. Turn it off for a plain sign-in background.
If you use Windows spotlight and want to remove the “Learn about this picture” icon, see how to get rid of “Learn about this picture”.
Customize Lock Screen Widgets
Lock screen widgets show things like the weather without unlocking your PC. According to Microsoft:
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and find Widgets. Result: the widgets on your lock screen are listed in order.
- Drag a widget up or down to change where it appears. Result: the lock screen order matches the list.
- Select the more options button next to a widget to remove or customize it, or select Add widget to add another. Only small-size widgets can go on the lock screen. The taskbar weather is a separate setting; see how to show or hide Widgets and weather on the taskbar.
- To hide all widgets, turn Widgets off.
Microsoft notes that widgets may use your estimated location, from Windows Location or your internet IP address, to show local information. Older versions of Windows 11 call this section Lock screen status and show one app’s details instead. For widgets on your taskbar, see how to add widgets in Windows 11.
How to Lock Your PC
- Windows key + L locks immediately. This is the fastest method.
- Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select Lock. Use this if your PC is acting up.
- Start menu: select Start, select your profile picture or name, and choose Lock.
- Dynamic lock locks the PC for you when you walk away with your phone, as described below.
Make Windows 11 Lock Automatically
Dynamic lock with your phone
Microsoft’s sign-in options page explains that Dynamic lock uses Bluetooth to pair with your phone and locks the PC when the signal drops, meaning you’ve moved away. Pair your phone with the PC first, then go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and turn on Dynamic lock. Microsoft says Windows locks within about a minute after you’re out of Bluetooth range.
Screen timeout and screen saver
Cornell’s IT office recommends having your screen lock after 15 minutes or less of inactivity, with a password needed to unlock it. In Windows, you can do that with a screen saver set to show the sign-in screen when it ends. See how to change the screen saver in Windows 11 and how to change the screen timeout in Windows 11.
Locking only protects your PC if it has a password, PIN or Windows Hello sign-in. To update yours, see how to change your PIN on Windows 11 or how to change your password on Windows 11.
If You Can’t Change the Lock Screen
- Work or school PC: your organization may control the lock screen. Ask your IT team.
- Windows isn’t activated: personalization settings, including the lock screen, are unavailable until Windows is activated.
- Spotlight images aren’t changing: Windows spotlight needs an internet connection to download new pictures. Try switching to Picture and back.
- Your picture looks cropped: use an image with the same shape as your screen, such as 16:9 on many laptops.
Change the Lock Screen Background in Windows 10
In Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. Under Background, choose Windows spotlight, Picture or Slideshow. For Picture, choose an offered image or use Browse to select your own; for Slideshow, choose the folder of pictures. The selection applies automatically rather than through a separate Save button. Press Windows + L to check the lock-screen background. Return to the same menu to choose another background. Microsoft’s lock-screen customization guide includes the separate Windows 10 controls. This changes the background, not the account password or sign-in requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off the lock screen completely?
Windows 11 has no Settings switch that removes the whole lock screen. On supported Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, an administrator can use the Do not display the lock screen policy. This hides the picture screen while keeping the usual sign-in requirement. Home does not include Local Group Policy Editor. Pressing a key or clicking dismisses the lock screen and takes you to sign-in.
What’s the difference between the lock screen and the sign-in screen?
The lock screen shows the picture, time and widgets. Pressing a key moves you to the sign-in screen, where you enter your PIN or password.
Can I hide my email address on the sign-in screen?
Yes. Microsoft’s sign-in options page includes Show account details on the sign-in screen under Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Turn it off to hide your email address.
Where do Windows spotlight images come from?
Microsoft supplies them, and they change automatically. If you want to keep one, set a picture you like using the Picture option instead.
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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