Open Settings > Personalization > Background and pick Windows spotlight to get a new Microsoft photo on your Windows 11 desktop every day, or install the free Bing Wallpaper app if you want the exact Bing homepage image.
This guide covers both routes, the lock screen, saving images, fit and multi-monitor setups, fixes when the picture stops changing, and how to turn it all off.
The Best Option for Most People: Windows Spotlight
Windows Spotlight is built into Windows 11, so there is nothing to install. Microsoft describes it as a new image from around the world every day on your desktop.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and select Personalize, or open Start > Settings > Personalization.
- Select Background.
- Open the Personalize your background drop-down menu.
- Select Windows spotlight.
- Go back to the desktop. The current Spotlight photo appears, and it changes to a new one each day.
- To learn about the current picture, hover over it or click the Learn about this picture icon in the lower-right area of the desktop.
The hover and Learn about this picture icon behaviour arrived with the February 25, 2025 preview update (KB5052093) for Windows 11 version 24H2, so older builds may show a different icon.
After the October 2024 update KB5046633 for Windows 11 version 23H2, Windows spotlight became the default wallpaper, so some PCs already have it switched on.
Use the Official Bing Wallpaper App for Bing Homepage Images
Spotlight uses its own set of photos. If you specifically want the picture shown on the Bing.com homepage each day, use Microsoft's Bing Wallpaper app. It runs on Windows 10 and later, including Windows 11.
- Open your browser and go to
https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper. - Select Download Bing Wallpaper and run the installer from your Downloads folder.
- Read the terms on the page first: installing means you accept the Microsoft Services Agreement and Privacy Statement, and you will get in-app promotional notifications from Microsoft.
- Open the app once it installs and choose the Bing theme for the daily homepage image. Other themes include Travel, Animals, Nature and Featured.
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Startup and make sure the Bing Wallpaper toggle is set to On, so the image keeps refreshing after every restart.
Each daily image comes with context, such as facts about the subject and the Bing homepage quiz. For background on how the app first launched, see Microsoft's original Bing Wallpaper app release.
Windows Spotlight vs. Bing Wallpaper: Which Should You Use?
| Your situation | Use this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want a new photo daily with nothing to install | Windows Spotlight | Built into Settings, turns on in four clicks |
| You want the exact Bing.com homepage photo of the day | Bing Wallpaper app | The app pulls the Bing image of the day and its caption |
| You want themes such as travel, animals or nature | Bing Wallpaper app | The app offers theme categories; Spotlight has no theme picker |
| You want the same daily photo on the lock screen | Windows Spotlight | It works on both the desktop and the lock screen |
| You want to pick the fit (Fill, Fit, Span) | Picture or Slideshow with saved Bing images | Microsoft lists fit options for Picture and Slideshow backgrounds |
| Your PC is managed by work or school | Ask your IT admin first | Spotlight can be switched off by organization policy |
Set Bing Photos on the Lock Screen Too
The lock screen has its own Spotlight setting, separate from the desktop one. Turn on both to see a rotating set of Microsoft photos everywhere.
- Select Start > Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
- Open the Personalize your lock screen drop-down menu and select Windows spotlight.
- Turn on Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen if you want details about the photo on the lock screen itself.
- Turn on Show the lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen so the same photo appears when you enter your PIN or password.
- Lock the PC and check the new image on the lock screen.
Use a Microsoft Store App for More Control
Built-in Slideshow gives you control over the change interval and shuffle order. Pair it with a folder of saved Bing images, or use a wallpaper app from the Microsoft Store if you want automatic downloads.
- Open Microsoft Store from the Start menu and search for Bing wallpaper.
- Open a listing and check the publisher name, rating and the permissions shown on the app page before you install it.
- Select Get or Install, then open the app and choose a download folder if it offers one.
- Open Settings > Personalization > Background and select Slideshow from Personalize your background.
- Select Browse, choose the folder that holds the Bing images, then set how often the picture changes and whether to shuffle.
- Right-click the desktop and select Next desktop background to jump to the next photo at any time.
Install wallpaper apps only from the Microsoft Store or from Microsoft's own site, never from a download portal.
How to Save Bing or Spotlight Images
The Bing homepage has a documented download button, which is the simplest way to keep a photo you like. Microsoft does not document a save button for Spotlight pictures, so find the same subject on Bing when you want a copy.
- Go to
https://www.bing.comin your browser. - Hover over the image headline in the lower-right corner of the homepage.
- Select Download today's image. If licensing does not allow a download, the page shows a link to the Bing Wallpaper app instead.
- Select < or > next to the headline to browse the last seven days of images and download an earlier one.
- Open File Explorer, right-click the saved picture and select Set as desktop background.
Most daily images can be downloaded, but not all of them. Images you save this way work with Picture and Slideshow, which also unlocks the fit options below.
How to Change the Wallpaper Fit
Microsoft lists fit options for Picture and Slideshow backgrounds. Open Settings > Personalization > Background, then change the fit setting next to your picture choice.
| Fit | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fill | Enlarges the image to cover the whole screen; edges may be cropped | Most Bing photos on a single monitor |
| Fit | Keeps the aspect ratio; bars may appear on the sides or top and bottom | Seeing the entire photo uncropped |
| Stretch | Covers the screen and may distort the image | Photos already at your screen's aspect ratio |
| Tile | Repeats the image across the screen | Small images or patterns |
| Center | Places the image in the middle without resizing | Images smaller than the screen |
| Span | Spreads one image across multiple monitors | Panoramic Bing photos on two or more displays |
Using Bing Daily Photos with Multiple Monitors
With two or more displays, the background type decides what each screen shows.
| What you want | Background type | How to set it |
|---|---|---|
| One Bing photo across all screens | Picture | Pick the saved image, then choose Span as the fit |
| The same Bing photo on every screen | Picture | Right-click the image under Recent images and choose to set it for all displays |
| A different Bing photo on each screen | Picture | Right-click a different image for each monitor and pick that monitor |
| A rotating mix across screens | Slideshow | Each screen shows a different picture from the folder you select |
| Several virtual desktops | Picture | Right-click the preview and select Set for all desktops or a specific desktop; per-monitor pictures and Slideshow are not supported with multiple desktops |
How to check the daily photo is working
- Open Settings > Personalization > Background and confirm Personalize your background shows Windows spotlight, Slideshow or the picture the Bing Wallpaper app set.
- Look for the Learn about this picture icon in the lower-right area of the desktop when Spotlight is active.
- Compare today's desktop photo with the image on
https://www.bing.comif you use the Bing Wallpaper app with the Bing theme. - Check the desktop again the next day. A new photo means the daily refresh is working.
- Lock the PC and confirm the lock screen shows a Spotlight photo too.
What to Do If Bing or Spotlight Wallpapers Stop Updating
The Spotlight wallpaper does not change daily
Spotlight needs an internet connection to fetch new images, and a stuck setting can leave one photo in place.
- Check your internet connection by opening any website in your browser.
- Open Settings > Personalization > Background and switch Personalize your background to Picture.
- Wait a few seconds, then switch it back to Windows spotlight.
- Repeat the same switch under Settings > Personalization > Lock screen if the lock screen photo is also stuck.
- Restart the PC and check the desktop the following day.
The Windows spotlight option is missing or cannot be changed
Work and school PCs can have Spotlight turned off or replaced with a custom image by organization policy.
- Ask your IT admin whether a Windows spotlight policy or custom background is applied.
- Use the Bing homepage download and Picture background as a workaround if the policy allows a personal background.
The Bing Wallpaper app stopped changing the wallpaper
The app is not running, did not start with Windows, or cannot reach Bing.
- Check your internet connection.
- Restart the Bing Wallpaper app from the Start menu.
- Open Settings > Apps > Startup and set the Bing Wallpaper toggle to On.
- Confirm the Bing theme is still selected in the app if you want the homepage photo.
- Uninstall the app, then reinstall it from
https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaperif it still does not refresh.
A Microsoft Store wallpaper app only updates when it is open
Windows may be stopping the app from running in the background.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the wallpaper app, select More options > Advanced options.
- Under Background app permissions, set Let this app run in background to Always or Power optimized (recommended) instead of Never.
How to Remove Bing Wallpaper or Turn Off Daily Photos
- To turn off Spotlight on the desktop, open Settings > Personalization > Background and choose Picture, Solid color or Slideshow under Personalize your background.
- To turn off Spotlight on the lock screen, open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and choose Picture or Slideshow under Personalize your lock screen.
- To remove the Bing Wallpaper app, select Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Bing Wallpaper, select More > Uninstall, and confirm.
- Pick a new background in Settings > Personalization > Background if you want to replace the current Bing image.
Privacy and Data Notes
| Feature | What it involves | What you can change |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Spotlight | Downloads images from Microsoft and can show suggestions, fun facts and tips | Turn off Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen, or switch to Picture |
| Bing Wallpaper app | Installing it means accepting the Microsoft Services Agreement and Privacy Statement; it shows in-app promotional notifications | Uninstall it from Settings > Apps > Installed apps |
| Third-party Store apps | Each publisher has its own privacy policy and permissions | Review the Store listing before installing and limit background activity in Advanced options |
| Lock screen widgets | Widgets on the lock screen may tailor content based on your estimated location | Remove widgets under Settings > Personalization > Lock screen |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get Bing daily pictures on my desktop?
Open Settings > Personalization > Background and choose Windows spotlight for a new Microsoft photo every day. For the exact Bing homepage picture, install the Bing Wallpaper app from bing.com/apps/wallpaper and select its Bing theme.
How do I get Bing daily images on the lock screen?
Open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and select Windows spotlight under Personalize your lock screen. Turn on Show the lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen to see the same photo when you sign in.
How do I get Bing wallpaper to change daily?
Choose Windows spotlight as your background, or keep the Bing Wallpaper app set to start with Windows under Settings > Apps > Startup. If the photo stays the same, switch the background to Picture and back to Windows spotlight.
How do I get info on the Bing daily photo?
On the desktop, hover over the Spotlight image or click the Learn about this picture icon in the lower-right corner. On Bing.com, hover over the image headline for a caption, or click it for more detail.
How do I find a previous Bing daily image?
On the Bing homepage, select the < or > arrows next to the image headline to see the last seven days of images. Hover over the headline and select Download today's image to save the one shown.
Does Bing have a daily quiz?
Yes. Move your mouse into the area under the Bing homepage search box to reveal the daily quiz, which is based on the day's image. The Bing Wallpaper app also links each daily image to facts and the homepage quiz.
Is the Windows Spotlight picture the same as the Bing homepage image?
Not necessarily. Spotlight shows its own rotating set of Microsoft photos, while the Bing Wallpaper app with the Bing theme follows the Bing.com image of the day. Use the app if matching the homepage matters to you.
Does the Bing Wallpaper app work on Windows 10?
Yes. Microsoft lists the Bing Wallpaper app as compatible with Windows 10 and above, so it runs on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows spotlight on the desktop background is a Windows 11 feature.
Quick Recommendation
Turn on Windows spotlight for both the desktop and the lock screen, and install the Bing Wallpaper app only if you want the exact Bing.com image of the day or its themes. Spotlight is built in, needs no extra software and refreshes daily, while the app adds the homepage photo, captions and theme choices at the cost of another startup program and promotional notifications.
![2 Ways to Completely Delete Bing Search History [Browser & Microsoft Account]](https://techdows.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/iPhone-Safari-settings-with-Clear-History-and-Website-Data-link-600x338.jpg)
