How to Set the Lock Screen Display on Windows 10/11: A Step-by-Step Guide

The lock screen is the first thing you see when you start your Windows 10 or 11 device or when it wakes up from sleep. Customizing your lock screen can make your device more personal and functional. This guide will walk you through the steps to set and customize the lock screen display on both operating systems.

Step-by-Step Guide for Windows 10

Step 1: Open Settings

1. Click on the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Select the Settings gear icon from the Start menu.

Step 2: Access Personalization Settings

1. In the Settings window, click on Personalization.
2. Select Lock screen from the left-hand menu.

Step 3: Choose a Background

1. Under the Background section, click the dropdown menu to select one of the following options:
   • Windows Spotlight: Automatically changes the lock screen image daily with beautiful images provided by Microsoft.
   • Picture: Choose a single image as your lock screen background. Click Browse to select an image from your computer.
   • Slideshow: Select a folder of images to cycle through on your lock screen. Click Add a folder to choose a folder containing your images.

Step 4: Customize Lock Screen Apps

1. Scroll down to the Choose which apps show quick status on the lock screen section.
2. Click on the icons to select which apps can show detailed or quick status updates, such as Calendar, Mail, or Weather.

Step 5: Enable/Disable Fun Facts, Tips, and More

1. Scroll down and toggle the switch under Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen to enable or disable this feature.

Step-by-Step Guide for Windows 11

Step 1: Open Settings

1. Click on the Start button in the center or left of your taskbar.
2. Select the Settings gear icon from the Start menu.

Step 2: Access Personalization Settings

1. In the Settings window, click on Personalization in the left-hand menu.
2. Select Lock screen from the Personalization menu.

Step 3: Choose a Background

1. Under the Personalize your lock screen section, click the dropdown menu to select one of the following options:
   • Windows Spotlight: Automatically changes the lock screen image daily with beautiful images provided by Microsoft.
   • Picture: Choose a single image as your lock screen background. Click Browse to select an image from your computer.
   • Slideshow: Select a folder of images to cycle through on your lock screen. Click Add a folder to choose a folder containing your images.

Step 4: Customize Lock Screen Apps

1. Scroll down to the Lock screen status section.
2. Use the dropdown menus to select which apps can show detailed or quick status updates, such as Calendar, Mail, or Weather.

Step 5: Enable/Disable Fun Facts, Tips, and More

1. Scroll down and toggle the switch under Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen to enable or disable this feature.

Additional Tips

• Use High-Quality Images: For the best visual experience, use high-resolution images for your lock screen background.
• Sync Settings: If you use multiple Windows devices, enable sync settings to apply your lock screen customizations across all devices.
• Accessibility Options: Check the Ease of Access settings for additional options to make the lock screen more accessible.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Lock Screen Not Updating: If your lock screen background doesn’t change as expected, ensure Windows is updated to the latest version and that your chosen background settings are correctly applied.
• Performance Impact: If you notice performance issues, try using a single image instead of a slideshow or Windows Spotlight, which may use more system resources.
• App Status Not Displaying: Ensure that the apps you select to show status updates are installed and configured to run in the background.

Customizing your lock screen on Windows 10 and 11 is a simple way to make your device more personal and functional. Whether you prefer a static image, a dynamic slideshow, or the daily-changing Windows Spotlight, you have plenty of options to choose from. For more detailed tutorials and tips on optimizing your Windows settings, visit Tune Windows.