How to put a wallpaper on your laptop

Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system came with a ton of new features like Android apps on your Windows PC, natively supporting Microsoft Teams and a cleaner, more Mac-like design. But Windows 11 also gives you options for new wallpaper

How to put a wallpaper on your laptop

If you're not a fan of Microsoft's new default wallpaper -- a blooming, abstract flower shape that pays homage to Windows 10's royal blue colors -- you can change it up. Windows 11 has other default images, or you can change your wallpaper to a photo you've saved or uploaded to your PC.

Read more: Windows 11 is Familiar but Fresh

We'll show you how to switch your wallpaper to a background you're fond of with just a few steps. You can also create virtual desktops and a breakdown of our favorite features. This story was recently updated. 

How to put a wallpaper on your laptop

The default Windows 11 wallpaper features an abstract blue swirl design.

Microsoft/Screenshot by Sarah Tew/CNET

How do I change my Windows 11 wallpaper?

Once you have access to Windows 11, here's how to change your wallpaper: 

1. Click the on-screen Windows button or press the Windows button on your keyboard.

2. Click Settings.

3. Go to Personalization.

4. Choose Background.

5. Select an already available image or click Browse to search for an image you've saved to your PC.

Changes to the default wallpaper only scratch the surface of the design and feature changes found on the Windows 11 desktop. For example, you'll also find ways to customize your Windows 11 desktop with widgets, virtual desktops and Snap Group layouts. 

For more, check out the big changes between Windows 10 and Windows 11 and where you can find the new Start menu.

How to put a wallpaper on your laptop

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The blue Windows 10 wallpaper is nice to look at, but it's more fun to choose the background you want on your laptop. After all, you're going to be the one staring at the screen all day and don't want to be peering at a dark blue logo for hours on end. You should also look into changing your icon size, as well as saving the beautiful Windows 10 lock screen images so you have more wallpaper options. For more granular customization, try enabling Dark Mode or Light Mode on Windows 10 and consider changing to these beautiful themes. 

With that said, here's how to change your desktop background in Windows 10.

How to Change Your Desktop Background in Windows 10

How to change your desktop background in Windows 10

1. Click on the Windows icon in the lower left of your screen next to the search bar.

press on the windows icon in the bottom left corner

2. Click on Settings in the list on the left.

press on settings in the windows 10 menu

MORE: How to Use Windows 10 - Guide for Beginners & Power Users

3. Click on Personalization, which is fourth from the bottom on the list.

press personalization from the windows menu

4. Click on Background. The background page will come up which allows you to preview your background picture and lets you choose from several photos or your own photos for your desktop background.

click on background in personalization

5. Click on the box underneath Background to choose between a picture, solid color, or slideshow for your background.

change background wallpaper type using the drop-down

6. Underneath Choose your picture, click on one of the options or click Browse to choose one from your computer. Click on whatever photo you want and it will appear as your desktop background.

click on one of the default photo options or upload your own

press browse to upload your own photo

7. If you don't like the layout of the photo, you can click on the box underneath. Under Choose a fit, pick between fill, fit, stretch, tile, or center options for your background.

select choose a fit to change the size

8. Once you've made your selections, your Windows 10 background will change automatically, no manual submitting required. 

  • How to Use Windows 10 - Guide for Beginners & Power Users
  • How to Reset Your Windows 10 PC
  • How to Snap 4 Windows at Once in Windows 10

Customize Windows 10

  • Previous Tip
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  • Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Make Windows 10 Look and Feel Like Windows 7
  • Change the Default Windows Font
  • Turn Off Notification and System Sounds
  • Change Your Desktop Background in Windows 10
  • Change the Icon Size
  • Give Windows 10 a Dark Theme
  • Make Your Own Windows 10 Theme
  • Hide Your Name on the Login Screen
  • Add Another Column to the Start Menu
  • Get Mac-Like File Previews
  • Add My Computer Icon to Desktop
  • Edit Photos to Fit as Backgrounds
  • Add Accent Colors
  • Customize Autoplay Menu
  • Install and Delete Fonts
  • Customize the Action Center
  • Disable Transparency Effects
  • Get Classic Solitaire and Minesweeper
  • Change the Look of Windows 10 Books
  • Add a URL Field to the Taskbar
  • Add Clocks from Multiple Time Zones
  • Get the Old Volume Control Back
  • Disable Windows 10 Startup Delay
  • Add Quick Contacts to the Start Menu
  • Show Hidden Files and Folders
  • Enable Spatial Sound
  • Best Themes
  • All Windows 10 Tips
  • Change the Login Screen Background
  • Install New Desktop Themes

How do I set my wallpaper?

Change your wallpaper.
Step 1 of 6. On the Home screen, touch and hold an empty space..
Step 2 of 6. Tap Wallpapers..
Step 3 of 6. Select a category to find wallpaper options. ... .
Step 4 of 6. Select an image..
Step 5 of 6. Tap Set Wallpaper..
Step 6 of 6. Choose where you want to see this wallpaper..

How do you set a wallpaper on a HP laptop?

Right-click an empty area of the Desktop, and then click Personalize. Click Desktop Background to open the settings window. To change the Desktop image, select one of the standard backgrounds, or click Browse and navigate to a picture stored on the computer.