Are you bored with your daily desktop background? Windows Spotlight provides a dynamic solution by showcasing a variety of stunning images on your screen. Did you know that you can save these beautiful wallpapers to your Windows 10 or 11 desktop? This guide will lead you through the process of locating and saving Windows Spotlight images, as well as downloading them directly from an app.

Useful tip: Looking for more variety? Explore these amazing 4K desktop backgrounds for Windows.

Table of Contents

• Save Windows Spotlight Wallpapers via File Explorer
• Download Windows Spotlight Images Directly from an App
• Other Methods to Save Windows Spotlight Wallpaper
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Windows Spotlight?

Windows Spotlight is an automatic feature that downloads and displays a collection of breathtaking images on your lock screen. These images feature a range of global landscapes, famous landmarks, and captivating scenes.

In addition to the visuals, Windows Spotlight provides helpful tips, intriguing facts, and valuable information tailored to your preferences and activities. This feature evolves and delivers a personalized experience over time by analyzing your usage patterns.

Although the images change automatically, you can express your preference by liking or disliking a particular image, allowing Windows Spotlight to tailor its recommendations to your tastes.

Useful tip: While Windows Spotlight images are often stunning, they're not the only Microsoft-fueled collection that can impress you. You might also enjoy using the Daily Bing Wallpaper as your desktop background.

Save Windows Spotlight Wallpapers via File Explorer

Windows Spotlight images might be hidden, but we're here to guide you to the secret folder where they are stored.

1. Begin by launching File Explorer on your PC.

2. Copy and paste the following path into the address bar of File Explorer and hit Enter:

<code>%LocalAppdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy/LocalState/Assets</code>

3. You have now entered the hidden "Assets" folder where Windows Spotlight images are kept.

4. You'll see white thumbnails with long, alphanumeric filenames in the "Assets" folder. These files contain not just Spotlight images but also smaller pictures and non-image files. To streamline the process, sort them.

If you don't see any files in this folder, it's either because Windows Spotlight has been disabled for some time, and no wallpapers have been downloaded, or you have set hidden files to be invisible.

To resolve the first issue, keep Windows Spotlight enabled for a few days, and images should begin to accumulate. If you spot an image you like on your lock screen, its file will be in the "Assets" folder. Check the FAQ below if you're unsure about enabling or disabling Windows Spotlight.

To address the second issue, refer to our guide on how to show hidden files in Windows.

Sort and Save Spotlight Images

1. With the "Assets" folder open, click the "Sort" menu in the File Explorer ribbon.

2. Select "More," then choose "Size."

3. The files will be sorted in descending order by size, with the largest ones at the top.

4. Focus on files larger than 300KB, as smaller files are unlikely to be Spotlight images. Select all these files.

5. Right-click the selected files in the "Assets" folder and click the Copy icon.

6. Create a new folder on your PC where you can easily access Windows Spotlight images for use as wallpaper. You might name it "Windows Spotlight" or something similar.

7. Paste the copied files into the new folder.

8. Right-click each file and select the Rename icon, then append ".JPG" to the filename to change its type.

9. If the file is indeed an image, you can open it with any image viewer or editor of your choice.

By following these steps, you can easily locate, sort, and save Windows Spotlight images for your enjoyment.

FYI: If you have multiple monitors, you don't need to use the same wallpaper on all of them. You can set different wallpapers for each screen.

Download Windows Spotlight Images Directly from an App

If you prefer downloading Windows Spotlight images directly from an app, there are several options available. We'll use Spotlight Wallpaper as an example in this guide.

1. Open the Microsoft Store on your computer.

2. Search for "Spotlight Wallpaper" in the search bar.

3. Click "Get" to download and install the app.

4. Once the app is open, you'll see a gallery of all the Spotlight images that have appeared on your PC under the "Spotlight" section.

5. Click on any image, then press the small icon in the lower-right corner to download it to your PC.

6. You can also set the image as wallpaper or your lock screen directly from the app by clicking the next icon.

Some apps will scan your computer for wallpaper, but others simply download the wallpaper directly from Microsoft’s servers. This can be useful if your own computer hasn’t cached many of the wallpapers yet.

Note: Even when downloading apps from reputable sources like the Microsoft Store, always ensure you have a good antivirus program installed to avoid accidentally downloading malware.

Other Methods to Save Windows Spotlight Wallpaper

Another way to save Windows Spotlight wallpaper is to use the Run command.

1. Press Windows Key R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Enter the following in the window and press Enter:

<code>%localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets</code>

3. This will direct you to the folder where Windows Spotlight images are stored. From there, follow the same steps as outlined in the Explorer-based method above.
4. Visit a website like Windows Spotlight Images, where images are cataloged by their asset code names, ready for download and use as wallpaper and screensavers.

Tip: Need an image with a transparent background for a project? Check out these top websites for such images.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Windows Spotlight images as my desktop wallpaper?

Yes. Save the image to your computer, right-click on your desktop, select "Personalize," and choose the saved image as your wallpaper. Just remember to change the file name extension to .JPG as described above, or you won’t see the image as an option.

Can I disable Windows Spotlight?

Yes! Navigate to "Settings -> Personalization -> Lock screen," then select "Picture" or "Slideshow" from the menu next to "Personalize your lock screen" instead of "Windows Spotlight." In our experience, Windows Spotlight stops downloading new images when it’s disabled, so the next time you turn it on, you may not see any new photos for a while.

How often do Windows Spotlight images change?

Windows Spotlight images typically change every few days. The frequency can depend on various factors, including location and device activity. In our experience, the image changes daily, but it can take some time for a selection to build up in your assets folder.

Image credit: Windows 10 Spotlight. All screenshots by Sydney Butler.

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