Share via

My windows 11 background wallpaper is automatically changing to default one no mater how many times I change it to what I want

Michal Botha 30 Reputation points
2025-07-15T12:58:24.2366667+00:00

My windows 11 background wallpaper is automatically changing to default one no mater how many times I change it to what I want.

All of my syncing is off, the windows backup remember my preferences is off - its as dumb as i can make it, yet, everytime I add or move to a new desktop, all curently active destops wallpapers revert back to the default microsoft one.
So now, on the desktop I've moved to - I change the wallpaper to what I want, flick back to the previous dektop, and EVERY desktop reverts back to default.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Randy Baroja 14,220 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-15T13:36:17.09+00:00

    Hey there!

    Nice to meet you! I'm Randy, an Independent Advisor.

    That’s really frustrating. If your wallpaper keeps going back to the default, even after you turn off syncing and backup, here are a few things to check.

    First, go to Settings > Personalization > Themes. Sometimes Windows auto-applies a theme that resets your wallpaper. Try setting your wallpaper again and then save it as a new theme.

    If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or a work computer, Group Policy might be forcing the default wallpaper. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop > Desktop. Make sure “Desktop Wallpaper” is set to Not Configured.

    Next, check your background settings. Go to Settings > Personalization > Background and make sure it’s set to Picture, not Slideshow.

    Also, virtual desktops can be tricky. Windows 11 doesn’t fully support different wallpapers for each one. Changing the wallpaper on one desktop might reset it on all. Try using the same wallpaper across all desktops.

    Best regards,

    1 person found this answer helpful.

2 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. David Lovett 5 Reputation points
    2025-10-15T08:29:52.16+00:00

    My laptop has the same problem. I've tried changing all the settings, more than once, but it keeps changing back. If Microsoft can't fix this glitch, at least they could let me set the backdrop to black screen. My computer is a 4 week old HP Radeon5, 16Gb, 512Gb SSD, Win 11. This problem doesn't affect my 12 month old HP i7, 8Gb, 512Gb SSD, Win 11. Both machines are fully patched.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Pipsfc 0 Reputation points
    2025-10-22T06:50:08.4066667+00:00

    I also have this issue on my ASUS ROG tablet. I just tried the above fix of saving the theme. We’ll see if it works.

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.