This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable changing the lock screen background for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The lock screen (aka: welcome screen) is the screen you see at startup and when you lock the computer (Win+L). You will need to dismiss the lock screen to to see the sign-in screen and sign in to Windows.
Users can change their lock screen background to Windows Spotlight, a picture, or a slideshow by default.
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable changing the lock screen background.
If you have more than one display, the lock screen will only show on the main display.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Changing Lock Screen Background in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Changing Lock Screen Background using REG file
EXAMPLE: Changing lock screen background disabled
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization
3 In the right pane of Personalization in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Prevent changing lock screen and logon image policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
5 Enable Changing Lock Screen Background for All Users
This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
6 Disable Changing Lock Screen Background for All Users
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
2 Enable Changing Lock Screen Background for All Users
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_changing_lock_screen_background.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization]
"NoChangingLockScreen"=-3 Disable Changing Lock Screen Background for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_changing_lock_screen_background.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization]
"NoChangingLockScreen"=dword:000000014 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Related Tutorials
- Enable or Disable Lock Screen in Windows 11
- Change Lock Screen Background to Windows Spotlight, Picture, or Slideshow in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Lock Screen Slideshow in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Show Lock Screen Background on Sign-in Screen in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Lock Screen Background Motion in Windows 11
- Enable or Disable Facts, Tips, and Tricks on Lock Screen in Windows 11
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