In Windows 11, you can have Windows Spotlight display different background images on your desktop and lock screen, and occasionally offers suggestions on the lock screen.
If Windows Spotlights stops working and/or stops changing the background image, you can reset and re-register Windows Spotlight to fix it.
This tutorial will show you how to reset and re-register Windows Spotlight for your account in Windows 11.
Windows Spotlight will not work while connected to a metered network (ethernet or wireless), or in Battery Saver mode.
Sometimes it may take 24 to 48 hours after resetting for Windows Spotlight to sync again.
EXAMPLE: Windows Spotlight on Desktop and Lock screen
Here's How:
1 Change your desktop background to something other than Windows Spotlight. (see screenshot below)
This step is only available in Windows 11 build 22557 and higher.

Change Desktop Background in Windows 11 Tutorial
You can change your desktop background in Windows 11 to be a picture, solid color, a slideshow, or Spotlight collection. A picture background can apply to a specific desktop or all desktops. Solid color, slideshow, and Spotlight collection backgrounds apply to all your desktops. Starting with...

2 Change your lock screen background to something other than Windows Spotlight. (see screenshot below)

Change Lock Screen Background to Windows Spotlight, Picture, or Slideshow in Windows 11 Tutorial
The lock screen is the screen you see at startup and when you lock (Win+L) the PC. You will need to dismiss the lock screen to to see the sign-in screen and sign in to Windows. You can choose an app to show detailed status on the lock screen. You can select to have Windows Spotlight, picture...

3 Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Reset_and_re-register_Windows_Spotlight.bat
(Contents of BAT file for reference)
Code:
:: Reset Windows Spotlight
DEL /F /S /Q /A "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets"
DEL /F /S /Q /A "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Settings"
:: Re-register Windows Spotlight
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *ContentDeliveryManager*).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}"
4 Save the .bat file to your desktop.
5 unblock and run the .bat file.
6 Restart the computer to apply.
7 After you sign in, you can change your desktop background back to Windows Spotlight if wanted. (see screenshot below)
This step is only available in Windows 11 build 22557 and higher.

Change Desktop Background in Windows 11 Tutorial
You can change your desktop background in Windows 11 to be a picture, solid color, a slideshow, or Spotlight collection. A picture background can apply to a specific desktop or all desktops. Solid color, slideshow, and Spotlight collection backgrounds apply to all your desktops. Starting with...

8 Change your lock screen background back to Windows Spotlight if wanted. (see screenshot below)

Change Lock Screen Background to Windows Spotlight, Picture, or Slideshow in Windows 11 Tutorial
The lock screen is the screen you see at startup and when you lock (Win+L) the PC. You will need to dismiss the lock screen to to see the sign-in screen and sign in to Windows. You can choose an app to show detailed status on the lock screen. You can select to have Windows Spotlight, picture...

That's it,
Shawn Brink
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