Introduction
Having multiple desktop wallpapers on Windows 11 is a great way to add visual interest to your desktop. With just a few simple steps, you can set different wallpapers for each virtual desktop or monitor you have. In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know to use multiple wallpapers on Windows 11.
Prerequisites
Before you can use multiple wallpapers on Windows 11, you need to make sure:
- You are running Windows 11 on your PC. Multiple wallpapers are only supported on Windows 11, not previous versions of Windows.
- You have more than one virtual desktop enabled. To check, right-click on the desktop and select “Show windows on all desktops” to enable multiple virtual desktops.
- You have more than one monitor connected to your PC, if you want different wallpapers per monitor.
Setting Per-Desktop Wallpapers
Here are the steps to set different wallpaper images for each virtual desktop in Windows 11:
1. Select Wallpaper Images
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Open File Explorer and browse to the location where your desired wallpaper images are saved.
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Select all the wallpaper images you want to use. You need at least as many images as the number of virtual desktops you have enabled.
2. Right-click Wallpaper
- Right-click on an empty space on the desktop and select “Personalize”.
3. Select Background Settings
- In the Personalization window, click on “Background” at the top.
4. Choose Individual Wallpapers
- Under Background, select “Individual wallpapers” from the dropdown menu.
5. Assign Wallpapers
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You will now see thumbnails of your virtual desktops. Hover over each and click “Browse” to select the wallpaper image you want for that specific desktop.
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Repeat this for each virtual desktop thumbnail.
6. Finish and Apply
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Once you’ve chosen a wallpaper for each desktop, click “Done”.
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Finally click “Apply” to confirm the changes.
The different wallpaper images will now be applied to each virtual desktop!
Setting Per-Monitor Wallpapers
To set different wallpaper images for each connected monitor or display:
1. Identify Monitors
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Right-click the desktop and open “Display settings”.
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Take note of which monitor is labeled 1, 2, etc.
2. Select Wallpapers
- Select the wallpaper images you want and make sure you have one for each monitor.
3. Set Wallpapers
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Return to “Background” in Personalization settings.
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Under Background, choose “Span” from the dropdown menu.
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Click on each monitor thumbnail and browse to choose the desired wallpaper for that display.
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Click “Apply” when finished.
The chosen wallpapers will now show on your respective monitors!
Tips for Using Multiple Wallpapers
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Make sure your wallpaper images are high resolution so they don’t look pixelated or blurry on the desktop.
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Pick wallpapers that share a similar style or color palette for a cohesive look.
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Use a consistent wallpaper on your primary desktop to avoid distraction when switching between virtual desktops.
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Feel free to mix up your wallpapers regularly to keep your desktop looking fresh.
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Check that your wallpapers are set as “Fill” rather than “Fit” or “Span” for best results.
Troubleshooting
If you don’t see your chosen wallpapers applied:
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Restart your PC and try setting the wallpapers again from the beginning.
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Check that virtual desktops are enabled and you selected enough wallpaper images.
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Make sure your images are JPG, PNG or BMP format. Other formats may not work.
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Try selecting “Fill” again as the background layout if wallpapers look distorted.
So that covers everything you need to know to use multiple desktop wallpapers on Windows 11! With just a few clicks, you can easily set different desktop backgrounds to match your style and preferences. Feel free to experiment and customize your virtual desktops.
