Windows has always been a customizable operating system, and Microsoft now plans to update personalization settings in Windows 11 to support new features, including new themes of Windows Spotlight on the desktop and Windows clipboard + emoji menu. Spotlight has been a part of Windows since 2015. It displays high-resolution images to make the lock screen or login screen more visual, similar to the daily wallpaper that appears on the Bing search engine. Spotlight is integrated into the operating system. And occasionally it will show ads in suggestions.
Spotlight is provided by Bing. The quality of these images is very good, and they can also be used on the desktop. Coupled with the feedback that Microsoft has listened to, starting from Windows 11 22H2, users will be able to use the lock screen or Spotlight pictures as the desktop background.
In Windows 11 Build 22518, Microsoft is testing a new personalized setting Spotlight Collection. After enabling this feature, Microsoft will update the desktop background with new images from the Spotlight series. The same Spotlight collection also provides support for lock screen and Bing, but it has been updated to bring better support for the Windows desktop. In addition to the new pictures, Microsoft also plans to provide interesting facts about each picture directly on the desktop.
To enable Spotlight collection on the desktop, follow these steps:
- Update to the development channel (Build 22518+).
- Right-click on your desktop and select Personalize. Or open Windows Settings>Personalization.
- Select Background.
- Click the Personalize your background drop-down menu.
- Select Spotlight Series.
After setting, you can immediately see an inspiring picture as the desktop background. It is not difficult to notice that a new Spotlight icon will be pinned to the upper right of the screen. You can click on the Spotlight icon to learn more about the background.
A Spotlight series can include up to five background pictures, and the desktop will rotate among the five pictures. As we mentioned at the beginning, Microsoft is currently experimenting with the new settings of Windows 11 Build 22518 in the Dev Channe project of Insider. For users outside the test plan, Microsoft is planning to roll out updated personalized settings in the second half of 2022.
In addition, Microsoft is also making new personalized settings for your text input, such as the Windows clipboard and emoji panel. As you can see in the screenshot above, you will be able to use the existing 13 keyboard themes for the emoji panel and voice input. You can find new theme options in the new Text Input section under Settings> Personalization.