Changing the desktop wallpaper or desktop background is a very straightforward job in Windows 11. However, when using Windows 11 without activation, the Settings > Personalization > Background page shows a “You need to activate Windows before you can personalize your PC” message and does not let you change the desktop wallpaper.
If you are using a copy of Windows 11 installation and want to set your own picture as desktop wallpaper, you will be glad to know that there are ways to change the Windows 11 desktop background without activating your copy of Windows 11. It’s just that the Settings app does not let you change the desktop background without activation. Other parts of the operating system, including File Explorer and Photos app, allow you change the desktop background with a few mouse clicks.
Method 1 of 4
Change Windows 11 desktop wallpaper without activation from the File Explorer
Step 1: Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the photo you want to set as desktop wallpaper.
Step 2: Right-click the picture file and then click Set as desktop background to set it as the desktop wallpaper immediately. That’s it!
Method 2 of 4
Another way to change the Windows 11 desktop background without activating it
Step 1: In the File Explorer, navigate to the folder where the image is saved.
Step 2: Select the image by clicking it.
Step 3: Click the Set as background button in the File Explorer toolbar to set it as the desktop background.
NOTE: If the Set as background does not appear, it’s most likely because you have not selected the picture file.
Method 3 of 4
Use the built-in Photos app to change the Windows 11 desktop background without activating it
Step 1: In the File Explorer, go to the location where the picture file that you wish to set as your desktop background is present.
Step 2: Double-click on the picture file to open it with the default Photos app.
If you have set any other app as the default picture viewer, right-click the picture file, click Open with, and then click Photos to open it with the Photos app.
NOTE: If the Photos app is missing, you can get it from the Microsoft Store app for free.
Step 3: Once the picture is open in the Photos app, right-click the image, click Set as, and then click Background to set the new picture as the desktop wallpaper.
Method 4 of 4
Use Firefox to change Windows 11 desktop wallpaper without activation
Step 1: Right-click the picture file that you wish to see as desktop wallpaper, click Open with, and then click Firefox to open the picture file with the selected app.
Step 2: Once the picture is open in Firefox, right-click the picture in the browser and then click the ” Set as desktop background option. Simple as that!
In addition to these methods, you can also use the Command Prompt and several other third-party apps to change the desktop wallpaper without activation.
Our how to change Windows 11 lock screen picture without activation guide might also interest you.
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