How to Change Wallpaper on Your PC: A Comprehensive Guide (2023)

Introduction Your PC's wallpaper is the visual centerpiece of your desktop, and it should be something that resonates with your personality and style. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of changing your wallpaper on a Windows 10 device. Whether you already have an image in mind or are looking for inspiration, we've got you covered. Let's dive in and transform your desktop into something truly remarkable.

Evolution of the Desktop The desktop has been the default home screen on Windows 10 devices for quite some time, and while it may not have undergone significant changes over the past decade, one aspect has remained etched in our memories – the wallpaper. As a child, I fondly remember the Windows XP default wallpaper, a photograph called Bliss captured by Charles O'Rear in 1996. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and tranquility, creating a serene backdrop for my work. However, personalization is key, and now I have a darker background that complements my dark mode programs, ensuring comfortable screen visibility during nighttime work sessions.

Changing Your PC's Wallpaper: A Step-by-Step Guide To change your wallpaper on Windows 10, there are several options at your disposal. Let's start with the primary method – using the Personalization settings.

1. Right-click your desktop and select "Personalize," or press the Windows key and 'I' together to open Settings, then click on "Personalization."
2. Under "Choose your picture," click "Browse" to open File Explorer and select the photo you want to set as your wallpaper.
3. Once you've chosen the image, voila! Your PC will have a fresh new look.

Alternatively, you can change the wallpaper directly from File Explorer or the Photos app:

Change Wallpaper in File Explorer:

1. Locate the image you want to set as your wallpaper in File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the image and select "Set as desktop background."

Change Wallpaper in the Photos App:

1. Open the Photos app, the default image viewer for Windows 10.
2. Click or tap on the hamburger menu (three dots) at the top right.
3. Select "Set as" and choose "Background."

Choosing the Perfect Fit When setting a new wallpaper, it's essential to consider the fit to ensure it appears as intended on your screen. Windows 10 offers several fit options to help you achieve the desired look:

1. Fill: This option makes the image fill the entire screen, potentially cropping it.
2. Fit: The image is fit as well as possible, ensuring it isn't cropped, but it may result in black or white borders.
3. Stretch: This stretches the image to fit your screen entirely, which may cause some distortion.
4. Tile: Creating a pattern out of your image on the display, suitable for checkerboard or blended images.
5. Center: Places your image in the center of the screen, potentially resulting in black borders.
6. Span: Spans the image across multiple displays if you have multiple monitors.

Personally, my favorite fit method is Fill because it fills the entire screen without stretching the image. However, it's important to note that image crop may be a concern for some users.

Exploring Wallpaper Styles In addition to a single image, Windows 10 also offers the option to use a slideshow or a solid color as your wallpaper. Let's explore these options:

1. Picture: This is the default option, allowing you to set a single image as your wallpaper.
2. Solid Color: Choose a solid color as your background by selecting this option and customizing the color according to your preference.
3. Slideshow: Select a folder on your computer where the images you want to use for the slideshow are located. You can adjust the frequency of wallpaper changes and shuffle the images.

It's worth noting that using a slideshow may consume more battery power than a single image. Be sure to adjust the settings accordingly, especially when using your device on battery power.

Choosing the Perfect Wallpaper To select a wallpaper that enhances your computer's aesthetics, consider the screen resolution and aspect ratio. The most common aspect ratio is 16:9, making it easier to find wallpapers that fit well. However, for more precise results, determining your display's resolution is crucial:

1. Press Win + I or click "Home" if you are already in the Settings app to access your PC's settings.
2. Click on "System," then select "Display."
3. Scroll down to "Scale and layout" and locate the "Display resolution" box. Here, you can view and adjust your display's resolution.

To check a photo's resolution, right-click the image in File Explorer, click "Properties," then select "Details" to find the dimensions. This allows you to determine if the photo is a good fit for your display.

Bing Wallpaper: A Daily Refresh If you crave a fresh wallpaper every day, Microsoft offers a free app called Bing Wallpaper. This app automatically changes your background to a brand-new image daily, matching the Bing search engine's featured image. While the wallpapers are stunning, it's worth noting that they may not always align with your dark theme and may feature Bing watermarks in the corner. Nonetheless, if you desire a daily change, Bing Wallpaper certainly delivers.

Conclusion Congratulations! You have successfully replaced your PC's wallpaper, giving it a whole new look and feel. We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with valuable insights and helped you find the perfect wallpaper for your desktop. Feel free to share your new desktop look in the comments below; we'd love to see it! If you have any further questions or need assistance with your PC, don't hesitate to reach out. Happy wallpapering!