Microsoft’s Windows 11, like its predecessors, places certain limitations on users who haven’t activated their operating system. Among these limitations is the inability to effortlessly change the desktop wallpaper through the standard personalization settings. While this restriction might seem inconvenient, there are creative detours available that allow users to customize their desktop backgrounds even without official activation.
In this risewindows guide, we’ll uncover various methods that enable you to bypass the activation constraint and revamp your desktop’s appearance. Although Windows 11 might limit direct customization, it can’t prevent ingenious users from finding alternative pathways.
Below, we’ll delve into three primary methods to change and set wallpapers without the need for Windows 11 activation:
- Utilizing File Explorer
- Leveraging the Photos app
- Employing the Paint app
Let’s dive deeper into these methods and equip you with the knowledge to personalize your desktop, activation or not!
How to change the wallpaper in non-activated Windows 11 using File Explorer?
With the help of file explorer, you can change the wallpaper in Windows 11 without activation. For this, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open File Explorer.
Step 2. Next, navigate to the folder that contains your favorite wallpapers.
Step 3. Then, right-click the image or picture you want to set as your desktop background and select the Set as the desktop wallpaper option in the context menu. Alternatively, click the Set as wallpaper button in the toolbar.
You can also set up a desktop slideshow with the help of file explorer. For that, select multiple images at once, then right-click them and select Set as the desktop wallpaper option in the context menu or Set as wallpaper button in the toolbar. Windows 11 will use them for the desktop slideshow.
How to set up a new wallpaper on a non-activated Windows 11 using the Photos app?
The Photos app allows you to change or set a new wallpaper in Windows 11 without activation. The Photos app comes preinstalled in Windows 11, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Open the Photos app.
To launch the Photos app, click the Start button and type photos. Click its name in the search result to open it.
Step 2. Browse for an image you want to use as the Desktop background.
Alternatively, right-click on the image and select Open with > Photos.
Step 3. Next, under the Photos app, click the three-dot button on the toolbar and select Set as > Set as background.
Alternatively, by clicking the three-dot button on the Photos app toolbar, select the Set as > Set as lock screen option to apply the image as the Lock Screen background.
After that, the Photos app will immediately set the image as desktop wallpaper.
How to Change the Desktop Background on Windows 11 without Activation using the Paint App?
With the Paint app, you can also change the desktop background in Windows 11 without activation. For this, do the following steps:-
Step 1. Open the File Explorer.
Step 2. Next, please navigate to the folder where you have kept the image and want to set it as a desktop background.
Step 3. Right-click on the image or picture and select Open with > Paint.
Step 4. Next, click the File menu and select Set as desktop background option. Then, choose the image position: Fill, Tile, or Center for your image on the Desktop.
That’s it.
After that, the Paint app will set your image as a desktop background in Windows 11.
Conclusion
Windows 11 may place restrictions on personalization features for non-activated versions, but as highlighted above, there are always workarounds available. Using utilities and tools like File Explorer, the Photos app, and the Paint app, users can still personalize their desktop and make it truly theirs, despite the imposed limitations. These simple methods ensure that every Windows 11 user, regardless of their activation status, can enjoy a desktop that resonates with their preferences.
