Windows 11 introduces the eye-catching ‘Windows Spotlight’ feature, which transforms your lock screen with dynamic images and insights. If you wish to enable or disable this feature, follow the steps in this guide to Enable or disable Windows Spotlight in Windows 11.
Page Contents
What is Windows Spotlight?
Windows Spotlight enhances the lock screen experience by displaying a variety of images, including photography, artwork, and other visually appealing content. These images change regularly, often daily, offering users a fresh and dynamic background each time they log in.
In addition, Windows Spotlight can also provide users with interesting facts, tips, or app suggestions on the lock screen. This feature aims to provide a more engaging and personalized user experience by delivering content that is both visually appealing and informative.
Below are three solutions that allow you to enable or disable Windows Spotlight in Windows 11:
Solution 1: Enable or disable Windows Spotlight in Windows 11 Using Settings App
Customizing your lock screen background in Windows is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to do it using the Settings app:
1. Open the Settings app and go to “Personalization“.
2. Now, click on “Lock screen“.
3. Under Background, select “Windows Spotlight” and select a different lock screen background.
Solution 2: Enable or disable Windows Spotlight Using Local Group Policy Editor
If you prefer to configure Windows Spotlight using the Local Group Policy Editor, follow these steps to gain more control over Windows Spotlight settings:
1. Press the Windows Key + R. Type “gpedit.msc” and click OK.
2. Navigate to the following path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Cloud Content
3. Here, you will find 7 settings that you can do to enable or disable Windows Spotlight using Local Group Policy Editor.
1. Configure Windows Spotlight on lock screen
- Enabled: Enables Windows Spotlight on the lock screen.
- Disabled: Disables Windows Spotlight on the lock screen.
Additionally, if you select the “Include content from Enterprise spotlight” checkbox.
2. Do not use diagnostic data for tailored experiences
- Enabled: Prevents Windows from using diagnostic data to provide tailored experiences to the user.
- Disabled: Allows Windows to use diagnostic data to provide tailored experiences to the user.
3. Do not suggest third-party content in Windows spotlight
- Enabled: Prevents Windows Spotlight from suggesting apps and content from third-party software publishers.
- Disabled: Allows Windows Spotlight to suggest apps and content from third-party software publishers.
4. Turn off all Windows spotlight features
- Enabled: Disables all Windows Spotlight features, including the lock screen, Windows tips, and Microsoft consumer features.
- Disabled: Enables all Windows Spotlight features.
5. Turn off Windows Spotlight on Action Center
- Enabled: Prevents Windows Spotlight notifications from being shown on the Action Center.
- Disabled: Allows Windows Spotlight notifications to be shown on the Action Center.
6. Turn off Windows spotlight on Settings
- Enabled: Prevents Windows Spotlight suggestions from being shown in the Settings app.
- Disabled: Allows Windows Spotlight suggestions to be shown in the Settings app.
7. Turn off the Windows Welcome Experience
- Enabled: Disables the Windows Welcome Experience, which helps onboard users to Windows.
- Disabled: Enables the Windows Welcome Experience.
Solution 3: Enable or Disable Using Registry Editor
Adjusting Windows Spotlight settings through the Windows Registry Editor offers a high level of control. To begin, follow these steps closely:
1. Press the Windows key + R. Type “regedit.exe” and click OK.
2. Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent
3. Now, right-click on “CloudContent” and select “New => DWORD (32-bit) Value“.
Type “DisableWindowsSpotlightFeatures” and press Enter.
4. Now, double-click on the “DisableWindowsSpotlightFeatures” registry key. Click “Modify“.
A prompt box will appear. Set the value to 1.
5. Click OK.
That’s It!
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You can disable Windows Spotlight using 4 ways – locally, registry, group policy and Intune (MEM). We will look at multiple methods to turn off or disable the Windows Spotlight features.
First, we will understand what exactly is Windows Spotlight, the features that it offers, Spotlight settings and ways to disable or turn off Windows Spotlight using different methods.
Windows Spotlight is available in all desktop editions of Windows 10. If you visit the Lock screen settings, the Windows Spotlight should appear under Background options.
When you enable the Windows Spotlight, the Windows Spotlight displays a new image on the lock screen each day. You can also see suggestions, tips, fun facts on the lock screen.
Enterprises that run Windows 10 and have strict policies may not want users to display different lock screens and want to restrict the usage of spotlight, and its features.
In such cases, the admins can disable Windows Spotlight features for all users using different methods. With Intune, it’s straightforward to block the Windows Spotlight settings, which I will be covering in this post.
Table of Contents
What is Windows Spotlight?
Windows Spotlight is an option for the lock screen background that displays different background images and occasionally offers suggestions on the lock screen. Windows Spotlight is available in all desktop editions of Windows 10.
A Windows Spotlight includes the following features.
- Background Image
- Feature suggestions, fun facts, tips
Ways to Turn off Windows Spotlight
If you want to restrict using the Windows Spotlight, you can do that using 4 methods.
- Manually turn off Windows Spotlight locally
- Turn off Windows Spotlight using Registry
- Disable Windows Spotlight features using Group Policy
- Disable Windows Spotlight using Intune
The first two methods described above is something that you have to do manually on a local computer. It’s not preferred if you have got many computers in your setup.
If you want to turn off Windows Spotlight setting on enterprise managed devices, you must use either group policy or Intune (MEM) to do that.
Windows Spotlight is enabled by default on Windows 10 devices. However, you can turn off Windows Spotlight manually on every machine. But if you have many computers, manual method may be time-consuming.
Enterprise administrators can configure a mobile device management (MDM) setting to prevent users from using the Windows Spotlight background.
Manually turn off Windows Spotlight locally
Here are the steps to turn off Windows Spotlight locally on your Windows 10/Windows 11 computer.
- Log in to your Windows computer.
- Go to Settings > Personalization and select Lock screen.
- Under Background, choose Windows Spotlight and select a different lock screen background.
- This turns off the Windows Spotlight.
Turn off Windows Spotlight features using Registry Editor
To turn off Windows Spotlight features using Registry Editor, follow these steps.
- Launch the Registry editor by running the regedit command.
- Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent. - Right-click anywhere on right side of the screen and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it as DisableWindowsSpotlightFeatures.
- Double-click on DisableWindowsSpotlightFeatures and set the Value data as 1.
- Click OK to save the changes.
You may have to log off and log in if you don’t see the Spotlight features are disabled.
Note – Whenever you plan to make any changes to the Registry, it is recommended that you back up the registry files. You may also create a system restore point and use it in case something goes wrong.
Disable Windows Spotlight using Group Policy
Using Group Policy, you can turn off or disable Windows Spotlight features on AD domain joined computers. The Windows Spotlight group policy settings are included in the following path – User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content.
When you create and deploy a group policy, you always don’t apply it at domain level. So even with this policy, you first test the policy by applying to a OU containing some test computers. If you find the policy working, you can apply it to other required OU’s.
Log in to the domain controller and launch the group policy management console. Right click Group Policy objects and click New. Specify the GPO name as Disable Windows Spotlight.
Remember to link the GPO to the OU when you are done with configuring the settings.
Right-click the GPO that you created and click Edit. In the group policy management editor, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Cloud Content.
There are 7 settings that you see here, and let me cover each of them in order.
We will enable only one policy setting here, which is Turn off all Windows Spotlight features. The rest of the settings are optional and should be enabled or turned on only if you require them.
Configure Windows Spotlight on lock screen
This policy setting lets you configure Windows spotlight on the lock screen. If you enable this policy setting, “Windows spotlight” will be set as the lock screen provider and users will not be able to modify their lock screen. “Windows spotlight” will display daily images from Microsoft on the lock screen.
Additionally, if you check the Include content from Enterprise spotlight checkbox and your organization has set up an Enterprise spotlight content service in Azure.
After you enable the enterprise spotlight, the lock screen will display internal messages and communications configured in that service, when available.
If you disable this policy setting, Windows spotlight will be turned off and users will no longer be able to select it as their lock screen.
Do not use diagnostic data for tailored experiences
This policy setting lets you prevent Windows from using diagnostic data to provide tailored experiences to the user.
The diagnostic data includes browser, app and feature usage, depending on the “diagnostic data” setting value.
If you enable this policy setting, Windows will not use diagnostic data from this device to customize content shown on lock screen, Windows tips, Microsoft consumer features and other related features.
If these features are enabled, users will still see recommendations, tips and offers, but they may be less relevant.
If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Microsoft will use diagnostic data to provide personalized recommendations, tips and offers to tailor Windows for the user’s needs, and make it work better for them.
Do not suggest third-party content in Windows Spotlight
If you enable this policy, Windows spotlight features like lock screen spotlight, suggested apps in Start menu or Windows tips will no longer suggest apps and content from third-party software publishers.
However, users may still see suggestions and tips to make them more productive with Microsoft features and apps.
If you disable or do not configure this policy, Windows spotlight features may suggest apps and content from third-party software publishers in addition to Microsoft apps and content.
Turn off all Windows Spotlight features
This one policy setting will turn off or disable all Windows Spotlight features at once. If you enable this policy setting, Windows spotlight on lock screen, Windows tips, Microsoft consumer features and other related features will be turned off.
You should enable this policy setting if your goal is to minimize network traffic from target devices.
If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Windows spotlight features are allowed and may be controlled individually using their corresponding policy settings.
Select Enabled and click Apply and OK.
Turn off Windows Spotlight on Action Center
If you enable this policy, Windows Spotlight notifications will no longer be shown on Action Center.
If you disable or do not configure this policy, Microsoft may display notifications in Action Center that will suggest apps or features to help users be more productive on Windows.
Turn off Windows Spotlight on Settings
If you enable Turn off Windows Spotlight on Settings policy, Windows Spotlight suggestions will no longer be shown in Settings app.
If you disable or do not configure this policy, Microsoft may suggest apps or features in the Settings app to help users be productive on Windows or their linked phone.
Turn off the Windows Welcome Experience
This policy setting lets you turn off the Windows Spotlight Windows Welcome experience. This feature helps onboard users to Windows, for instance launching Microsoft Edge with a web page highlighting new features.
If you enable this policy, the Windows Welcome Experience will no longer display when there are updates and changes to Windows and its apps.
If you disable or do not configure this policy, the Windows Welcome Experience will be launched to help onboard users to Windows telling them about what’s new, changed, and suggested.
Steps to Disable Windows Spotlight using Intune (MEM)
Using the Configuration Profiles, you can disable Windows Spotlight in Intune (MEM). First, sign-in to Microsoft Endpoint Admin center and go to Devices > Configuration Profiles. Click Create Profile.
On Create a profile window, select Platform as Windows 10 and later and profile type as Settings Catalog (preview). Click Create.
On the Basics section, specify the profile name as Disable Windows Spotlight or something similar. You can add a profile description and click Next.
On the Configuration Settings section, click Add Settings.
Now you see Settings Picker window where you filter and select the Windows Spotlight settings. In the search box, type Spotlight and click Search. Under Browse by category, select Experience.
This loads all the settings related to Windows Spotlight applicable to Experience category. Select the settings and close the Settings picker window.
Very similar to GPO settings, even here we see Windows Spotlight related settings. You can disable or block Allow Windows Spotlight (User) and that should disable all the Windows Spotlight features.
Before you click Next, if you are interested to know what each of the setting does, keep reading. You may skip to the next section if you just want to disable the Windows Spotlight settings at once.
Allow Windows Spotlight (User)
Specifies whether to turn off all Windows spotlight features at once. If you enable this policy setting, Windows spotlight on lock screen, Windows Tips, Microsoft consumer features and other related features will be turned off.
You should enable this policy setting if your goal is to minimize network traffic from target devices. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Windows spotlight features are allowed and may be controlled individually using their corresponding policy settings. The most restricted value is 0.
Allow Tailored Experiences With Diagnostic Data (User)
This policy allows you to prevent Windows from using diagnostic data to provide customized experiences to the user.
If you enable this policy setting, Windows will not use diagnostic data from this device to customize content shown on the lock screen, Windows tips, Microsoft consumer features, or other related features.
Allow Third Party Suggestions In Windows Spotlight (User)
Specifies whether to allow app and content suggestions from third-party software publishers in Windows spotlight features.
This includes features like lock screen spotlight, suggested apps in the Start menu, and Windows tips. Users may still see suggestions for Microsoft features, apps, and services.
Allow Windows Consumer Features
This policy allows IT admins to turn on experiences that are typically for consumers only, such as Start suggestions, Membership notifications, Post-OOBE app install and redirect tiles.
Allow Windows Spotlight On Action Center (User)
This policy allows administrators to prevent Windows spotlight notifications from being displayed in the Action Center.
If you enable this policy, Windows spotlight notifications will no longer be displayed in the Action Center.
If you disable or do not configure this policy, Microsoft may display notifications in the Action Center that will suggest apps or features to help users be more productive on Windows. The most restricted value is 0.
Allow Windows Spotlight Windows Welcome Experience (User)
This policy setting lets you turn off the Windows spotlight Windows welcome experience feature. The Windows welcome experience feature introduces onboard users to Windows.
If you enable this policy, the Windows welcome experience will no longer be displayed when there are updates and changes to Windows and its apps.
If you disable or do not configure this policy, the Windows welcome experience will be launched to inform onboard users about what’s new, changed, and suggested.
Allow Windows Tips
Enables or disables Windows Tips / soft landing.
Configure Windows Spotlight On Lock Screen (User)
Allows IT admins to specify whether spotlight should be used on the user’s lock screen. If your organization does not have an Enterprise spotlight content service, then this policy will behave the same as a setting of 1.
Alright, let’s get back to the Configuration profile. On the Assignments tab, include the groups that you want to target this configuration profile. Click Next.
On the Scope tags section, click Next.
On the Review and Create section, click Create. We have now created a configuration profile to disable or turn off Windows Spotlight features in Intune.
Keep an eye on the notifications which confirm the policy has been created successfully.
After you deployed the configuration profile to disable Windows Spotlight features, let’s monitor and check if the devices have received the settings.
Select the Disable Windows Spotlight Configuration profile. Under Device and user check-in status, click View report.
You can see the device name and logged-in username.
I am logged in to one of the VM and I see the Windows Spotlight option has been removed from the list of background options. This confirms that the Windows Spotlight settings are disabled on the device or VM.
Still Need Help?
If you need further assistance on the above article or want to discuss other technical issues, check out some of these options.
Requirements
Windows 10.
Pros: Why use this tweak
If you want Windows to stop showing spotlight features like lock screen spotlight, suggested apps in Start menu or Windows tips, follow this instruction step by step.
Cons: Why do not use this tweak?
You will not see 3d-party suggestions, based on your interests.
How to apply this tweak manually:
- Press Win + R, type «regedit.exe» and press Enter.
- Then go to CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CloudContent branch and find the DisableThirdPartysuggestions key.
- Double click it and change the value to 1.
Windows Spotlight is a feature in Windows 10 and later versions that displays different backgrounds on the lock screen and offers suggestions on the lock screen. While it can be an engaging feature for individual users, in a business or organizational context, controlling this feature can be crucial for various reasons including maintaining uniformity, reducing distractions, or ensuring compliance with company policies. System administrators can disable Windows Spotlight using Group Policy. This article will guide you through the process of blocking Windows Spotlight via Group Policy in a professional, enterprise environment.
Understanding Windows Spotlight
Windows Spotlight is designed to make the lock screen more dynamic by displaying different images and occasionally suggestions and offers from Microsoft. For businesses, however, these features might not be desirable due to various policy, security, or bandwidth considerations.
Prerequisites
- Administrative Rights: Ensure you have administrative privileges in your Active Directory (AD) environment.
- Group Policy Management Console (GPMC): This tool must be installed and accessible to configure Group Policies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Open Group Policy Management Console
Launch GPMC by typing “Group Policy Management” in the Start menu search bar or running gpmc.msc in the Run dialog.
Step 2: Create or Edit a Group Policy Object
- To create a new GPO, right-click on the domain or an Organizational Unit (OU) where you want the policy applied and select “Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here…”.
- To modify an existing GPO, find it under the relevant domain or OU, right-click it, and choose “Edit”.
Step 3: Navigate to the Appropriate Settings
In the Group Policy Management Editor, go to: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Cloud Content.
Step 4: Disable Windows Spotlight
- Look for the policy setting “Turn off all Windows spotlight features” or “Do not suggest third-party content in Windows spotlight” depending on your version of Windows.
- Set the policy to “Enabled”.
- This will disable Windows Spotlight features including suggestions, tips, tricks, and more on the lock screen.
Step 5: Apply and Enforce the GPO
- Click “OK” or “Apply” to save the changes.
- Link the GPO to the appropriate OU.
- The policy will apply at the next Group Policy refresh cycle, or you can expedite the process by running
gpupdate /forceon the client machines.
Advanced Configuration and Use Cases
- Uniform User Experience: In an environment where a consistent user experience is important, disabling Windows Spotlight ensures that all users see a standard lock screen.
- Security Considerations: Disabling Windows Spotlight can be part of a broader strategy to minimize potential security risks associated with third-party content and external links.
- Network Bandwidth Management: Windows Spotlight content consumes bandwidth. Disabling it can help conserve network resources in bandwidth-sensitive environments.
Security Considerations
- Consistent Policy Enforcement: Ensure that the Group Policy is consistently applied across all OUs and systems to maintain uniformity.
- Regular Policy Review: Periodically review the policy to ensure that it aligns with current organizational requirements and IT policies.
Troubleshooting
- Policy Not Taking Effect: If the policy doesn’t seem to be applying, use the
gpresultcommand or Group Policy Results tool in GPMC to troubleshoot. - Legacy Systems and Policy Differences: Be aware that different versions of Windows may have slightly different policy settings. Ensure compatibility with your specific Windows version.
Conclusion
Disabling Windows Spotlight via Group Policy is an effective way for system administrators to maintain control over the user interface in a networked environment. This measure can contribute to uniformity, security, and efficient resource utilization across the organization.
By Timothy Tibbettson 11/01/2024 |
Windows 10 offers suggested programs and advertising that can be annoying and time-consuming to remove, but in this guide, we simplify the process for you.
We are going to show you how to remove advertising or unwanted apps step-by-step, but you can simplify most of this process by downloading these registry files.
Note: You will still need to do Step 1 manually, and uninstall apps you don’t want in Step 2.
This video guides you through the steps:
1: Disable Ads on the Lock Screen
With Windows Spotlight on, you may see Microsoft Store and third-party suggestions.
Go to Start > Settings Personalization > Lock screen.
Under Background change the Windows Spotlight to Picture and select a default picture.
Uncheck Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and Cortana on your lock screen.
2: Disable Automatically Installing Suggested Apps
When you uninstall Windows 10 apps, Windows 10 can reinstall these, including Candy Crush, Minecraft, Flipboard, and many others, so first, you need to prevent Windows 10 from reinstalling these apps again.
Open the Registry Editor and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager
Right-click on the right side and click New > DWORD 32-Bit value named SilentInstalledAppsEnabled.
Whether you used the registry file or not, you’ll need to uninstall all the apps now in Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & Features.
We recommend O&O AppBuster as a faster way to remove these apps.
3: Disable Ink App Suggestions
Pen & Windows Ink (if supported) can now offer app suggestions.
Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Pen & Windows Ink. Uncheck Show recommended app suggestions.
4: Disable Ads in File Explorer
File Explorer can now show what’s new with Windows. This is called Sync Provider Notifications.
Open File Explorer and click on the View tab, then Options. Click on the View tab again and scroll down and uncheck Show sync provider notifications.
5: Disable App Suggestions and Advertising in the Start Menu
The Start Menu can often suggest apps or games from the Microsoft Store.
Go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Start.
Uncheck Occasionally show suggestions in Start
6: Disable Ads in the Share Pane
The Share option now offers a link to the Microsft App Store and other programs, including Twitter.
Right-click on a file (pictures work best) and click on Share. Right-click on any icon (near the bottom) and click Show app suggestions to turn off all suggestions.
7: Disable Tips, Tricks, and Suggestions
Windows 10 can display advertising on your Desktop, usually as notifications in your Taskbar.
Go to Start > Settings > System > Notifications & actions. Uncheck Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.
You might also look at the other notification options and scroll down to enable or disable notifications per app. Keep Notifications & actions open for the next step.
8: Disable Welcome Experience
Go to Start > Settings > System — Notifications & actions. Uncheck Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what’s new and suggested.
9: Uninstall Suggested Apps and Ads in Settings
Suggested apps often come with advertising now in the Settings menu.
Go to Start > Settings > Privacy. Uncheck Show me suggested content in the Settings app.
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