Start at Settings > Personalization to quickly change how Windows 11 looks and how you reach the things you use. From there, you can switch the desktop background, coordinate colors with a theme, tidy Start and the taskbar, or adjust contrast for easier reading. These changes are reversible, though available options can vary by Windows build, device, and policy.
Change the desktop background
Open Settings > Personalization > Background. You can also right-click an empty area of the desktop and select Personalize to get there. Choose the kind of background that suits how much change you want:
- Picture: Keep one image on the desktop for a consistent workspace.
- Solid color: Use a simple background without a photo.
- Slideshow: Rotate through a selection of images for variety.
- Windows Spotlight: Let Windows rotate the desktop imagery it provides.
For a picture or slideshow, choose an image fit that works for your screen. A fixed image is a straightforward choice if you prefer the desktop to stay the same; a slideshow or Spotlight changes the view over time. The best option is a matter of preference.
Coordinate the interface with a theme
A theme brings several appearance settings together, rather than requiring you to adjust each one independently. Open Settings > Personalization > Themes to try a built-in theme or browse themes in Microsoft Store. Microsoft describes themes as combining elements such as background pictures, window colors, and sounds; you can also adjust settings such as the mouse cursor.
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After choosing a theme, personalize its included options and save it under a name to apply it again later. Microsoft also documents exporting a saved theme as a .deskthemepack file. See Microsoft’s guide to personalizing Windows with themes.
Choose light, dark, and accent colors
Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors. Choose Light, Dark, or Custom mode, then select an accent color. You can use an accent color chosen automatically from the background or select one yourself. Depending on the selected mode, Windows provides options to apply the accent to Start and the taskbar, and to title bars and window borders. You can also turn transparency effects on or off.
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Do not expect every program to follow Windows’ dark-mode choice: some apps have their own appearance controls, and some do not support dark mode.
Make the lock screen useful
Open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen to choose Windows Spotlight, a single picture, or a slideshow. Where available, you can add small lock-screen widgets and turn on the option to show the lock-screen background on the sign-in screen.
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Organize Start and the taskbar
Arrange Start around the apps you use
In Start, pin, unpin, or rearrange apps and shortcuts to put frequent items within reach. You can group pinned items into folders, choose Category, Grid, or List views for installed apps, and choose folders to show near the power button. Microsoft’s Start menu instructions explain the available controls.
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Pin apps and choose taskbar alignment
Pin and reorder apps on the taskbar, and adjust the visibility of supported taskbar and system-tray items. In Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, choose whether taskbar icons are centered or aligned to the left. Windows 11 keeps the taskbar at the bottom; Microsoft’s current taskbar documentation does not provide a built-in setting to move it to the top or side. See Microsoft’s taskbar guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Reduce desktop clutter or add shortcuts
To choose which built-in icons appear on the desktop, open Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. If you customize those icons, clear Allow themes to change desktop icons to keep a later theme from replacing your choices. Windows can also create shortcuts for apps, files, folders, or web pages; Microsoft’s desktop icon and shortcut instructions cover those options.
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Try a contrast theme for stronger differentiation
If interface text or other elements are difficult to distinguish, open Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes and try a preset. You can edit colors for backgrounds, text, hyperlinks, inactive text, selected text, and button text. A preset is a starting point; adjust it to find a combination that works for you. Microsoft explains the controls in its contrast themes guide.
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