Windows 11 does not include a background option named Bing. When people say “Bing wallpaper,” they usually mean one of two separate Microsoft features:
- Bing Wallpaper is an optional app that downloads Bing’s daily homepage image and applies it to the desktop.
- Windows Spotlight is built into Windows 11 and periodically displays Microsoft-supplied images.
The controls are different. Use the Bing Wallpaper icon in the notification area to change Bing images, or use Settings > Personalization > Background to configure Windows Spotlight and image layout.
Install the Bing Wallpaper app
If Bing Wallpaper is not already installed, download it from Microsoft’s official Bing Wallpaper Download Center page. The current installer is named BingWallpaper.exe and supports Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Download
BingWallpaper.exefrom Microsoft. - Open the downloaded file.
- Select Install now.
- Select Finish when installation completes.
- If the browser asks whether to add an extension, follow the prompt if you want to use that feature.
After installation, Bing Wallpaper normally runs from the Windows notification area near the clock rather than as a large open window. Select Show hidden icons if you do not immediately see its icon.
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Change the Bing wallpaper immediately
Once the app is running, you can move through Bing’s available images without waiting for the next automatic update.
- Select the Bing Wallpaper icon in the notification area near the clock.
- Open the app panel.
- Select Next to move forward or Previous to return to an earlier image.
Microsoft also provides access to recent Bing images, including images from the previous seven days. This is useful if you prefer an image that appeared earlier in the week.
Keep the current Bing image
To stop the app from replacing the desktop every day:
- Select the Bing Wallpaper icon in the system tray.
- Open the app’s controls.
- Turn off Change wallpaper daily.
This setting belongs to the Bing Wallpaper app, not to the Windows background page. Changing Windows to Picture alone does not necessarily stop Bing Wallpaper if the app is still installed, running, and configured to update.
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Bing can provide different localized homepage images depending on the selected region. If the app is showing unexpected images or is not refreshing as expected, check its region setting.
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- Open Bing Wallpaper from the notification area.
- Select Settings.
- Check and change the selected region.
The available image feed can vary by region, so selecting the location that matches your preference may change which daily image appears.
Change how the wallpaper fits the screen
Windows controls the way a desktop image is displayed. This applies to a Bing image currently being used as the desktop background and to manually selected pictures.
- Open Settings with Windows + I.
- Select Personalization.
- Select Background.
- Under Personalize your background, select Picture or Slideshow, as appropriate.
- Use the image-fit menu to choose a layout.
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fill | Fills the screen, cropping parts of the image when its proportions do not match the display. |
| Fit | Shows the complete image, which may leave borders around it. |
| Stretch | Stretches the image to fill the screen and can distort it. |
| Tile | Repeats a smaller image across the desktop. |
| Center | Places the image in the middle without scaling it to fill the screen. |
| Span | Spreads one image across multiple monitors. |
The Bing Wallpaper app chooses and updates the image; Windows handles how that image is fitted to the display.
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If you want an automatic Microsoft image rotation without installing Bing Wallpaper, use Windows Spotlight:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Personalization > Background.
- Open the menu beside Personalize your background.
- Select Windows spotlight.
Spotlight is built into Windows 11 and displays a new image periodically. It does not use the Bing Wallpaper system-tray controls, and it is not the same application as Bing Wallpaper.
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Set a saved Bing image as a permanent background
If you have saved a Bing image locally and want to use it without automatic rotation:
- Open Settings > Personalization > Background.
- Set Personalize your background to Picture.
- Select Browse photos.
- Choose the image file.
You can also right-click the image in File Explorer and select Set as desktop background. In the Photos app, select More (…) > Set as > Background.
This creates a static background. If Bing Wallpaper remains active with Change wallpaper daily enabled, it can still replace the picture later.
Stop Bing Wallpaper from overriding your selected picture
If Windows keeps reverting to Bing images, uninstall the app:
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps.
- Select Installed apps.
- Search for Bing Wallpaper.
- Select the three dots beside it.
- Select Uninstall and confirm.
Uninstalling the app is more reliable than simply selecting a different background in Windows Settings when the app continues to run in the background.
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Fix Bing Wallpaper when it stops updating
First confirm that the app is still running. Look for its icon in the notification area and check that Change wallpaper daily is enabled. Then try Windows’ repair controls.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Bing Wallpaper.
- Select the three dots beside it and choose Advanced options.
- Select Repair.
- If the problem remains, return to the same page and select Reset.
- Reopen Bing Wallpaper from the system tray.
- Turn Change wallpaper daily off and on again.
Repair attempts to fix the app without removing its data. Reset reinstalls the app’s data and settings, so you may need to configure the app again.
Check whether Bing Wallpaper starts with Windows
If the app disappears after signing in, its startup permission may be disabled:
- Open Settings > Apps > Startup.
- Find Bing Wallpaper.
- Set its switch to On.
The startup component needs to run for the app to perform its normal background update behavior.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use Bing Wallpaper with multiple monitors or desktops
Windows 11 provides different background controls depending on how the desktop is arranged:
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| Setup | Available behavior |
|---|---|
| Multiple monitors | Apply a picture to every display or assign pictures individually to displays. |
| Multiple virtual desktops | Apply a picture to all desktops or assign one to a specific desktop. |
| Virtual desktops plus separate monitor pictures | Windows does not support configuring a different background per monitor in this combination. |
| Slideshow with multiple virtual desktops | Windows does not support this configuration. |
There have also been reports of Bing Wallpaper updating only one virtual desktop at a time. If that happens, toggle Change wallpaper daily off and on, or change the image manually from the Bing Wallpaper panel. This is an app compatibility issue rather than a separate Windows background feature.
Which option should you use?
| What you want | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Automatic Bing homepage images with system-tray controls | Install Bing Wallpaper. |
| Microsoft’s built-in rotating backgrounds | Select Windows Spotlight. |
| One Bing image that never changes | Save it locally and set it as a Picture, then disable or uninstall Bing Wallpaper. |
| Different cropping or positioning | Change the fit option under Settings > Personalization > Background. |
FAQ
Is Bing Wallpaper built into Windows 11?
No. Bing Wallpaper is a separately installed Microsoft app. Windows 11’s built-in rotating background feature is called Windows Spotlight.
Where is the Bing Wallpaper setting in Windows 11?
Bing Wallpaper settings are opened from the app’s icon in the notification area near the clock. There is no standard Windows Settings option labeled Bing under Personalization > Background.
How do I change Bing Wallpaper without waiting for tomorrow?
Select the Bing Wallpaper icon in the system tray and use the app panel’s Next or Previous button. The panel also provides access to recent Bing images.
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Why does my wallpaper keep changing after I select a picture?
Bing Wallpaper may still be installed and running with Change wallpaper daily enabled. Turn that setting off from the system tray, or uninstall Bing Wallpaper under Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
What is the difference between Windows Spotlight and Bing Wallpaper?
Windows Spotlight is a Windows 11 background option managed through Settings > Personalization > Background. Bing Wallpaper is a separate app with its own system-tray controls and startup component.
Can I keep a Bing image permanently?
Yes. Save the image, set Windows’ background mode to Picture, and select it through Browse photos. Disable or uninstall Bing Wallpaper if you do not want the app to replace it later.
The Bottom Line
Install Bing Wallpaper if you want Bing’s daily homepage images and Next/Previous controls in the system tray. Use Windows Spotlight if you want Windows 11’s built-in rotating backgrounds. For a fixed Bing image, save it locally, select it as a Picture, and disable or remove Bing Wallpaper so it cannot overwrite your choice.
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