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Bing’s “story behind” the homepage image is extra context about what the picture shows and where it comes from—not a separate secret archive. On the current Bing homepage, you can read the caption, open more information, explore the daily quiz, revisit recent images and, for most images, download wallpaper. What appears can vary by region, and Microsoft’s older feature announcements describe past versions rather than guaranteeing that every historical tool remains available.
What “the story behind” the image means
Bing changes its homepage image daily. Microsoft’s current homepage guidance describes a caption and ways to open more information about the image. The added context is meant to help answer questions such as “What is this?” and “Where is this?”—for example, by identifying a subject or offering related information.
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In its May 2, 2017 announcement, Bing described an expanded image story that could include a mini-map or quick fact. It also highlighted options to share or save the image, download it as wallpaper when available, and view a gallery of recent homepages. That announcement explains what Microsoft meant by the “story behind” the image at the time; it is not a guarantee that every detail or control looks the same today. Read Bing’s 2017 announcement.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow to explore today’s Bing homepage image
- Read the caption: Hover over the image headline to see a basic caption.
- Open the details: Click the headline or caption information to see more about the image.
- Try the quiz: Look below the search box for the daily quiz, which includes information about its subject and links.
- Revisit recent images: Use the arrows beside the image headline to browse the last seven days.
- Download wallpaper if offered: Microsoft says most daily images can be downloaded, but licensing restrictions prevent downloads for some images.
These are the controls documented in Microsoft’s support guidance reviewed October 5, 2026. Microsoft cautions that some features may not be available in every country or region. The support page explains user-facing controls, not the full sourcing process or reuse rights for every image.
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What Bing’s older descriptions add
Hotspots and image credits in 2010
In a November 10, 2010 post, Bing Managing Editor Stephanie Horstmanshof described four daily image hotspots designed to intrigue and inform. She said the copyright caption could identify where a picture was taken and name the photographer and agency; the post also described browsing the previous seven days and a Visual Search gallery. These details document the feature at that time, not a set of controls Microsoft currently promises for every image. Horstmanshof wrote, “We offer a new image every day to help you explore the world around you.” Read the 2010 Bing Search Blog post.
How images are chosen
A 2012 retrospective by Microsoft editor Steve Clayton recounts a discussion with Bing homepage image team members Stephanie Horstmanshof and Kristin Dean. It covers the feature’s history, audience reactions, video and panoramic homepages, and an event competition in which attendees selected one of three images to appear on November 9. It offers historical context, but it is not a complete account of how Bing currently sources or selects images. Read the 2012 retrospective.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Downloading an image is not the same as having reuse rights
A wallpaper download option is for images Microsoft makes available to download; Microsoft says licensing restrictions block downloads for some images. The option should not be treated as permission for commercial use or unrestricted republication. For a particular image, check its displayed copyright or licensing information. The current support guidance does not establish a universal reuse license for Bing homepage images.
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