Personalization Reset and Re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 11


Windows_Spotlight_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to reset and re-register Windows Spotlight for your account in Windows 11.

In Windows 11, you can have Windows Spotlight as a theme and display different background images on your desktop and lock screen, and occasionally offers suggestions on the lock screen.

If Windows Spotlights stops working and/or stops changing the background image, you can reset and re-register Windows Spotlight to fix it.


Windows Spotlight will not work while connected to a metered network (ethernet or wireless), or in Battery Saver mode.

Windows Spotlight requires Background Apps to be turned on.


Sometimes it may take 24 to 48 hours after resetting for Windows Spotlight to sync again.


Another option is to use the Windows spotlight, dynamic images theme.



EXAMPLE: Windows Spotlight on Desktop and Lock screen

Windows_Spotlight_desktop_background.jpg
Windows_Spotlight_lock_screen.jpg



Here's How:

1 Change your desktop background to something other than Windows Spotlight. (see screenshot below)

This step is only available in Windows 11 build 22557 and higher.



Windows_Spotlight_desktop_background-1.png

2 Change your lock screen background to something other than Windows Spotlight. (see screenshot below)


Windows_Spotlight_lock_screen_background-1.png

3 Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.

Reset_and_re-register_Windows_Spotlight.zip


(Contents of BAT file for reference)
Code:
:: Reset Windows Spotlight
DEL /F /S /Q /A "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalCache\Microsoft\IrisService"
DEL /F /S /Q /A "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalCache\Microsoft\IrisService"
DEL /F /S /Q /A "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets"
DEL /F /S /Q /A "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Settings"

:: Re-register Windows Spotlight
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *ContentDeliveryManager*).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS*).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}"

4 Save the ZIP file to your desktop.

5 Unblock the ZIP file.

6 Extract the BAT file from the ZIP file.

7 Run the BAT file.

8 Restart the computer to apply.

9 After you sign in, you can change your desktop background back to Windows Spotlight if wanted. (see screenshot below)

This step is only available in Windows 11 build 22557 and higher.



Windows_Spotlight_desktop_background-2.png

10 Change your lock screen background back to Windows Spotlight if wanted. (see screenshot below)


Windows_Spotlight_lock_screen_background-2.png


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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As a test, create a new account on the PC to see if "Windows Spotlight" works properly while signed in to that account.

If so, you could use that account instead.
Yes, I also thought about it and created already and it looks to have exactly the same behavior there, but though I'm still checking.

What is really strange! I reset the Iris app and when I can choose Spotlight until it sets the new wallpaper in 24 hours, right after I block it in the group policy editor it is greyed out and set to Photo instantly! When I dismiss that policy I can choose Spotlight again instead of Photo...

By the way, I wanted to ask if it's possible that it's set to Photo because my Windows interface language is Russian even though the region is set to US?

The thing is that lock screen background Spotlight works only when I set English language in the first place of preferred languages in the Settings making all of the Microsoft Store apps to be displayed in English too. And the Spotlight interesting facts on lock screen are also in English in such case.

But when I reset the Iris app and it first shows the default backgrounds (from folder %USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalCache\Microsoft\IrisService) it has that "Learn about this picture" button all in Russian, perhaps because of my system's interface language. Then, when after 24 hours it downloads a wallpaper for the desktop this button first disappears at all as it changes to Photo in Settings but when I try to set Spotlight again the button shows in English and it has those interesting facts for those 4 wallpapers it downloaded also in English.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
By the way, I wanted to ask if it's possible that it's set to Photo because my Windows interface language is Russian even though the region is set to US?

The thing is that lock screen background Spotlight works only when I set English language in the first place of preferred languages in the Settings making all of the Microsoft Store apps to be displayed in English too. And the Spotlight interesting facts on lock screen are also in English in such case.

But when I reset the Iris app and it first shows the default backgrounds (from folder %USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalCache\Microsoft\IrisService) it has that "Learn about this picture" button all in Russian, perhaps because of my system's interface language. Then, when after 24 hours it downloads a wallpaper for the desktop this button first disappears at all as it changes to Photo in Settings but when I try to set Spotlight again the button shows in English and it has those interesting facts for those 4 wallpapers it downloaded also in English.

That could be a possibility. You could test this by also changing the default display language to US, but I would also had thought having the region set to US should be enough.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
That could be a possibility. You could test this by also changing the default display language to US, but I would also had thought having the region set to US should be enough.
Got it! Will try as this seems to be the last thing I can try if you don't know any other ways to resolve it! 🙂

Well as I see so far, it still greys out to Picture with GPEditor even with English UI, though I will still wait 24 hours until it downloads a new wallpaper just to make sure it will be the same issue...
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Hi Brink, I'm here to confirm that the issue is still there (( The wallpapers have been just downloaded to both my user and the new one I created to test with English interface at the very beginning and both settings changed to Picture and staying on it even when I click Spotlight instead.

As I mentioned above I was trying to block it as Spotlight using GPEditor few times during this 24 hours it was going to set a wallpaper and it has been set to Picture every time I did that, though allowing me to set Spotlight again if I back allowed to change wallpaper in the GPEditor.

So, it looks like the OS interface language is not the reason of this issue for me. Don't know what else can I try ((

I'm afraid it can somehow disable it by real location, maybe?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Hi Brink, I'm here to confirm that the issue is still there (( The wallpapers have been just downloaded to both my user and the new one I created to test with English interface at the very beginning and both settings changed to Picture and staying on it even when I click Spotlight instead.

As I mentioned above I was trying to block it as Spotlight using GPEditor few times during this 24 hours it was going to set a wallpaper and it has been set to Picture every time I did that, though allowing me to set Spotlight again if I back allowed to change wallpaper in the GPEditor.

So, it looks like the OS interface language is not the reason of this issue for me. Don't know what else can I try ((

I'm afraid it can somehow disable it by real location, maybe?

You could try doing a repair install below to hopefully fix it without losing anything.

 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Unfortunately that will not help too. As I mentioned, I've just installed very recently my current OS and it's very clean version and this issue was present from the very beginning, right after installation. 😔

Thanks for you help anyway! If you ever have any new ideas I am happy to try.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Unfortunately that will not help too. As I mentioned, I've just installed very recently my current OS and it's very clean version and this issue was present from the very beginning, right after installation. 😔

Thanks for you help anyway! If you ever have any new ideas I am happy to try.
Will do.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hi Brink, also I wanted to add how it behaves when it stops working, though I don't know if it can help with anything to find the solution or not...

1) When it downloads and sets new wallpaper after the Iris is reset and 24 hours have past in Settings it is set to Picture though that new wallpaper is still left.
2) If I set to Spotlight again it show the Learn about this picture button on the desktop, but it switches to Picture instantly again even that button is left on the desktop (see image)
3) Also in the folder "%USERPROFILE%/AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalCache\Microsoft\IrisService" there is only one numeric folder created with 9 images. As I saw this service creates more folders, though maybe does it only next time new wallpapers are downloaded...
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Hi everyone,

I am at my wits end as I can not solve this problem. I have reinstalled Windows 11 Pro image so many times from Dell that if they look at their logs, they would see why does one tiny Micro 7020 Plus keeps reinstalling windows.

I do not have these directories \Microsoft\IrisService in those respective package directories.

Should I manually create them? I have tried the script mentioned on this thread countless number of times. No luck.

Any ideas?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Optiplex Micro Plus 7020
    CPU
    Intel i7-14700
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 - 4K DisplayPort Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    2 PCIE
I am at my wits end as I can not solve this problem. I have reinstalled Windows 11 Pro image so many times...
...I do not have these directories \Microsoft\IrisService in those respective package directories.
Should I manually create them?
Welcome to Eleven Forum.

Patience is required. How long have you waited?

When you turn on Desktop Spotlight for the first time it uses a default set of four images that came with Windows, these ones:

view


In my experience, after a clean install it takes about three days before Spotlight will download its first new set of four desktop images. I suspect that it is only then that the Microsoft\IrisService folder gets created.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, and 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine.
Welcome to Eleven Forum.

Patience is required. How long have you waited?

When you turn on Desktop Spotlight for the first time it uses a default set of four images that came with Windows, these ones:

view


In my experience, after a clean install it takes about three days before Spotlight will download its first new set of four desktop images. I suspect that it is only then that the Microsoft\IrisService folder gets created.
It has been more than 5 days
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Optiplex Micro Plus 7020
    CPU
    Intel i7-14700
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 - 4K DisplayPort Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    2 PCIE
I have tried the script mentioned on this thread countless number of times. No luck.

Hey bro, I am sorry to hear that! I am in the same boat with you. The background Spotlight worked only around 3 months after Windows 11 has been installed on my laptop as an update of Win 10. Then I even reinstalled it on many of my laptops/desktops and never ever it worked again.
The only thing that is still working is the lock screen Spotlight.
I only recently saw this thread and found the instruction on how to reset the background's feature but it only allows me to download one new set of 4 wallpapers and then it switches to Picture that blocks further updates.
I have also fought many years with the lock screen feature and my advice to you is trying to set all equal regional settings like:

region US, language English (US) and try reset the service again.

For windows 10 it's even worse situation as it even stopped to work on lock screen on some of my devices. And I read on another thread that from other countries this Spotlight started to work but using a VPN from those countries IPs still doesn't solve the issue. Check this thread

I remember I read some article that windows is currently checking your real location (like IP, ISP) in order to provide, or block, or delay any services. So, I'm afraid that as now it bypasses the regional settings this feature is somehow dependent on your real location and that's why it not available in many countries...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Hey bro, I am sorry to hear that! I am in the same boat with you. The background Spotlight worked only around 3 months after Windows 11 has been installed on my laptop as an update of Win 10. Then I even reinstalled it on many of my laptops/desktops and never ever it worked again.
The only thing that is still working is the lock screen Spotlight.
I only recently saw this thread and found the instruction on how to reset the background's feature but it only allows me to download one new set of 4 wallpapers and then it switches to Picture that blocks further updates.
I have also fought many years with the lock screen feature and my advice to you is trying to set all equal regional settings like:

region US, language English (US) and try reset the service again.

For windows 10 it's even worse situation as it even stopped to work on lock screen on some of my devices. And I read on another thread that from other countries this Spotlight started to work but using a VPN from those countries IPs still doesn't solve the issue. Check this thread

I remember I read some article that windows is currently checking your real location (like IP, ISP) in order to provide, or block, or delay any services. So, I'm afraid that as now it bypasses the regional settings this feature is somehow dependent on your real location and that's why it not available in many countries...
Thank you for this.

It is working as of today but time will see. Last time, my 365 feed on new tab, stopped working. I have a feeling MS wants one user account on the computer or something signed with their outlook.com account. I have an domain account connected here (and later I was able to create a local account). During my Dell's image restore from scratch - I had two options - either use MS account or connect a domain/work account. This was not the case on previous windows 11 builds. Either way, my gut feeling is MS account needs to be signed in eventually somewhere.

Thank you to this thread for helping on this issue and I have to say as this one of the most annoying issue on windows 11 and spotlight (don't get me started on their privacy stuff)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL Optiplex Micro Plus 7020
    CPU
    Intel i7-14700
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 - 4K DisplayPort Monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    2 PCIE
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