4 Ways: Restore Desktop Background/Wallpaper in Windows 10/11

How to restore desktop background/wallpaper in Windows 10/11? This post will introduces 4 simple methods to help you recover lost or disappeared desktop background effectively.

By @Penny Last Updated November 7, 2024

Why Has My Desktop Background/Wallpaper Disappeared?

Nothing is more frustrating than losing your personalized desktop background on Windows 10. There are many reasons why your desktop background wallpaper disappears, such as system updates, software glitches, or accidental deletion.

To tackle this problem effectively, you need to identify the specific symptoms:

  • Black Screen of Death: If your computer won't boot, stops working, or is stuck on a black screen, you're dealing with a black screen of death error.
  • Missing Desktop Icons: If your desktop icons are missing, you'll need to focus on showing or restoring desktop icons instead.

  • Desktop Wallpaper Loss: If your desktop becomes black or blank, but you can still see the desktop icons and everything else works fine, it's a desktop wallpaper loss issue.

Whether it's a beautiful family photo, a tranquil landscape, or an inspirational quote, your wallpaper sets the tone for your daily PC use. If you suddenly find that your desktop background is missing or replaced with the default Windows logo, don't worry. This guide will walk you through 5 ways to restore desktop background/wallpaper in Windows 10/11.

How to Restore Desktop Background/Wallpaper in Windows 10/11(4 Ways)

Method 1: Restore the Wallpaper by Checking Personalization Settings

The simplest way to restore your desktop background is through the Windows Settings app. This way, you can also  get the old Windows 10 default wallpaper back. Here are steps to restore desktop background wallpaper in Windows 10.

1. Open "Settings": Navigate to the Windows 10 "Settings" menu by clicking on the Start button and selecting the gear icon or by pressing the Windows key + I.

2. Go to "Personalization": Within the Settings menu, locate and click on "Personalization." This section is your gateway to customizing various aspects of your Windows 10 experience.

3. Choose "Background": In the Personalization menu, find and click on "Background." Here, you'll have options for selecting different background styles, including a picture, solid color, or slideshow.

4. Select Your Wallpaper: Browse through the available options and choose the wallpaper you want to restore. You can also choose to set the wallpaper as a picture, solid color, or slideshow, depending on your preference.

5. Save Changes: Once you've selected your preferred wallpaper, remember to save the changes. Click on "Save changes" to apply the selected background to your desktop. Your personalized wallpaper is now restored.

Method 2: Restore Desktop Background/Wallpaper with MyRecover (Hot)

When Windows 10 desktop background/wallpaperdisappeared, the most effective is touseWindows data recovery tool- MyRecover to scan the drive and find all deteletd or lost files. It can quickly recover your lost or deleted Windows background and wallpaper with just a few clicks.

MyRecover
Professional Data Recovery Software
  • It is easy to use, and can find lost desktop backgrounds/wallpapers with high speed and recovery rate.
  • Supportrecovering images in the format of JPG/JPEG/JPE, PNG, TIF/TIFF, HEVC/HEIC, GIF, and so on. Besides photos, you can also recover deleted Microsoft Word, documents, videos, audio, etc. with it.
  • Support filtering and previewing deleted backgrounds/wallpapers/photos before recovery, and recovers them while preserving the format/file name/path.
  • Support almost all Windows operating systems: Win 11/10/8/7 and Server.

Scanning your computer with MyRecover is free and you can recover up to 500 MB of data for free. Download it now to quickly and easily restore desktop backgrounds/wallpapers in Windows 10/11.

Step 1. Run MyRecover>Hover the mouse over the drive where your desktop wallpaper was originally stored and click Scan to scan.

🤞 Tip:If you want to enjoy unlimited file recovery, please upgade to MyRecover Pro/Tech. It offers 3 subscription plans: Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime. Select the plan that suits yourneeds.

Step 2. It will automatically scan your drive to find all deleted and lost files. The found files will be listed on the left and you can type keywords in the Search box tofind the files you need.Take advantage of the file Preview feature to confirm that your desktop wallpaper is among the recoverable items.

Step 3. Select the files and click the Recover X Files button, MyRecover will prompt you to choose a destination for the recovered file. Select a location, and your desktop background is restored to its former glory.

🌟Tips:

Using this tool, you could also easily find lost and deleted pictures on computer. Also, if you have shift deleted the pictures, it can recover permanently deleted photos as well.

It can offer you help no matter whether your desktop backgrounds/wallpapers are deleted by accident or lost because of disk formatting, system crash, virus attack, computer crashed recovery, and so on.

Method 3: Recover Previous Desktop Wallpaper Using System Restore

If a recent update or software installation caused the issue, you might be able to restore desktop background in Windows 10  using System Restore.

1. Open "Control Panel": Navigate to the Control Panel on your Windows 10 system. You can find it by searching in the Start menu or using the Windows key + X shortcut.

2. Access "System and Security": Within the Control Panel, click on "System and Security." This section houses various tools and settings related to the overall security and functionality of your system.

3. Click "System": In the System and Security menu, find and click on "System." This will take you to a screen where you can access advanced system settings.

4. Choose "System Protection": In the System window, select "System Protection" from the left-hand menu. This will open the System Properties window.

5. Access "System Restore": In the System Properties window, click on the "System Restore" button. This will initiate the System Restore wizard.

6. Follow the Wizard: The System Restore wizard will guide you through the process. Choose a restore point that predates the disappearance of your desktop wallpaper and follow the on-screen instructions. Once completed, your system will be restored to the selected point, including your desktop background wallpaper.

Method 4: Restore Deleted Desktop Background via File History

1. Open "File Explorer": Launch File Explorer on your Windows 10 system. You can do this by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E.

2. Right-click on Folder: Locate the folder where your desktop wallpaper was originally stored. Right-click on the folder and select "Restore previous versions" from the context menu.

3. Choose Version: A window will appear showing previous versions of the folder. Select a version that contains your desired wallpaper. The versions are timestamped, allowing you to choose the one closest to when your wallpaper was last visible.

4. Click "Restore": Once you've selected the desired version, click on the "Restore" button. This action will recover wallpaper in Windows 10, bring back the folder, including your desktop background wallpaper, to its previous state.

In Conclusion

Restoring your desktop background/wallpaper in Windows 10/11 goes beyond a mere visual enhancement—it's about reclaiming your digital space. Whether you prefer tweaking settings, using built-in recovery tools, or leveraging powerful image recovery software for Windows like MyRecover, there are multiple ways to perform Windows 10 desktop wallpaper recovery.

One highly recommended solution is MyRecover, a reliable data recovery software known for its user-friendliness and efficiency in retrieving lost files, including desktop backgrounds or wallpapers. With this tool, you can also recover deleted files from external hard drives, SD cards, USB flash drives, SSDs, HDDs, and other storage devices easily. Download MyRecover now to enjoy it!

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
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FAQs on Desktop Background/Wallpaper Recovery

1. How Do I Change My Desktop Background Back to Normal?

  • Select Start > Settings > Personalization > Background.
  • In the list next to Personalize your background, select Picture, Solid color, Slideshow, or Windows Spotlight (to see a new image from around the world every day).

2. How Do I Restore My Old Wallpaper?

For minor scuffs or marks, gentle cleaning with a soft, damp cloth can often restore the wallpaper's appearance.

For more significant damage, such as deep scratches or tears, patching or substituting sections of the wallpaper may be necessary.

3. How to Reset Desktop Background Windows 10/11?

Go to Settings > Personalization > Background, then choose your preferred wallpaper or browse to select a new image.

4. Why Desktop Background Not Showing Windows 11?

This issue could be due to a corrupted user profile, outdated graphics drivers, or incorrect personalization settings.

5. Where is Desktop Background Stored Windows 11?

Desktop backgrounds are stored in the C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper directory by default.

6. How to Recover Deleted Wallpaper on iPhone?

Check the Recently Deleted album in Photos or restore from an iCloud backup if available.

7. Can I Use Myrecover for Other Data Recovery Needs Besides Restoring Wallpapers?

Absolutely! MyRecover is a versatile tool capable of recovering various file types and solving a wide range of data loss issues. Whether it's documents, photos, or videos, MyRecover has you covered.