Windows 10 includes a limited collection of desktop backgrounds to choose. And, the Windows Spotlight feature, previously limited to Windows 10 Home, became available in the Pro edition via the November Update.
It provides a travel log of stunning background images taken from around the world on your Lock Screen. Many of these are desktop worthy, too. Here’s how you can find and collect those pictures.
Find Windows Spotlight Lock Screen Pictures
Windows Spotlight Images are not stored in the most obvious of places. First, open your user folder, press Windows key + R then type: %userprofile% and hit Enter.
When File Explorer opens up, you’ll need to turn on Show hidden files and folders. Click the View tab then check the box: Hidden items within the Show/Hide group.
The AppData folder will now appear in your User folder. Open it then navigate to Local > Packages > Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy > LocalState > Assets.
The images will appear as blank files, select all of them Control + A then copy with Control + C. Create a new folder in your Documents folder or on the Desktop then paste the files with Control + V.
Open the folder containing the blank Files, click File menu > Open Command Prompt > Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Type the following command: Ren *.* *.jpg then hit Enter. This batch command will convert the blank files to JPEG images and make them visible.
Your mileage might vary, though. I don’t know if it’s because I am using a limited data plan, why I don’t have many of these Spotlight images stored. Some of the files will be asset images, used as resources for app icons; you can delete what you don’t need.
You can periodically check the folder for new images. If you want an easier way to obtain new wallpapers for your desktop, check out our article on how to download and install Windows Themes.
