How to Remove the 'Learn About This Picture' Icon in Windows 11 24H2

The latest updates to Windows 11, specifically the 24H2 update, have introduced some exciting AI features. However, there is a quirky little element that has raised eyebrows amongst users — the "Learn About This Picture" icon. Often popping up when you set a Spotlight background on your desktop, this icon may not resonate with everyone's aesthetic preferences. If you're one of those users who find this icon distracting and want it gone, you're in luck! Here’s how to banish it from your desktop.

What is the 'Learn About This Picture' Icon?​

For those who might be wondering, the "Learn About This Picture" icon acts as a gateway to more information about the current wallpaper image displayed on your desktop. When using Windows 11’s Spotlight feature to set dynamic backgrounds—pictures that change regularly—this icon appears automatically. While it’s designed to enhance your experience by providing additional context about the images, many users simply wish to relax and enjoy their wallpaper without the distraction of an extra icon.

The Good News​

Windows 11 allows you to remove this icon, though it requires a bit of maneuvering through the Registry Editor. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, so let’s tackle this together!

Step-by-Step Instructions​

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor​

• Use the search bar on your taskbar and type “Registry Editor” or "regedit."
• Select the Registry Editor from the search results.

Step 2: Navigate to the Relevant Key​

• Once inside the Registry Editor, you’ll need to navigate to a specific path. Copy and paste the following address into the address bar at the top of the window:
  
  Code:

   Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

Step 3: Locate the Icon Identifier​

• In the NewStartPanel section, look for an entry that has a long identifier:
  
  Code:

   {2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}

Step 4: Modify the Value​

• Select that entry and look for the “Value data” field.
• Change the value to 0—this effectively tells Windows to hide the icon.

Step 5: Apply Changes​

• Click OK to confirm your changes.

Step 6: Refresh Your Desktop​

• Simply refresh your desktop by right-clicking on an empty space and selecting “Refresh.” Alternatively, you can restart your PC to apply the changes fully.

Additional Hot Tips​

• If you ever change your mind, just follow the same steps, but this time set the "Value data" back to 1.
• If you're looking to change your wallpaper again, right-click on the desktop, select “Personalise,” and then choose a new background without fear of seeing that pesky icon again.

Conclusion​

Removing the "Learn About This Picture" icon from your Windows 11 desktop doesn’t have to be a cumbersome task. With just a few clicks within the Registry Editor, you can reclaim your desktop space from this uninvited guest. Have you experienced the 24H2 update? If it hasn’t graced your PC yet, or if your system is older and incompatible, there are still clever tricks to upgrade. Your desktop should be a canvas—enjoy it free from distractions!
Feel free to drop your thoughts or questions in the comments; we’re here to help! Happy customizing!

---

This guide provides a clear and friendly approach to helping users navigate through the oftentimes intimidating landscape of the Windows Registry. Embrace the beauty of a clutter-free desktop and enjoy your personalized experience on Windows 11!
Source: Gadget Bridge How to remove the ‘Learn About This Picture’ icon in Windows 11

Windows 11 has a knack for sleek aesthetics, and one of its fan-favorite features is Windows Spotlight. This nifty personalization option delivers gorgeous, ever-changing wallpapers for your desktop. Unlike the static (and often boring) options of yore, Spotlight spices things up by showcasing stunning images daily. Sounds great, right? But, as with all good things, there’s a catch—an annoying one at that.
Every time you enable Spotlight, you’re greeted with a rather uninvited guest: the "Learn More About This Picture" icon hanging out on your desktop. While it allows curious users to discover details about the wallpaper or change it easily, for most of us, it’s plain unnecessary. The bad news? You can’t simply toggle this little pest off in the Personalization settings. The good news? There are ways to banish it permanently—without sacrificing Spotlight’s breathtaking visuals.
Let’s unpack these solutions and figure out the best one for you.

---

Why Does the "Learn More About This Picture" Icon Exist?​

The icon essentially acts as a gateway to additional information about the wallpaper featured via Windows Spotlight. Think of it as a hyperlink tied to Microsoft Bing, where you can "learn more" about the photo's location, photographer, or related info. While this might spark joy for a curious traveler or photography buff, Microsoft hasn’t made it optional—forcing it onto all Spotlight users.
And what if you don’t care about those tidbits or just want a clean desktop? Microsoft’s oversight in not providing an easy toggle has resulted in a flood of complaints, with a popular Feedback Hub post on the issue racking up over 400,000 views!
But where Microsoft fails, tech-savvy users excel. Whether you’re willing to get hands-on with the Registry Editor or prefer sticking to third-party tools, there’s more than one way to reclaim your desktop real estate.

---

Solution 1: Disable Spotlight Entirely​

Ah, the nuclear option. If that pesky icon really gets under your skin and you don’t care about Spotlight’s dynamic wallpapers, you can simply turn the feature off and go back to selecting static backgrounds from your personal library. Here’s how:

• Go to Start and open Settings (Windows + I shortcut).
• Navigate to Personalization > Background.
• Under the Background section, switch from "Spotlight" to either:
• Picture (choose a specific image to set as your wallpaper).
• Slideshow (rotate through a folder of your own photos).

Voilà! No more Spotlight and, more importantly, no more "Learn More About This Picture" icon.
While this solution is straightforward, it’s not exactly ideal if you love Spotlight’s eye-catching wallpapers. So, let’s move on to methods that kill the icon while keeping Spotlight alive.

---

Solution 2: Edit the Windows Registry​

If you’re not afraid of tinkering under the hood, the Windows Registry provides a way to hide the icon while letting Spotlight do its thing. Follow these steps carefully, as improper edits to the Registry can cause system issues.

Steps to Remove the Icon via the Registry:​

• Backup the Registry:
• Type regedit in the Start search bar and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• In the menu, click File > Export.
• Save your backup to a safe location, just in case you want to revert changes.
• Navigate to This Registry Key:
  
  Code:

  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

• Create a New DWORD Value:
• Right-click in the empty area on the right-hand side.
• Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name the new value:
  
  Code:

  {2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}

• Set the Value Data:
• Double-click on the newly created DWORD.
• Set the Value Data to 1 and leave the Base as Hexadecimal.
• Click OK to save the changes.
• Restart Your PC:
  After applying these changes, restart your computer or log out and back in. The "Learn More About This Picture" icon should be gone.

If you ever want the icon back, revisit the same DWORD value and change its Value Data from 1 to 0.

---

Solution 3: Use Third-Party Software (ExplorerPatcher)​

For users who prefer to avoid playing with the Registry, trusty third-party tools can make life easier. One reliable option is ExplorerPatcher, an open-source utility designed for fine-tuning the Windows 11 Explorer and desktop experience.

Steps to Remove the Icon with ExplorerPatcher:​

• Download ExplorerPatcher from a reputable source like GitHub.
• Run the installer and allow the app to set up.
• Once installed, find the Spotlight settings within the app.
• Locate and enable an option (e.g., “Hide the ‘Learn More About This Picture’ icon”).

Results take effect almost instantly, and you can always use ExplorerPatcher to revert changes or explore additional customization options.

---

Should Microsoft Address This?​

Although these workarounds get the job done, the sheer volume of feedback on Microsoft’s own Feedback Hub suggests there’s significant demand for a permanent toggle in Windows Settings. And truthfully, it’s a no-brainer. Why force users to dive into the Registry or install third-party tools for something as basic as hiding a desktop icon?
Until the "Redmond giant" listens to user feedback, these methods remain your go-to solutions for a clean desktop.

---

Quick Summary & Recommendations:​

• Best for Zero Effort: Turn Spotlight off if you don’t mind giving up its rotating wallpapers.
• Best Balance of Control: Use the Registry Editor to hide the icon while retaining Spotlight.
• Best for Convenience: Install ExplorerPatcher if you want a quick and user-friendly solution.

Each option caters to a specific type of user. Whether you’re tech-savvy or prefer simplicity, the choice is yours.
Now, Windows Spotlight fans, it’s time to reclaim your desktop from the clutches of that intrusive icon! If you’ve tried these solutions or have your own tweaks, drop your thoughts in the comments section below. Which solution worked best for you—or are there any genius methods we missed?

---

Source: Windows Latest Permanently remove “Learn more about this picture” icon in Windows 11

Windows Spotlight continues to amaze users with its stunning array of ever-changing wallpapers on the desktop and lock screen. But while these wallpapers may transport you to otherworldly landscapes and breathtaking visuals, there’s one thing that brings us crashing back to earth: that frustrating “Learn more about this picture” icon.
Sure, the idea behind it—a quick link to learn more about the images you’re looking at—is novel. But for many of us, it’s a small, uninvited guest that overstays its welcome, stubbornly lingering on an otherwise pristine screen. If you’re ready to kick it out of your desktop experience, you’re in luck! Let’s break down how you can banish this icon from your Windows desktop and tackle the lock screen quirks.

---

What’s the Icon, and Why Does It Exist?​

The “Learn more about this picture” icon is a built-in feature of Windows Spotlight. This handy-but-annoying button allows users to fetch more information about the Spotlight wallpaper, such as the origins of the photo and its photographer. While some appreciate the trivia, others (likely staring at the icon daily) wish it weren’t burning a hole in the wallpaper.
Unfortunately for customization enthusiasts, Microsoft hasn’t provided a simple toggle to hide this icon. But despair not! There are ways to make it vanish, some simpler than others. Let’s walk you through foolproof methods to deal with this icon.

---

Removing the Icon from the Desktop​

For the desktop Spotlight wallpapers, Microsoft ties the icon’s behavior to certain system configurations. This means with a bit of finesse (or help from tools), you can say goodbye to it:

---

Method 1: Using the Registry Editor​

If you’re not afraid of diving into the inner sanctum of your Windows Operating System, the Registry Editor can be put to good use. Here are the steps:

• Open the Registry Editor
  Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
• Navigate to the Following Key
  Head to:
  
  Code:

  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

  Don’t be intimidated—this is just the location where desktop tweaks are stored.
• Add a New DWORD (32-bit) Value
• Right-click in the right panel and select:
• New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Rename this to:
  
  Code:

  {2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}

• Set Its Value to 1
• Double-click on the newly created entry.
• Set the Value Data to 1 and select OK.
• Restart Your PC
  Voilà! When your computer boots up again, the icon should no longer haunt your desktop wallpaper.

Cautionary Note:
Messing with the Registry can be risky if you’re unfamiliar with it. Be sure to back up your Registry or create a System Restore point prior to making changes!

---

Method 2: Using Windhawk​

If rifling through the Registry feels too old-school (or nerve-wracking), consider Windhawk. This lightweight tool offers mods to customize nearly every aspect of Windows’ interface, including the removal of Spotlight icons.

• Download and Install Windhawk
  Perform a quick Google search to locate their official site and download the installer.
• Search for the Mod
• Open Windhawk and click Explore.
• Type in or locate the “Remove Windows Spotlight Desktop Shortcut” mod.
• Install the Mod
  Once found, click on Details → Install.
• Refresh Your Desktop
  Either refresh the desktop manually or restart Explorer via Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)→ "End Task" for "Windows Explorer" and restart it.

Windhawk takes the complexity out of manual modifications and lets you visually manage tweaks.

---

Method 3: Explorer Patcher​

Another excellent tool is Explorer Patcher, which specializes in refining Windows’ user interface. Here’s how to use it:

• Download Explorer Patcher
  Search for Explorer Patcher on GitHub and download the latest release.
• Install and Open Settings
  Once installed, access its settings by right-clicking the taskbar and choosing Properties.
• Navigate to Spotlight Settings
• Under Explorer Patcher Properties, select Spotlight.
• Enable the Hide the “Learn about this picture” icon option.

Explorer Patcher provides deep customization of taskbar and Spotlight settings that even Windhawk might not cover.

---

Dealing with Lock Screen Icons​

Here’s the kicker: for Spotlight wallpapers on the lock screen, there isn’t a straightforward way to remove the icons. Yes, Microsoft insists they stay.
However, there is a clever workaround: download Spotlight wallpapers and manually set them as static images.

• Download the Spotlight Wallpapers
  Tools or guides to help locate your Windows Spotlight images can be found online, or you can dig through the following directory on your system:
  
  Code:

  %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets

• Set Your Lock Screen Wallpaper Manually
• Go to Settings → Personalization → Lock Screen.
• Under Personalize your lock screen, switch to Picture and select your downloaded image.

This method doesn’t remove the lock screen icons for the official Spotlight mode, but it visually recreates the same experience without clutter.

---

The Final Word​

Spotlight wallpapers are among the many features that make Windows 11’s aesthetics a fan-favorite. However, even beautiful design choices can falter when clunky icons clutter the view. “Learn more about this picture” might have its geeks and fans, but for the rest of us wanting a cleaner desktop experience, removing it is almost cathartic.
Whether you’re a tinkerer fiddling with the Registry or someone who prefers the click-click convenience of apps like Windhawk, Windows users have multiple options to zap this redundant icon off their screens. As for the lock screen icons, while they’re less forgiving, a little creativity with static wallpapers goes a long way.
Have you tried any of these methods, or do you swear by a different trick? Share your experiences or questions in the comment section below on WindowsForum.com—we’d love to spy more secrets from the pros!

---

Source: nerdschalk.com How to Remove ‘Learn More About This Picture’ Icon on Spotlight Desktop and Lock Screen Wallpapers in Windows 11