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.
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.
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!
However, there is a clever workaround: download Spotlight wallpapers and manually set them as static images.
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
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
PressWindows + R, typeregedit, and hit Enter. - Navigate to the Following Key
Head to:
Don’t be intimidated—this is just the location where desktop tweaks are stored.Code:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel - 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}
- Right-click in the right panel and select:
- Set Its Value to 1
- Double-click on the newly created entry.
- Set the Value Data to
1and select OK.
- Restart Your PC
Voilà! When your computer boots up again, the icon should no longer haunt your desktop wallpaper.
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.
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.
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.
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
