Remove 'Learn More About This Picture' Icon in Windows Spotlight

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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