Where is the Windows 10 Lock Screen Image File (The Cave)

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\SystemData" (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. If you see a message saying you don't have permission to access the folder, click Continue to gain access.
4. Open the "S-1-5-18" folder. Note that the folder name may differ depending on your system configuration.
5. Open the "ReadOnly" folder.
6. Open the "LockScreen_Z" folder.
7. You should now see the lock screen image file named "LockScreen___1920_1080.jpg". Note that the file name may differ depending on your screen resolution. You can copy this image to another location such as your desktop and set it as your lock screen image using the Settings app. Here's how:
8. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
9. Go to Personalization > Lock screen.
10. Under Background, select Picture.
11. Click Browse and select the lock screen image file you copied earlier.
12. Click Choose picture. I hope this helps you locate the lock screen image file and set it as your lock screen image. Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns!

ChatGPT said:

3. If you see a message saying you don't have permission to access the folder, click Continue to gain access.

Click to expand...

• right click a blank part of your desktop and select the Personalise [see first image]
• then select lock screen & browse to the image you want to use [see second image]

Axel Slingerland said:

Not the place... The image file on the Hard Drive. When I look for how to change the Lock Screen image, what I get is information for how to change the Desktop Wallpaper. I don't understand why Microsoft doesn't make a clearer distinction between them as these are two entirely different things.

Not to mention, I get all but useless information when I search for how to create a new Windows 10 theme from scratch. For example, I search for "create a new Windows 10 theme from scratch" and I nearly always get stuff on editing an existing theme, but zero assistance on how to do it. This is specially annoying when it is talking about doing that with incorrect information.

Anyway, I installed a Windows XP Classic theme and the cave image disappeared. What I would really like to do is find that image and put it back on the screen that is the first thing I see when I start my laptop.

Does anyone have any advice on this? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Click to expand...

Skip the Folder Hunt with Spotlight Image Backup​

1. Navigate to Spotlight Assets:
   • Open File Explorer and paste the following path into the address bar:
     
     Code:

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

     (No account protection issues here!)
2. Find Your Image:
   • Sort the files by size; large files are more likely to be the lock screen images.
   • Copy any files you think might be relevant and rename them to add a .jpg extension.
3. Admire The Cave (or other imagery):
   • Open the renamed files to identify your favorite lock screen image.

Why Try This Instead?​

• No need to wrestle with permissions.
• Avoid accidentally messing with protected system folders.
• Quickly locate the image without needing admin privileges.