Your desktop background says a lot about your style. But sometimes you want a clean, distraction-free workspace without a photo or wallpaper. Whether you accidentally set the wrong image, want a solid color instead, or just prefer minimalism, removing the picture from your desktop background in Windows 11 is simple.
In this guide, we’ll cover all the easy ways to remove a picture from your background, set solid colors, or even leave it completely blank.
Summary: Key Takeaways
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Windows 11 lets you replace or remove background pictures directly from the Settings app.
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You can switch to a solid color, slideshow, or default Windows background instead of a custom picture.
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If Settings don’t update immediately, try clearing cached images or restarting Explorer.
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Removing the picture gives a cleaner desktop look and may slightly improve performance on older PCs.
Why Remove a Picture from the Desktop Background?
Everyone has their reasons. Some common ones include:
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Minimalist preference – a solid color looks clean and distraction-free.
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Performance boost – background images use a small amount of system memory.
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Professional environment – workplaces may require a plain desktop.
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Wrong image set – maybe you accidentally set a photo as wallpaper and want to reset it.
👉 Think of it like decluttering your desk — removing the picture can make your digital workspace feel calmer.
Methods to Remove Picture from Desktop Background in Windows 11
There are several easy ways to do this. Let’s go through them step by step.
Method 1: Remove Picture via Settings App
The Settings app is the most direct way.
Steps:
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Go to Personalization > Background.
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Under Personalize your background, click the dropdown menu.
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Choose:
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Solid color → replaces picture with a color.
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Slideshow → cycles through chosen pictures.
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Picture → to set a new image.
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👉 Selecting Solid color removes the picture entirely.
Method 2: Switch to a Solid Color Background
Want no picture at all? A solid color is the cleanest option.
Steps:
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Open Settings > Personalization > Background.
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In the dropdown, select Solid color.
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Pick your preferred color (blue, black, white, etc.).
👉 This gives you a simple, distraction-free desktop.
Method 3: Reset to Default Windows 11 Background
If you want the default Windows 11 wallpaper back instead of your custom photo:
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Open Settings > Personalization > Background.
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Select Picture from the dropdown.
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Choose one of the Windows default images.
Method 4: Remove Cached Wallpapers
Sometimes the background image sticks even after changes. You can clear it manually.
Steps:
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Press Win + R, type:
and press Enter.
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Delete any unwanted TranscodedWallpaper files.
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Restart your PC.
👉 This forces Windows to refresh your wallpaper settings.
Method 5: Remove Background Using File Explorer
If you accidentally set a specific photo and want to reset:
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Open File Explorer.
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Navigate to the folder where the image is saved.
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Delete or move the file (only if you don’t need it anymore).
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Change background via Settings > Background.
Method 6: Use Right-Click on Desktop
For a quick shortcut:
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Right-click on your desktop.
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Select Personalize.
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Change Background settings → choose Solid color.
Method 7: Disable Desktop Background (Advanced)
If you want no background at all:
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Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl → press Enter.
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Go to Advanced > Performance Settings.
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Uncheck Show desktop background image.
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Click Apply > OK.
👉 This completely disables background pictures system-wide.
Comparison: Different Ways to Remove Background
| Method | Difficulty | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Settings App | Easy | Replace with color/slideshow |
| Solid Color | Easy | Removes image, keeps plain background |
| Reset to Default | Easy | Restores Windows wallpaper |
| Clear Cached Files | Medium | Fixes stuck images |
| File Explorer | Medium | Removes specific image |
| Disable via System Settings | Advanced | Removes all background images |
Troubleshooting: When the Picture Won’t Go Away
Why does my wallpaper stay even after I change it?
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Cached wallpaper not cleared.
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Settings not applied correctly.
Fix: Clear cached wallpapers (Method 4) and restart Explorer.
Why can’t I set a solid color?
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Group policies or admin restrictions may block changes.
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Try using Settings > Ease of Access > Display > Simplify backgrounds.
Can removing wallpaper speed up my PC?
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On older PCs with low RAM/graphics, yes — it frees small resources.
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On modern PCs, the difference is minimal.
Pro Tips
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Dark solid colors (like black or navy) save battery on OLED laptops.
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Light colors reduce eye strain in bright environments.
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For work PCs, choose professional backgrounds (blue, gray).
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If you switch often, pin Settings > Personalization to Start for quick access.
Conclusion
Removing a picture from your desktop background in Windows 11 is quick and easy. You can switch to a solid color for simplicity, restore the default wallpaper, or even disable backgrounds completely if you want a performance-focused, distraction-free setup.
No matter which method you choose, Windows 11 gives you the flexibility to personalize your desktop exactly the way you want.
FAQs: Removing Desktop Background Picture in Windows 11
1. How do I remove a picture and just have a plain desktop?
Go to Settings > Personalization > Background → select Solid color.
2. Can I set my desktop to black with no image?
Yes, choose Solid color > Black.
3. Why does my picture keep reappearing after restart?
Clear cached wallpapers from %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes.
4. Can I turn off desktop background entirely?
Yes, via System Properties > Performance Settings > Disable desktop background image.
5. Does removing wallpaper save battery?
Slightly, especially on OLED laptops where darker backgrounds use less power.