How to Find Windows Spotlight Images

What are Windows Spotlight Images?

Windows Spotlight is a feature in Windows 10 that allows users to have a personalized lock screen experience. One of the highlights of this feature is the beautiful and captivating images that appear on the lock screen. These images are known as Windows Spotlight Images.

Windows Spotlight Images are high-quality photographs or art pieces sourced from various locations, such as nature scenes, famous landmarks, abstract designs, and stunning vistas. Each day, a new image is displayed on the lock screen, offering users a refreshing visual experience.

What sets Windows Spotlight Images apart is their high resolution and attention-grabbing compositions. These images are carefully selected by a team of curators at Microsoft, guaranteeing a diverse range of captivating visuals that cater to different tastes and preferences.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Windows Spotlight Images also serve a functional purpose. They often feature informative captions or tips, providing users with interesting facts, time-saving tips, or helpful suggestions.

Windows Spotlight Images can be interactive as well. Some images include an icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen, allowing users to provide feedback on the image. By selecting “Like what you see?” or “Not a fan?”, users can help improve the selection of future lock screen images.

Overall, Windows Spotlight Images add a touch of beauty and variety to the Windows 10 lock screen experience. Whether you’re starting your day, returning from a break, or simply admiring the visuals, these images offer a delightful blend of art and functionality.

Method 1: Use the Windows Spotlight Folder

If you’re interested in finding and accessing the Windows Spotlight Images on your computer, one of the easiest methods is to navigate to the Windows Spotlight folder. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the File Explorer on your Windows 10 computer.
In the address bar, paste the following directory path:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets

Press Enter, and it will take you to the Windows Spotlight folder.
In the folder, you will find a collection of files with randomly generated names.
These files are actually the Windows Spotlight Images, but they do not have file extensions. To view them as proper images, you’ll need to add the .jpg extension to the files.
Copy and paste the files to a new location on your computer to easily access and view them.

Once you’ve successfully followed these steps, you’ll be able to view and appreciate the stunning Windows Spotlight Images at your convenience.

It’s important to note that these images are stored in a temporary folder and may be deleted when your system clears temporary files. Therefore, it’s recommended to copy and save the images to a separate folder if you want to keep them permanently.

Using the Windows Spotlight Folder method gives you direct access to the source of these beautiful images. You can admire their artistry, set them as your desktop background, or even use them as inspiration for your own creative projects.

Method 2: Use the Run Command

Another convenient way to find and access Windows Spotlight Images is by using the Run command feature in Windows 10. Here’s how you can do it:

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run command dialog box.
Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets in the text field and click OK.
This will open the Windows Spotlight folder, which contains the images used for the lock screen.
As mentioned earlier, the images in this folder do not have file extensions. To view them as proper images, you’ll need to add the .jpg extension to the files.
To do this, select all the files in the folder and press F2 on your keyboard to rename them.
Add the .jpg extension to the end of each file name and press Enter.
Once you’ve renamed the files, you can copy and paste them to another location on your computer for easier access and viewing.

Using the Run command method offers a quick way to locate and retrieve Windows Spotlight Images without the need to manually navigate through multiple folders.

Remember that the Windows Spotlight Images may include a variety of stunning visuals, including landscapes, cityscapes, abstract designs, and more. Explore the collection and find your favorite images to use as wallpaper or simply appreciate their beauty.

Keep in mind that the images in the Windows Spotlight folder are regularly updated, so you can always find fresh and captivating visuals to enhance your desktop experience.

Method 3: Use the Registry Editor

If you’re comfortable making changes in the Registry Editor, you can use this method to find and access Windows Spotlight Images. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the Run command dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R.
Type regedit and click OK to open the Registry Editor.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen\Creative

On the right-side panel, look for the value named RootDir.
Double-click on RootDir and copy the Value Data.
Open the File Explorer and paste the copied value data into the address bar.
Press Enter, and it will take you to the Windows Spotlight Images folder.
In this folder, you will find a collection of image files without file extensions.
To view them as images, you’ll need to add the .jpg extension to each file.
Copy the files to a different location on your computer for easy access and viewing.

It’s important to exercise caution when using the Registry Editor, as making incorrect changes can cause system instability. It’s recommended to create a backup of your registry before making any modifications.

By using the Registry Editor, you can uncover the location of the Windows Spotlight Images and explore their captivating visuals. Whether you want to set them as wallpapers or simply appreciate their artistry, this method provides another pathway to accessing these stunning images.

Remember to periodically check the Windows Spotlight Images folder for new additions, as Microsoft regularly updates the collection to offer users a fresh and visually engaging lock screen experience.

Method 4: Use a Third-Party Software

If you prefer a more user-friendly and automated approach to finding Windows Spotlight Images, you can rely on third-party software specifically designed for this purpose. These software solutions provide a convenient way to locate and retrieve Windows Spotlight Images. Here’s how you can use a third-party software:

Research and choose a reliable and trustworthy third-party software that specializes in extracting Windows Spotlight Images. There are several options available, such as “SpotBright” or “WindowsSpotlightExtractor.”
Download and install the chosen software on your Windows 10 computer.
Launch the software and follow the prompts to initiate the scanning or extraction process.
The software will automatically locate the Windows Spotlight Images on your system and present them in a user-friendly interface.
Depending on the software, you may have various options to view, save, or set the images as wallpapers directly from the interface.
Explore the collection of Windows Spotlight Images and choose your favorite visuals to enhance your desktop experience.

Using a third-party software simplifies the process of finding and accessing Windows Spotlight Images. It eliminates the need for manual navigation and renaming of files, offering a more streamlined and user-friendly experience.

As with any third-party software, it’s important to ensure that you download from reputable sources and keep your antivirus software up to date. This will help protect your system from any potential security risks.

By leveraging the capabilities of third-party software, you can enjoy a seamless and efficient solution for finding and organizing Windows Spotlight Images on your Windows 10 computer.

Method 5: Extract Images from Windows.old Folder

If you recently upgraded or reinstalled Windows 10 on your computer and have a Windows.old folder, you can utilize this method to extract Windows Spotlight Images. Here’s how:

Open File Explorer on your Windows 10 computer.
Navigate to the drive where Windows is installed (usually the C: drive).
Locate the Windows.old folder, which contains your previous installation of Windows.
Open the Windows.old folder and navigate to the following path:

Windows.old\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets

In this folder, you will find a collection of files.
These files are the Windows Spotlight Images, but they do not have file extensions.
To view them as images, you’ll need to add the .jpg extension to each file.
Copy the files to a different location on your computer for easier access and viewing.

The Windows.old folder is created when you perform a major Windows update or reinstall the operating system. It retains the previous installation’s files to ensure a smooth transition. This method allows you to extract the Windows Spotlight Images that were previously used on your lock screen.

Remember to save the extracted images to another location on your computer as the Windows.old folder may be deleted during disk cleanup or after a certain period of time.

By extracting images from the Windows.old folder, you can access and enjoy Windows Spotlight Images from your previous installation, preserving the captivating visuals that adorned your lock screen.

Method 6: Disable and Re-enable Windows Spotlight

If you want to access the Windows Spotlight Images directly from the Windows settings, you can try disabling and re-enabling the Windows Spotlight feature. Here’s how:

Open the Start menu and click on the Settings icon (represented by a gear-shaped symbol).
In the Settings window, click on “Personalization.”
On the left-hand side panel, click on “Lock screen.”
In the Lock screen settings, under the Background section, select “Picture” or any other option except “Windows Spotlight.”
Once you’ve selected a different background option, you can go back and choose “Windows Spotlight” again.
This will refresh the Windows Spotlight Images and bring up new images on your lock screen.

By temporarily disabling and re-enabling the Windows Spotlight feature, you can trigger the system to fetch and display new lock screen images. This method allows you to quickly access and enjoy the latest Windows Spotlight Images without any extra effort.

Keep in mind that the frequency of image updates may vary, and it depends on various factors such as your internet connection and Microsoft’s image distribution system. However, using this method gives you a chance to see different images each time you enable the Windows Spotlight feature.

Additionally, make sure to check the “Windows Spotlight” option regularly to enjoy fresh and captivating visuals on your lock screen, providing you with a delightful and ever-changing experience.

Method 7: Extract Images from the Lock Screen Assets Folder

If you want a straightforward method to extract Windows Spotlight Images, you can access the Lock Screen Assets folder on your Windows 10 computer. Here’s how:

Open File Explorer on your Windows 10 computer.
Navigate to the following path:

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

In the “Assets” folder, you will find a collection of files with randomly generated names.
These files are the Windows Spotlight Images, but they do not have file extensions.
To view them as proper images, you’ll need to add the .jpg extension to each file.
Copy the files to another location on your computer for easy access and viewing.

The Lock Screen Assets folder contains a variety of files, including Windows Spotlight Images that have been downloaded to your computer. By accessing this folder, you can extract and save these images to view and enjoy them at your convenience.

It’s worth noting that the images in the Lock Screen Assets folder may also include other related files, such as thumbnails or temporary files. Make sure to sort the files by size to identify the larger ones, which are typically the Windows Spotlight Images.

By extracting images from the Lock Screen Assets folder, you can access the captivating visuals that adorned your lock screen and enjoy them even when they have been replaced with new images.

Method 8: Extract Images from LocalState

If you’re looking to extract Windows Spotlight Images from the LocalState folder, this method provides an alternative approach. Here’s how you can do it:

Open File Explorer on your Windows 10 computer.
Navigate to the following path:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState

In the “LocalState” folder, look for a file named Assets.
Copy the Assets file to another location on your computer.
Rename the copied file to Assets.jpg and confirm the file extension change.
Now, you can open the renamed file with an image viewer or photo editing software to view the extracted Windows Spotlight Images.
Depending on your software, you may need to browse through the images and manually save them from the file.

The LocalState folder contains the Assets file, which stores the Windows Spotlight Images used on your lock screen. By extracting this file and renaming it with a .jpg extension, you can view and access these images independently.

Keep in mind that the Assets file may also include other files, such as temporary files or thumbnails. To extract only the Windows Spotlight Images, make sure to recognize the larger files, as they typically represent the high-resolution images.

By leveraging the contents of the LocalState folder, you can extract and appreciate the captivating visuals that have adorned your lock screen using Windows Spotlight.