How to Find Your Current Desktop Wallpaper’s File Location in Windows 11
Some users may like to customize Windows 11 desktop wallpapers with editing software. However, the Personalization section of the Settings app doesn’t show you the folder paths for wallpapers in themes downloaded from Microsoft’s site. Nor can you find the directory locations for Windows 11’s default backgrounds from there.
Sign up forfree
Forgot your password?
Create an account
*Required: 8 chars, 1 capital letter, 1 number
By continuing, you agree to thePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Use.You also agree to receive our newsletters, it’s possible to opt-out any time.
How to Find Your Desktop Wallpaper’s Location With Run Commands
Run is a command dialog app with which you can access folders and files in Explorer. You can find the file for the wallpaper currently on your Windows desktop with a couple of alternative commands. One command will bring up the folder that includes the background, and the other will enable you to open the image in editing software. This is how you can find your desktop wallpaper with both Run commands:
How to Find the Folder That Includes All Your Current Theme’s Desktop Wallpaper
The Run commands above will only find the wallpaper currently on your desktop. However, Windows slideshow themes have multiple wallpapers. If you have a wallpaper slideshow theme set, you’re able to find all its background image files by opening the folder that includes them as follows:
Now you can open all your Windows theme’s background images from that folder. Note that you’ll need to changein the specified path above to your real user folder’s name. The Themes folder that the path opens includes directories for all Windows themes you’ve downloaded.
How to Find Your Desktop Wallpaper’s Location With PowerShell
PowerShell is a useful command-line shell app for many things. You can find your wallpaper within PowerShell by executing a joint command that shows its full folder path. This is how you can find your wallpaper with that command:
Now you’ll see a folder path for your desktop wallpaper in PowerShell just below the executed command. Copy that location and open File Explorer. Then paste the path into Explorer’s address bar and pressEnterto open the file in your default image viewer software.
Or you can open the file’s folder instead. Delete the file’s name at the end of the path within Explorer. PressingEnterwill then bring up the folder from which you can open the file. Right-click the wallpaper file to selectOpen withand choose a suitable app.
How to Find Your Desktop Wallpaper’s Location With the Registry Editor
A wallpaper string within the registry includes the full path of your current desktop background. So, you can find your wallpaper’s location by looking at theValue databox for that string. These are the steps for finding your desktop wallpaper’s path with the Registry Editor app:
The registry also includes some strings that store the path locations of previously set desktop wallpapers. So, you may find the locations of previously set backgrounds with those strings. To do so, go to the wallpaper registry key:
That registry key includes five numbered BackgroundHistoryPath strings. Double-click theBackgroundHistoryPath0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 string to view itsValue databox. Then copy and paste the wallpapers’ paths into the File Explorer address bar.
How to Add a Desktop Wallpaper Location Option to the Context Menu
A context menu option for opening the folder that includes your current desktop wallpaper will give you more direct access to backgrounds. Of course, Windows 11’s right-click menu doesn’t have such a shortcut, but it’s possible to add a handy Desktop Wallpaper Locationcontext menu option with the freeware Winaero Tweaker. This is how to add aDesktop Wallpaper Locationshortcut to the context menu with that software:
Try out the newDesktop Wallpaper Locationoption on the right-click menu. Click an area of your Windows 11 desktop with the right mouse button and selectShow more options. Select theDesktop Wallpaper Locationoption on the classic menu. That shortcut with bring up the DesktopBackground directory for your theme or one of the subfolders within the Wallpaper folder.
Edit Your Current Windows 11 Desktop Wallpaper
When you’ve found your current Windows 11 desktop wallpaper with any of the methods above, you can edit it to your heart’s content. You can enhance your wallpaper with the filter, cropping, and adjustment tools in the Photos app included with Windows. Or spruce up your desktop’s background with the best freeware image editors, such as GIMP, Paint.NET, PhotoScapeX, and Pixlr E.
Who needs an expensive image editor? These free tools can help you achieve similar results at a much lower price.
These films will leave you questioning humanity, but also wanting more.
Unlock a world of entertainment possibilities with this clever TV hack.
Now, I actually finish the books I start.
Quality apps that don’t cost anything.
You’re not getting the most out of what you pay for iCloud+.
