Have you ever noticed a persistent icon on your Windows desktop that reads “Learn about this picture”? This icon, while seemingly innocuous, can be distracting and unwanted for many users. This article will guide you through the simple steps to remove this icon and customize your desktop experience.
Understanding the “Learn About This Picture” Icon
The “Learn about this picture” icon is directly linked to the Windows Spotlight feature. Windows Spotlight is a default background setting that displays different images from Bing on your lock screen and, sometimes, on your desktop. This feature is designed to introduce you to new and interesting images daily and offers options to “Learn more about this picture,” “Switch to the next picture,” or indicate “Not a fan of this picture.”
While Windows Spotlight can be visually appealing, the desktop icon can become a nuisance. Many users prefer a cleaner desktop environment without interactive elements overlaid on their background. The good news is that removing this icon is straightforward and requires only a few adjustments to your Windows settings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove the Icon
The most effective way to get rid of the “Learn about this picture” icon is to change your desktop background setting. Here’s how you can do it:
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Access Personalization Settings: The quickest way to access the background settings is to right-click on an empty area of your desktop. If you are using a screen reader, ensure no items are selected by pressing
Ctrl + Spaceon the desktop, then press the Applications key to open the context menu. From the context menu, select “Personalize.” This action will open the Personalization settings window. -
Navigate to Background Settings: In the Personalization window, you will see several options on the left-hand sidebar. Select “Background.” This will bring you to the desktop background settings.
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Change the Background Option: Within the Background settings, you’ll find a dropdown menu labeled “Background.” This menu likely displays “Windows Spotlight” if you are seeing the “Learn about this picture” icon. To remove the icon, you need to change this setting.
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Choose “Solid color” or “Picture”: Click on the “Background” dropdown menu and select either “Solid color” or “Picture.”
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Solid color: If you choose “Solid color,” you can select a single color for your desktop background. This is a simple and clean option that many users prefer for minimal distraction. You can choose from a palette of colors or select a custom color.
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Picture: Selecting “Picture” allows you to choose a specific image as your desktop background. You can browse your computer to find a personal photo or use one of the default Windows images.
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Slideshow: Alternatively, you can select “Slideshow” to use a collection of images from a folder as your background, which will change at set intervals.
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Apply the Changes: Once you have selected “Solid color” or “Picture” and chosen your preferred background, the “Learn about this picture” icon should disappear from your desktop immediately. You may close the Settings window.
By switching from Windows Spotlight to a solid color or a personal picture, you effectively disable the feature that displays the icon. This ensures a cleaner and more personalized desktop experience, free from unwanted interactive elements.
Why Does This Icon Appear with Windows Spotlight?
As mentioned earlier, the “Learn about this picture” icon is an integral part of the Windows Spotlight desktop background feature. Microsoft designed this feature to be interactive, allowing users to engage with the daily images provided by Bing. The icon serves as a direct link to learn more about the displayed image, provide feedback on the image, or switch to a different one.
While this interactivity might be appealing to some, it’s not universally desired. For users who prefer a static and uncluttered desktop, or for those who find the icon visually distracting, changing the background setting is the most straightforward solution.
Conclusion
Removing the “Learn about this picture” icon from your Windows desktop is a simple process that enhances your control over your desktop environment. By navigating to Personalization settings and changing your background from Windows Spotlight to a solid color or a personal picture, you can easily eliminate this icon. This adjustment provides a cleaner, more focused, and customized desktop experience, perfectly tailored to your preferences. Enjoy your decluttered and personalized Windows desktop!
