How to save the Windows login screen landscape photos

Summary

The web content provides instructions for saving landscape photos from the Windows 10 and 11 login screens to a user's computer.

Abstract

The article titled "How to save the Windows login screen landscape photos" explains the process of locating and saving the high-quality images that appear on the login screens of Windows 10 and 11. These images are stored in a hidden folder on the user's PC, and the article outlines a step-by-step method to make hidden folders visible, navigate to the correct location, and copy the image files. It also includes an alternative method using a third-party tool called "Extension Changer" from CNET for renaming file extensions in bulk. The instructions emphasize creating a dedicated folder for these images and using caution when renaming files to avoid affecting other system files.

Opinions

The author references "How-To Geek" as a source for tech tips, implying a trust in that site's expertise.
The author suggests that the location of the Windows lock screen images is not intuitive, indicating some users might find it hard to locate without guidance.
A positive opinion is expressed about the convenience of creating a desktop shortcut for easy access to the folder containing the images.
The author shows consideration for users' ease and safety by advising the creation of a dedicated folder for the copied images.
The author appears to trust the CNET website, recommending "Extension Changer" as a safe and reliable tool from that source.
The author provides a cautionary note about the presence of "junk files" amidst the image files and advises users to only work within the dedicated image folder to avoid system issues.

How to save the Windows login screen landscape photos

Sample of Microsoft Windows 11 login screen by Amy Potter

As the great tech tips site “How-To Geek” points out, there’s no effortless way to grab the images on the Windows 10 lock screen. You can’t just right-click and save. Fortunately, you can find the pictures tucked away on your computer.

Where do Windows 10 and Windows 11 store those pretty landscape photos on your login screen? Well, Microsoft hides those beautiful photos in a location you would never think to look, but the good news is, here’s how to find them:

1. Make sure hidden folders are visible by opening an Explorer window and selecting Show Hidden Items from the View tab.

2. Navigate in your Explorer window to local disk C, whatever your user name is, and then go to: %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets

3. When you find this file, right-click and send a shortcut to your desktop. That way, you won’t have to perform this search again. You can just click on the shortcut. I noticed on Windows 11 that you must select “show more options” to see the “send to desktop” option.

4. Copy the files in this “Assets” folder to another location on your computer where you can easily find them. Create a dedicated folder for these images.

5. (See below for alternate instructions.) In the Explorer window for the new folder, open a command prompt as an administrator from the File menu.

6. Run the following command to add a .jpg extension to all the files you just copied:

ren *.* *.jpg

What you’re left with will be a mixture of images plus some assorted junk files that are used by the lock screen. You can delete any of the images that you don’t need. Again, be sure to only work out of a folder dedicated to the images you copied from the lock screen folder, as the renaming command could mess up other files if you’re not careful.

Alternate instructions: Instead of numbers 5 and 6 and running the command prompt, you can download “Extension Changer” from CNET. I trust their site. The URL is https://download.cnet.com/extension-changer/3000-2072_4-10394272.html. You can also do a Google search to find this small program. The instructions to use it are simple. Here is a copy of the notes from CNET’s webpage.

Editors’ Review

Download.com Staff Feb 27, 2009

This simple application lets you easily change the extension of a single file or multiple files within a folder, though it offers little else in the way of features or capabilities. Extension Changer offers two ways to change file extensions. Open the program and drag and drop files or folders into a small inset box under the Main tab, fill in the new extension, and press Change. The easier method is to right-click on files and folders and select Edit the extension. Your document or folder is already displayed and you need only type the new extension. Changes were immediately applied. Desktop and Start menu shortcuts aren’t automatically added, but since the program is so easily available when it’s needed, this isn’t a problem. A simple tool is offered to search for more information on extensions. This utility is easy to use, does exactly what it says, and is offered free of charge.

Thanks for reading. Let me know if you have questions or comments about this method of saving those lovely login photos.