Lockscreen issues on Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2013-10-19T07:26:41+00:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSHEC0oeK0&list=HL1382167444&feature=mh_lolz

I can not change my lock screen at all. It just loads but does not allow me to change it at all. The link is a video, hopefully demonstrating my problem. I am running a purchased and activated version of windows 8.1. (Purchased windows 8 and upgraded).

Thanks for your help.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2013-10-22T15:16:33+00:00
  1. First, open the registry using Regedit.exe.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen
  3. Right-click on the folder and select Export.
  4. Save this as a backup incase this doesn't work for you.
  5. Copy the text in my last post, starting with Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00, into Notepad.
  6. Save the file as Update.reg.
  7. Right-click on the file and select merge.
  8. If you hit F5 in Regedit, you should see the new fields added.
  9. Try to set your lock screen, You may have to close it down first then restart the settings for it to take affect.

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

125 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-06-09T13:50:51+00:00

    Michael, the registry fix is for when using the interface (or the underlying API) doesn't work for some reason; for example, as my system was, I could have followed your instructions, and although I could have selected the picture I wanted, it would have had no effect. The lock screen picture would not actually change. Having applied the registry fix, I can now do that and it will work.

    It was my intent to make it a bit easier to find for the less technically inclined in a few simple steps as initially I couldn't find it easily in spite of looking in most the obvious places.  In following the thread here on the subject of the lock screen I did check the registry on my system and found it empty, I did not have to actually change a single registry key to accomplish changing the picture and when I awakened my system this morning it responded with the picture I had selected and even displayed the time.  My system has only been running Windows 8 for 3 days now and as such I'm still working on setting things up, tweaking it to my liking.

    Windows 8.1

    OS Version 6.3.9600

    64 Bit

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-09T09:50:26+00:00

    Michael, the registry fix is for when using the interface (or the underlying API) doesn't work for some reason; for example, as my system was, I could have followed your instructions, and although I could have selected the picture I wanted, it would have had no effect. The lock screen picture would not actually change. Having applied the registry fix, I can now do that and it will work.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-09T09:27:24+00:00

    Like the others I did not like the lock screen and wanted to change it, typed in the search tool in charms, didn't really find anything answers there, happen to stumble into here noticed the discussion on the same issue I was having.  I've dabbled in the past in previous versions of windows pruning and tweaking my systems  registries.  Even though I felt comfortable with it, there has to be a way without exporting my registry and using a update.reg coding, did a few more searches on the web seen some pictures showing the device setting on left of screen, so i left my desktop went to the tiles / metro interface

    1. open charms
    2. selected settings
    3. selected change PC settings
    4. left clicked on that lock screen picture
    5. lock screen menu appears
    6. problem solved, even selected the picture i wanted...

    Hope this helps those not comfortable with registry pruning.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-06-09T05:23:59+00:00

    this worked brilliantly thank you!!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments