My Windows Spotlight isn't working

AdaXrsh 35

Hello, I can't change my Windows spotlight images. It was earlier stuck on the default blue windows 11 image and now it is all black + it doesn't load when I try switching the pictures to windows spotlight in Lockscreen settings. Pls help I have been getting this error for the previous 3-4 months. I tried everything, searched it on youtube, visited multiple sites (Microsoft too). I ran all the commands that were listed by some of microsoft's own staff. Please reply ASAP. I'll attach the images I am seeing while changing it to windows spotlight. Screenshot 2025-11-30 231734

Thank You!

Moved from: Sysinternals

Anonymous

2025-12-02T20:28:30.7966667+00:00

Same problem here!
C. Denninger 5 Reputation points

2026-02-17T17:12:01.5233333+00:00

Oké, I just repeated the steps I did on December 20th. Still without a working result.

I also found out there are a lot of messages in Microsoft's feedback-hub. Maybe Microsoft will look into this bug if we all upvote them?

Here are al the feedback I could find, maybe there are more...
https://aka.ms/AA8iflt | https://aka.ms/AAt4ceb | https://aka.ms/AAaslmf | https://aka.ms/AAz1ary | https://aka.ms/AAzt31k | https://aka.ms/AAztamk | https://aka.ms/AAzt31p | https://aka.ms/AAzt31t | https://aka.ms/AAztic7 | https://aka.ms/AAztamr | https://aka.ms/AAzticc

Note: you have to open them in Feedback-hub in Windows (the browser will ask you to).

9 answers

Astrid & Olivier 0 Reputation points

2026-02-17T10:50:13.2166667+00:00

Same issue here: spotlight not working for months now. We tried ALL the "solutions" listed here (folders, powershell, terminal, etc.), still not working.

It's microsoft as usual: complex, inefficient and no support. We also had an issue with onedrive not working any more, supposedly because our profile was corrupt... ?!... even though we didn't do anything specific... !? Not to mention the fact ms won't support windows 10 any more (we have 11 but our parents have 10 and cannot upgrade, they're stuck).

We had a Mac previously, was working fine for more than 10 years, never an issue. The only reason we changed is the excel macros weren't working properly between Mac office and ms from work. We regret now.
Was this answer helpful?
C. Denninger 5 Reputation points

2026-02-17T17:57:54.12+00:00

Maybe this will help your parents: As far as I know, Windows 10 security updates after October 2025 can be extended for one year under certain conditions like:

Use Winnows 10 with a connected private Microsoft-account (not work- or school-accounts). You can check this here.

Windows 10 must be version 22H2 with all the optional updates like KB5066198.
The windows version can be checked by running WinVer.exe (use the key-combination Windows-key+R and type WINVER.exe in the appearing window. Then press "OK" to run it).

The one extended year update is not available for Windows 10 Enterprise. Windows 10 Home, Pro and Education versions should have no problem if they are the right 22H2 version.

The offer seems to be only available for European consumers.
Search the internet for more information, there could be problems with proxy and VPN-connections.

More precise information can be found here at Microsoft's Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU).

Good luck!

Astrid & Olivier 0 Reputation points

2026-02-19T09:28:39.69+00:00

Thanks for the answer, I already updated their windows 10 but that's only until October this year. What do they do afterwards? The computers are too old to move to windows 11 and they don't need new ones just to write ten emails per week and browse once a day.

I could install Linux although there's a bit of maintenance afterwards or they'll switch to tablets.

Dee_Start 5 Reputation points

2026-02-24T17:54:32.75+00:00

I was told the same thing that one of my User Accounts was corrupt- only it didn't fix the issue at all by creating a new Standard Account. There must be some reason why only my Administrator account (which I rarely use) is the only fully functional account.

My laptop is less than six months old, and never had any other OS than Windows 11, so I could not switch to an earlier OS. I also had an issue with the Edge browser (hence their explanation about a corrupt account, which I don't believe to be the case) and I don't have any issues with any non-Microsoft browser or app.

Microsoft needs to start over with their OS.
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.
Dee_Start 5 Reputation points

2026-02-24T17:52:32.2566667+00:00

I have gone through Tech Support with this multiple times and it never gets fixed. Once it seemed to work for awhile then reverted back to the blue Microsoft Bloom default. Why is this such a problem? It seems like it should be such a minor, easily fixable issue but it's this 20 steps to fix temporarily aggravation.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.
Anonimous 30 Reputation points

2026-04-06T08:55:29.97+00:00

Do you use a local account in Windows and OneDrive? If so, it’s almost certainly a known bug. In that case, the known online workarounds and fixes won’t work. The best thing to do is report the bug in the Feedback Hub. Hopefully, it will be picked up, and Microsoft will develop a fix that will be rolled out in one of the upcoming Windows Updates.
Was this answer helpful?
C. Denninger 5 Reputation points

2026-04-14T05:21:42.1266667+00:00

Like I stated at Feb 17, 2026, 6:12 PM: I reported this at all the feedback hubs I could find.
It is April 14 now and there is still no response...
https://aka.ms/AA8iflt | https://aka.ms/AAt4ceb | https://aka.ms/AAaslmf | https://aka.ms/AAz1ary | https://aka.ms/AAzt31k | https://aka.ms/AAztamk | https://aka.ms/AAzt31p | https://aka.ms/AAzt31t | https://aka.ms/AAztic7 | https://aka.ms/AAztamr | https://aka.ms/AAzticc

Note: you have to open them in Feedback-hub in Windows (the browser will ask you to).

Anonimous 30 Reputation points

2026-04-14T08:23:09.97+00:00

If you use a local account in Windows, a very good workaround (practically a solution) for the Spotlight bug was recently posted at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5616116/windows-spotlight?comment=answer-12372478&page=1#comment-2611056 (see the post of Danilo Bonamoneta).

As for the bug itself, I think we’ll just have to be patient. Another factor is that Microsoft discourages the use of a local account in windows, so it’s questionable how much priority they’ll give to fixing a bug related to that.

C. Denninger 5 Reputation points

2026-04-16T13:00:56.86+00:00

Thanks!

I'm not using a local account in Windows. My main account is my personal online Microsoft account and I use different accounts for work/school (maybe part of Mircosoft's problem lies there?).

So this workaround won't fix the issue for me but maybe someone else is helped with it 👍🏻

Regarding Microsoft's response time: I don't give it much hope. They simply don't respond to this kind of bugs.
Hey, they have the monopoly on this operating system and use it likewise 🤐

Anonimous 30 Reputation points

2026-04-16T15:00:14.7433333+00:00

In your case, I’d suggest trying the following command: Get-AppxPackage *ContentDeliveryManager* | Reset-AppxPackage

It rebuilds the Windows Spotlight Lock Screen Feature (folders and files). I came across it while searching for possible solutions. You’ll need to be patient afterward (24–48 hours) to let everything settle back into place. If this doesn’t help, I’d consider doing a clean install of Windows.
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.
C. Denninger 5 Reputation points

2026-09-04T07:48:30.55+00:00

Since the July/August 2026 Windows 11 (Dutch) system update Spotlight (in Windows lock-screen) works again. Note: I did not test the Windows background.

So it wasn't the use of a local account, nor corruption of an account nor several other things and steps in these posts. In short: It wasn't us. It was indeed a bug in Microsoft's programming and they finally fixed it!

Thanks for non-acknowledging this @Microsoft and all the help and suggestions of everyone else here!

Now this bug is finally fixed these feedbacks can be finally closed: https://aka.ms/AA8iflt | https://aka.ms/AAt4ceb | https://aka.ms/AAaslmf | https://aka.ms/AAz1ary | https://aka.ms/AAzt31k | https://aka.ms/AAztamk | https://aka.ms/AAzt31p | https://aka.ms/AAzt31t | https://aka.ms/AAztic7 | https://aka.ms/AAztamr | https://aka.ms/AAzticc
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.

My Windows Spotlight isn't working

9 answers

Your answer