Unable to select “slideshow” for personalizing my desktop theme:

Question

Unable to select “slideshow” for personalizing my desktop theme:

Dorothy Ragan 0

The moment that I select “Slideshow”, it automatically goes back to “Picture”.

It seems that every time an update is done in my computer, it seems to mess up my settings for my Desktop “Personalization”. Now it won't let me choose the "Slideshow" option, it just automatically chooses the "Picture" option. I want to select a “Folder” (for a slideshow) stored on my computer, not just one picture.

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Why is this happening? How can this problem be fixed?

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Emma1-N 12,030 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Dorothy Ragan,

I understand how frustrating it can be when when you select Slideshow under Personalization > Background, Windows immediately switches back to Picture, preventing you from choosing a folder of images.

Before proceeding, could you please confirm:

Does the issue occur on only one Windows user account or all accounts on the PC?
Did this start immediately after a recent Windows update?

In the meantime, you can try these steps below to troubleshoot the issue:

Option 1: Check slideshow power settings

Open Control Panel > Power Options
Select Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings
Expand Desktop background settings
Ensure Slide show is set to Available

Option 2: Check accessibility settings

Open Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects
Turn off Animation effects
Restart the PC and test again

Option 3: Rebuild personalization settings

Open Settings > Personalization > Background.
Select Solid color
Sign out and sign back in
Return and try selecting Slideshow again

Option 4; Run System File Checker

Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Run: sfc /scannow
After the scan completes, restart Windows

I hope the steps above help you deal with your issue.

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Dorothy Ragan 0 Reputation points

2026-07-28T16:00:41.81+00:00
Before proceeding, could you please confirm:

Does the issue occur on only one Windows user account or all accounts on the PC? All - although, there's only one user account on my PC

Did this start immediately after a recent Windows update? Yes
Dorothy Ragan 0 Reputation points

2026-07-28T16:02:21.2433333+00:00

Does the issue occur on only one Windows user account or all accounts on the PC? All - although, there's only one user account on my PC

Did this start immediately after a recent Windows update? Yes
Dorothy Ragan 0 Reputation points

2026-07-28T16:42:01.2566667+00:00
I tried all of them. When I tried the last one, I got a message: You must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc utility. How do I do this? Nevermind. I found out! Found it here:

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, and right-click or press and hold Command Prompt from the list of results. Select Run as administrator, and then select Yes⁠.⁠
Dorothy Ragan 0 Reputation points

2026-07-28T18:37:53.2866667+00:00

I'm sorry. Those didn't work. I guess I'll just have to live with one photo on my desktop. But thank you for trying.
Emma1-N 12,030 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-29T07:28:41+00:00
Hello Dorothy Ragan,

Please check the step: In place repair

In-place upgrade is a process wherein it will upgrade the device to the latest version and repair many issues without deleting any files. Usually, it is used to repair corrupted system files, apps, and even incompatible drivers on the system.

Go to Windows 11 website: Download Windows 11

Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)

Once done downloading the ISO, kindly right-click on ISO then click Mount> then Click Setup.exe

You may be prompted by User Account Control. If so, click on Yes.

In the Install Windows 11 dialog, click Next.

Setup will check your PC and show a license agreement. Click on Accept in the license terms dialog.

Wait for the setup program to check for the available free space.

On the Ready to install page, make sure Keep personal files and apps has been checked.

Then click Install and just follow the prompt.

Windows 11 will restart your device several times and lead you to the lock screen. Depending on the options you set, it will keep all your files, apps, and user accounts.
Emma1-N 12,030 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-30T06:52:04.92+00:00

Hello Dorothy Ragan,

Is there anything update from you? Please let me know, I will be here to assist you.

Answer 2

CrazyKats 19,245 Volunteer Moderator

Hi,

Just throwing this out there since

I've never used Slideshow, but does

Slideshow work with a Folder that's

on your One Drive?

To me it would have to be in a folder

that's in File Explorer, Pictures.

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