On Windows 10, the Lock screen is the experience that you always see before signing in to your account, and while it may seem like something unnecessary, it provides some useful functionalities, even before accessing the desktop.
For example, in the Lock screen, you can see the current date and time, show calendar events, and notifications from other apps. You can also interact with Cortana, showcase your favorite background images, personal pictures, and beautiful images from Bing using Windows Spotlight.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to customize and get the most out of the Lock screen experience.
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How to customize background in the Lock screen
Windows 10 allows you to customize the look of the Lock screen using the Windows Spotlight service, a single picture, or you can even showcase a collection of images from one or multiple folders.
Using Windows Spotlight
Spotlight is a feature that connects with Bing to download and set new background images automatically to keep the experience fresh every time you have to sign in to Windows 10. You can enable the feature using these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Click on Lock screen.
Use the 'Background' drop-down menu, and select the Windows Spotlight option.
Once you've completed the steps, the Lock screen will now include a new image every time that you sign in to your account.
If you're having problems getting Spotlight to work, you can use this guide to troubleshoot and fix most common issues.
Using a single image
If you want to see always a particular image, you can customize the Lock screen to display a single image with these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Click on Lock screen.
- Use the 'Background' drop-down menu, and select the Picture option.
Click the Browse button to locate the image you want to use.
In addition, you may want to turn off the Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana on your lock screen toggle switch to get a cleaner experience.
Using image collection
Alternatively, you can use the following steps to showcase a collection of images from one or multiple folders in the Lock screen:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Click on Lock screen.
Use the 'Background' drop-down menu, and select the Slideshow option.
- Select the Pictures item.
- Click the Remove item.
Click the Add a folder button.
Quick Tip: Using this option, you can add one or more folders with images.
- Browse the location of the folder with images that you want to showcase in the Lock screen.
- Select the folder.
Click the Choose this folder button.
If you want to customize the experience further, click the Advanced slideshow settings option, and select enable or disable the options that you want to use while showing a collection of photos in the Lock screen, including:
- Include Camera Roll folders from this PC and OneDrive: In addition to the folders you selected, turning on this toggle switch, the Lock screen will also display images stored in your Camera Roll and OneDrive Camera Roll folders, which usually include the photos from your phone and other devices.
- Only use pictures that fit my screen: If you have multiple sizes of images in the folder, only those that will fit the screen will be displayed.
- When my PC is inactive, show lock screen instead of turning off the screen: This option is similar to setting up a screensaver on Windows 10. In addition, you can use the drop-down menu to specify when to turn off the screen after the slideshow played for a period of time.
Finally, you may also want to turn off the Get fun facts, tips, and more from Windows and Cortana on your lock screen toggle switch to get a cleaner experience.
How to customize apps notifications in the Lock screen
The Lock screen is also capable of showing notifications from apps. Using this feature, you can set a single app to display detailed notifications, and you can show quick notifications for multiple apps.
Setting app detailed status
To set an app to show detailed status, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Click on Lock screen.
Under 'Choose an app to show detailed status' section, click the Plus (+) button to select the app you want to see more details in the Lock screen. (Using the None option will disable this feature.)
Once you've completed the steps, notifications with detailed information from the app that you specified will appear in the bottom-left corner of the Lock screen.
Setting apps quick status
To set one or more apps to show the number of unseen updates, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Click on Lock screen.
Under 'Choose an app to show quick status' section, click the Plus (+) button to select the app you want to see more details in the Lock screen. (Using the None option removes the item from the experience.)
- Repeat step No.4 to configure quick notifications for additional apps (up to 7).
After completing the steps, in the bottom-left corner of the screen, you'll see icons with badges letting you know the number of unseen updates for each application that you configured to appear in the Lock screen.
How to disable the Lock screen background in the sign-in screen
Using the Lock screen settings, you can even decide if the Sign-in screen uses the same background image as the Lock screen:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Click on Lock screen.
Turn off the Show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen toggle switch.
Once you've completed the steps, the sign-in screen will no longer include the same image as the Lock screen. Instead, it'll show a solid color background from the current scheme configured in the Personalization settings.
How to allow Cortana above the Lock screen
If your device is equipped with a microphone, you can also use Cortana while in the Lock screen to query basic questions. Here's how:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Click on Lock screen.
Click the Cortana lock screen settings option.
Under the Lock screen section, turn on the Use Cortana even when my device is locked toggle switch.
- (Optional) Check the Let Cortana access my calendar, email, messages, and Power BI data when my device is locked option.
After completing the steps, you can say the command 'Hey Cortana' followed by your question, such as 'How's the weather?' to interact with the assistant in the Lock screen.
How to set screen timeout in the Lock screen
Also, if you always lock your device as you step out of the office using Dynamic lock or manually (Windows key + L), it's also possible to set the time before the screen turns off automatically. Here's how:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Personalization.
- Click on Lock screen.
Click the Screen timeout settings option.
Use the 'Screen' drop-down menu to specify when your display should turn off when the device is plugged in.
Quick Tip: If you're changing these settings on a laptop, you'll also see the option to adjust the screen settings when your computer is running on battery.
Once you've completed the steps, the screen will turn off automatically after the device is not active for the amount of time you specified.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Recorded November 22 2019On this week's podcast ... Surface Earbuds, Cortana mobile, and more
We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Windows 10 20H1inches closer to reality with a new build in the Fast ring. Cortana mobile apps are going away for users in most markets, except for the United States. The release of Surface Earbuds has been delayed until Spring 2020, possibly to address their value compared to other Bluetooth earbuds?
Windows 10 Mobile offers different options to sign into your phone as the first line of defense against prying eyes. If you're a Windows Phone user, you already know two locking mechanisms: the standard PIN password and Windows Hello, which is a new feature that uses iris scanner as a form of authentication.
However, Microsoft also offers a third method to lock your phone, which is a 6-digit PIN feature that can be enabled through your Microsoft Account online{.nofollow}, and allows you to lock your phone remotely.
The main reason for this third locking mechanism is to add an extra layer of security if your phone ever gets lost or stolen. While you can configure Windows Hello, which is very secure, anyone can still have access to the Lock screen and guess your PIN -- even more likely if the device falls into the hands of someone you know. Additionally, if for any reason you get locked out of your phone, you can also set a 6-digit PIN remotely to unlock the device without having to wait hours before trying again.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to set a 6-digit PIN to lock your phone and how to go back to your original PIN once you regain physical control of the device.
How to secure your Windows 10 Mobile phone using a 6-digit PIN
- Open your web browser and access your Microsoft Account with the credentials you're using on your phone.
On Your devices, click the Find my phone link for the device you want to lock remotely.
On the Find My Phone page, click the Lock button.
Enter the 6-digit PIN you want to use.
Note: Keep in mind that a new 6-digit PIN is all you need for the feature to work, but you can also include a phone number where you can be reached. You can also add a message of up to 160 characters that will appear on the Lock screen.
- Click the Lock button to complete.
Now your mobile device will lock immediately, and anyone trying to sign in will see a pop-up message with your custom text and call back number. (Only you with the new PIN will be able to unlock the phone.)
How to revert to your original PIN password on Windows 10 Mobile
Once you set a 6-digit PIN to lock your phone remotely, it will become your PIN to unlock your phone every time you want to sign in. If you want to go back to your original PIN, you will need to change your sign-in options in the Settings app.
- Open the Settings app on your Windows 10 Mobile phone.
Tap Accounts.
Tap Sign-in options.
Under PIN, tap Change.
Enter your current 6-digit PIN password in the first field, then enter and confirm your new PIN, and tap OK.
Now you should be able to lock and unlock your Windows 10 Mobile phone using your original PIN.
It's important to note that you don't need an active phone line, as long the device is connected to the internet, you'll be able to lock it. Additionally, Microsoft will send you an email letting you know your device has been locked with the 6-digit PIN in case you forget it.
The 6-digit PIN is not only useful when your phone gets lost or stolen, but it can come in handy in certain other scenarios too. For example, it could happen that after installing the latest preview of Windows 10 Mobile and hard resetting it, or you tried to sign in too many times, you'll get greeted with a message that reads: 'This device has been locked for security reasons. Connect your device to the power source for at least two hours, and then try again.' Instead of waiting, you can use the instructions above to set a new PIN and unlock your phone.
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More resources
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Recorded November 22 2019Windows 8 Lock Screen Wallpapers
On this week's podcast ... Surface Earbuds, Cortana mobile, and more
Screen Lock Download For Windows Phone Free
We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Windows 10 20H1inches closer to reality with a new build in the Fast ring. Cortana mobile apps are going away for users in most markets, except for the United States. The release of Surface Earbuds has been delayed until Spring 2020, possibly to address their value compared to other Bluetooth earbuds?