In Windows 10, What Happened to Multi-Monitor Wallpaper Settings?

Choosing a different wallpaper photo for each of your displays was easy not so long ago, as Windows® 8 allowed this with a simple right-click on images from the Personalization section in the Control Panel.

Now, Windows® 10 has hidden these settings. Although you can open File Explorer and select an image for each monitor, not only do these images already have to be in the same folder, but Windows automatically switches the two images from one monitor to the other every 30 minutes.

Here’s how to permanently set different background images for multiple screens within Windows 10, without having them jump around to different monitors. These instructions also come in handy if you have three or more displays:

  • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run window
  • Type or copy/paste:
    control /name Microsoft.Personalization /page pageWallpaper
  • Hit Enter

You should now see the Control Panel >> Personalization >> Desktop Background section of the Control Panel. This section was readily visible in Windows 8, but you won’t find it by navigating around in the Control Panel or Settings menus in Windows 10.

From here you can either select desktop images from the ones shown or browse for others on your PC. To start from scratch selecting new images, uncheck any images that are currently checked. Next:

  • Right-click the image you want on your first monitor and select Set for monitor 1
  • Right-click the image you want on your second monitor and select Set for monitor 2
  • Repeat in this way until you have selected images for each of your monitors
  • Click Save changes

You will now see these images in place on each of your multiple monitors exactly as you’ve assigned them. Simply type control /name Microsoft.Personalization /page pageWallpaper from the Run command window to revisit your wallpaper settings at any time.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

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What is iolo's Whole Home License?

The Whole Home License® is iolo’s licensing policy that allows you to install and keep your software running on all of your compatible devices within the same home. Previously, users were allowed to install and license their iolo software simultaneously on a maximum of three PCs. Under the Whole Home License, a single activation key allows you to use your iolo software on all of your PCs, other than any PCs you use for business purposes. What you need to know about Whole Home Licensing

  • You, your spouse, and your relatives living within the same household may use the same license on any number of PCs that you own which are not used for business.
  • For full legal terms and conditions, see https://www.iolo.com/company/legal/eula/

To install your iolo product on additional PCs:

  1. On the additional computer, download the latest version of your iolo product. Choose from the list of downloads offered here.
  2. Follow the steps in the installation wizard, and enter the same Activation Key that you used to install on your original computer.

You can view the Activation Key on the original computer from within System Mechanic > red menu bar > key icon > Activation Key.