Background - Show Image or Solid Color in Windows 8 or 8.1

Brink · Aug 14, 2013

Set Desktop, Lock, and Start Background to Show Image or Solid Color in Windows 8 and 8.1

Information

This tutorial will show you how to set your desktop, lock screen, and Start screen background to show either an image or solid color in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Note

If Windows background is set to show solid color:

Your desktop background will only show as the solid color (ex: black) you set instead of the set image.
Your Start screen background in both Start and Apps view will only show the Start background color you set instead of the set image.
The Start background image Personalize settings will be grayed out to where you will not be able to change the Start background image.
Your lock screen background will only show as a solid color instead of the set image.

OPTION ONE

Show Color or Image for Windows 8/8.1 Background in Control Panel

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Ease of Access Center icon.

2. Click/tap on the Make the computer easier to see link. (see screenshot below)

3. Do step 4 or 5 below for what you would like to do.

4. To Show Image for Your Windows Background

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Uncheck the Remove background images (where available) box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) If you like, you can change the desktop background, lock screen background, and Start background to any image you like.

C) Go to step 6 below.

5. To Show Color for Your Windows Background

A) Check the Remove background images (where available) box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) If you like, you can change the desktop background to any solid color you like.

C) If you like, you can change the Start background color to any color you like.

D) Go to step 6 below.

6. You can now close Ease of Access Center if you like.

OPTION TWO

To Show Color or Image for Windows 8.1 Background in PC settings

1. Open PC settings, and click/tap on Ease of Access on the left side. (see screenshot below)

2. Click/tap on Other options on the left side of "Ease of Access", and do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)

3. To Show Image for Your Windows Background

NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Under Show Windows background on the right side of "Other options", move the slider to the left to turn it off. (see screenshot below step 2)

B) If you like, you can change the desktop background, lock screen background, and Start background to any image you like.

C) Go to step 5 below.

4. To Show Color for Your Windows Background

A) Under Show Windows background on the right side of "Other options", move the slider to the right to turn it on. (see screenshot below step 2)

B) If you like, you can change the desktop background to any solid color you like. (see screenshot below)

C) If you like, you can change the Start background color to any color you like. (see screenshot below)

D) Go to step 5 below.

5. You can now close PC settings if you like.

That's it,
Shawn

Background - Show Image or Solid Color in Windows 8 or 8.1

Show Color or Image for Windows 8/8.1 Background in Control Panel

To Show Color or Image for Windows 8.1 Background in PC settings

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