Disable the desktop Spotlight theme provider
The DWORD value `0` marks the Windows spotlight theme provider as disabled for the desktop configuration stored in `HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT`.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKU\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowsSpotlight
The DWORD value 0 marks the Windows spotlight theme provider as disabled for the desktop configuration stored in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT. Windows spotlight is therefore not used as the desktop background provider in this registry context, so the desktop does not receive Microsoft's daily images through that provider.
This value does not disable every Windows spotlight feature. In particular, it does not by itself turn off Windows spotlight on the lock screen, tips, suggestions, or organizational messages.
Notes
Possible side effects
The automatic rotation of the desktop background by Windows spotlight does not occur in the affected context. The background shown instead depends on the remaining theme and desktop-background settings.
Notes
Microsoft does not document WindowsSpotlight at this registry location as a public policy setting and provides no authoritative version or value reference for it. In particular, this value is not equivalent to the Turn off Spotlight collection on Desktop policy. That policy uses a different registry location and can prevent Spotlight collection from appearing as an available choice in Personalization settings.
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT is also not the registry hive of an already signed-in user. This value consequently does not directly modify the corresponding settings in user profiles loaded under HKEY_USERS\‹SID› and does not establish an enforced restriction for those users.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Learn: Configure Windows spotlight
Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP – Experience (AllowSpotlightCollection)
Microsoft Learn: Predefined Keys