How to change the wallpaper automatically based on the time of day in Windows

Personalizing our Windows computer goes far beyond choosing a simple wallpaper. Many users like their desktop to change throughout the day, automatically displaying different images depending on the time of day or the moment. If you've ever wondered how to achieve this effect without having to manually change the background, this article is just what you need.

In the following sections, we'll explore in detail all the ways to automatically change the background in Windows based on the time of day. We will review the native functions that have arrived in Windows 10 and, above all, Windows 11, in addition to the best free applications that make this task easier, and we will also see more advanced options for those who need total control over the programmingThis way, you can decide which one best suits your daily routine and tastes.

Why change the wallpaper based on the time?

Wallpaper not only decorates the desktop; it can also influence our mood, help us distinguish contexts (work, leisure, nighttime, etc.), or simply make time in front of the computer more pleasant. Change it automatically depending on the time It can provide freshness, motivation, and even improve the user experience at home or in the office. It's a highly valued feature, especially for those who spend long hours in front of a screen.

Automatically change the wallpaper in Windows: Built-in options

Windows Spotlight for Windows 11

Since one of the most recent Windows 11 updates, Microsoft has provided the system with a native feature called Spotlight. This feature Integrates Bing's popular daily image system directly into the Windows 11 desktop, without having to resort to external applications.

To activate Spotlight, just go to the Settings app:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Customize now.
2. Sign in Background and look for the option Customize the background.
3. Choose Featured Windows content in the box.

From that moment on, your background will automatically change with images selected by Microsoft, which are usually high quality and feature a variety of themes (landscapes, art, architecture, etc.). Some of these images also include information and interesting facts, accessible with a simple click on the icon located in the upper right corner of the desktop.Although this icon may be intrusive to some, future updates plan to integrate it into the taskbar or remove it, providing a cleaner environment.

Automatically change background in older versions: Bing Wallpaper

If you still use Windows 10 or even Windows 7/8, the simplest and most official option is the application BingWallpaperThis small, free utility from Microsoft lets you enjoy daily images from the Bing search engine on your desktop just by installing it.

How do I install and use Bing Wallpaper?

1. Download the application from the Microsoft official page.
2. During installation, you'll be given the option to make Bing your default search engine and homepage in all your browsers. You can uncheck these options if you don't want them., the application will work the same.
3. Once installed, the application runs in the background and takes care of change the wallpaper every day automatically by Bing Daily Image.

Bing Wallpaper can also modify the lock screen in Windows 10, although this feature is optional and can be easily disabled from Personalization > Lock Screen.

A Bing Wallpaper icon will appear in the taskbar. from which you can:

• Return to previous funds if the current fund doesn't suit you.
• Check the information about the image's author and location (most are from Getty Images).
• Access the settings to change the language, image folder, change interval (hourly, daily, or weekly), or if you want to start the app with the system.

It is worth remembering that if at any time you want to return to a fixed background, you just have to right click on the image you want and choose Use as wallpaperIf Bing Wallpaper is still installed, you'll likely receive a notification urging you to restore the app-managed wallpaper, though you can ignore it or uninstall the app if you prefer.

Other apps to change the background automatically based on time

Bing Wallpaper and Spotlight are perfect if you're happy with Microsoft images and a daily or periodic change system, but there are much more flexible alternatives. for those who wish customize the background based on specific times, choose your own images, or even integrate external services like Flickr, Instagram or photography RSS.

John's Background Switcher

This veteran free application (with versions for Windows and Mac) allows you to schedule wallpaper changes at customizable intervals and select images from multiple sources:

• Local folders on your computer
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Flickr
• Photography RSS and other online sources

Installation is simple and once configured, you can define the change interval (every hour, every certain number of minutes, etc.) and even create rules to assign images to specific time slots during the day. This is a very powerful option for the most demanding users.

Wally

Wally is another free alternative that allows you to rotate wallpapers using images from popular services like Flickr, Yahoo, Pikeo, or Photobucket. As with John's Background Switcher, you can choose local folders or multiple online sources, and set the switching interval to your liking. The interface is simple and consumes minimal resources.

Both options are more flexible than the official solutions, especially if you want complete control over which image to display and when. They require more initial setup, but offer more customization.

Advanced solutions for changing the background at precise times

If you're an advanced user looking to automate your equipment down to the last detail, there are ways to change the background at a specific time or based on environmental conditions (sunlight, location, etc.).To do this, you can use Windows scripts and scheduled tasks, or third-party automation applications.

Automation with scheduled tasks and scripts

Windows allows you to schedule tasks to run commands or applications at specific times:

1. Prepare several images (for example, “morning.jpg”, “afternoon.jpg”, and “night.jpg”) and save them in a folder.
2. Create a batch file (.bat) or use PowerShell with the following command for each image:
   Powershell.exe -command "Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Control Panel\Desktop' -Name wallpaper -Value 'ruta\a\imagen.jpg';RUNDLL32.EXE user32.dll,UpdatePerUserSystemParameters"
3. The windows task scheduler, create a task for each time of day (for example: 8:00, 14:00, 21:00) and assign it the script or .bat file.

This way, the background will change exactly at the intervals you decide. While it's not the easiest method, it offers total customization without installing additional software.

Other ways to customize your wallpaper in Windows

In addition to the above applications and methods, Windows has long allowed Select an image directory to have the background automatically change randomly, although this feature doesn't discriminate by time. To set it up:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Customize now.
2. In section Background, choose Presentation in the drop-down menu and select the folder with your favorite images.
3. Adjust the change interval (every minute, every 10 minutes, every hour…).

This feature is useful if you are happy with frequent, random changes, although does not allow associating images with specific times.

Advantages and limitations of each method

The choice of one method or another depends on your needs and knowledge. If you just want beautiful, automatic backgrounds without any hassle, the built-in options (Spotlight, Bing Wallpaper) are ideal. If you prefer a background for each time of day or using your own photos (or from online services), it's a good idea to use advanced apps like John's Background Switcher o Wally or create custom scripts.

Modular Homes's Official applications are easy to install and require little maintenance, but they offer fewer customization options. More advanced options offer complete control, although they require more upfront dedication and maintenance if your needs or equipment change.

How do I disable automatic background change?

If at any time you want to have a fixed fund again, simply manually select an image by right-clicking and selecting "Set as Wallpaper". Please note that if you keep Bing Wallpaper or another app running in the background, it may restore the automatic background and show you a notification. You can disable the app from its icon or uninstall it from Settings > Apps.

For Spotlight (Windows 11), simply go back to Personalization > Background and select Image o Presentation instead of Featured Windows content.