In general, most regular users find the need to delete Desktop background images, in order to remove personal photos that were used as Desktop and Lock Screen Background images on the computer.
In the case of offices, businesses and other places of work, Administrators routinely find the need to remove desktop background images, in order to ensure consistency, branding and appropriateness.
Delete Desktop Background Images
The steps to delete background images can vary, depending on whether you are trying to delete System Wallpapers that came pre-loaded with the computer or Photos used as Desktop Background Images.
You can find below the steps to delete System Background Wallpapers and also other Photos that were used as Desktop or Lock Screen Background Images on the computer.
1. Delete Desktop Background Photos
If you had set a personal photo as the Desktop background image on your computer, it should be located in the same location from which it was originally selected.
In most cases, the steps as provided below should lead you to the Folder in which the Desktop background photo/photos are located. If not, you should be able to navigate to the correct location.
1. Right-click in an Empty Space on the Desktop and click on Personalize.
2. On the Personalization screen, click on the Background tab.
3. On the next screen, expand Personalize your background tab (if it is closed) and click on Browse photos.
4. On the next screen, right-click on the Desktop background photo that you want to remove and click on the Delete option.
Note: If the photo that you just deleted is the current Desktop Background Image, you will continue to see the same photo in Desktop background, until you Switch to another Desktop Background Image.
5. If that is the case, right-click on any Empty Space on the Desktop and click on Personalize.
6. On the next screen, click on the Down-Arrow in Personalize your background section and select Solid color.
After switching to Solid color, you can switch back to Photos and select another stock wallpaper or select any other photo as the desktop background on your computer.
2. Delete Desktop Background Wallpapers (System Images)
The Desktop background wallpapers that came pre-loaded with the computer are stored in the “Wallpaper” Folder and they can be easily accessed by using File Explorer.
1. Open the File Explorer on your computer.
2. From the File Explorer screen, navigate to C:\Windows\Web and double-click on the Wallpaper Folder.
Note: You can also access the Wallpaper Folder by typing “C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper” in Windows Search bar.
3. In the ‘Wallpaper’ Folder, you will see other Folders containing System Desktop Background images.
4. To Delete any System Desktop Background image, right-click on the Image and select the Delete option.
The selected Desktop background image will be deleted and moved to the Recycle Bin on your computer.
3. Delete Lock screen Background Images
You can delete the Lock Screen background images on your compter by following the steps below.
1. Right-click in an Empty Space on the Desktop and click on Personalize.
2. On the Personalization screen, click on the Lock screen tab.
3. On the next screen, expand Personalise your lock screen tab (if it is not open) and click on Browse photos button.
4. On the next screen, right-click on the Photo that you want to delete and click on the Delete option in the right-click menu.
4. Delete Desktop Background Images Using Registry
If there are multiple previously used background images on the computer, you can delete them individually and also in groups by using Registry Editor.
1. Press Windows + R keys > Type regedit and press the Enter key.
2. From the Registry Editor screen, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers
In the Wallpapers Folder, you will find Background images listed as BackgroundHistoryPath followed by numbers (0, 1, 2 to N).
3. Right-click on the BackgroundHistoryPath image that you want to delete and click on the Delete option.
As mentioned above, you can also select multiple or all the Background images and delete them at once.