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Where Are the Windows Lock Screen Images Stored?

Today's post is not about software development. I like interesting pictures and the Spotlight images used in the lock screen of Windows 10 are often so interesting that I like to keep them for longer. Those images are stored on your computer, you only need to find them - but where?

The location of the Spotlight images

The quickly changing background and lock screen images can be found in this folder: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets (do not forget to replace USERNAME with the name you use to log-in). The images are not recognisable as such when you open the folder:

The folder is full of cryptic names

If you see no such files, make sure that your Windows File Explorer shows hidden items.

Copy the newest images to a different folder and add .jpg as the file extension. With that little change Windows recognises those files as images. All you have to do is to scroll through them and find the one you want to keep.

With jpg as its ending, we can now see that the files are images

Windows 10 default images

The default images for Windows 10 you see at your first login are located under C:\Windows\Web. There are 3 folders containing these images:

  • 4K
  • Screen
  • Wallpaper

Conclusion

The next time a great image pops up at your lock screen, you know where to find it on your computer. All you need to do is to copy it to a more permanent location.