What’s new with spotlight tool on your Windows 11 desktop?

The default position may be moving in the future

2 min. read

Updated onFebruary 8, 2024

updated onFebruary 8, 2024

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Key notes

Microsoft always continues to improve. Whether it’s performance or security updates, you can always expect the tech giant to revamp its beloved operating system Windows 11.

Features and improvements are constantly being tested on the Windows Insider program before its general availability. So, inWindows 11 Insider Build 25309, Microsoft is trying something new with the desktop spotlight feature.

As spotted by Windows enthusiast@PhantomOnEarth, Windows 11 is trying out different default positions for the desktop spotlight icon (bottom right, bottom middle, bottom left). By default, the feature is living on the top right of your desktop screen but things may be changing in the future.

“A desktop spotlight experiment not mentioned in the blog post is rolling out – different default positions for the icon (bottom right, bottom middle, bottom left)

(vivetool /enable /id:41861575 – optionally add /variant:X and replace X with 2 or 3 for a different variant)”

The update doesn’t stop there. As spotted by Windows enthusiast @techosarusrex, the desktop spotlight gets a new look on Build 25324 from the Canary channel. You can see the screenshots below.

Hidden in 25324: the new Desktop Spotlight UI has been updated. Could be reintroduced in a future build.thanks to@techosarusrexpic.twitter.com/nSwt78mD2h

And, as spotted by the same insider from the recentBuild 23466(Dev channel), this spotlight feature is getting neat little animations within its UI, so that’s good news.

The new Desktop Spotlight experience now has an animation in 23466 when switching between images, neat. No extra ID required, you just need to have the new Spotlight UIpic.twitter.com/s84PnmRdto

What is Windows spotlight on desktop?

Windows spotlight feature on the desktop allows the system to constantly change your wallpaper to some of the freshest looks from around the world.

First introduced in Windows 10, the feature brings out a nice accentual change to your screen. It may not seem too much, but if you’re working on your desktop for hours, it can be pleasing to the eyes.

After clickingLearn about this picture, a Microsoft Edge window will open with more details about the scenery from the web.

Some users, however, may find it annoying, and rightfully so. Some even reported thatit’s been plagued by a few errors, and we’ve prepared simple guides for you here.

In the meantime, it’s still worth noting that being an insider-only feature that isn’t out for primetime yet, you may be running into some performance problems here and there, so, patience is a virtue.

Are you excited about this upcoming feature? Let us know in the comments!

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What’s new with spotlight tool on your Windows 11 desktop?#

What is Windows spotlight on desktop?#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

What’s new with spotlight tool on your Windows 11 desktop?

What is Windows spotlight on desktop?