Windows 11 backgrounds are finally joining the modern era.
January 22, 2026
Your Windows 11 desktop is poised for a subtle yet intriguing transformation, one that may not be immediately visible to the eye. The latest Windows Insider build, 26220.7653, introduces the ability to set .webp images as your desktop background, a feature now accessible through the Beta Channel. While this update may seem minor, it opens the door to a discussion about the WebP file format and its potential advantages.
WebP, as its name suggests, was crafted for the web, offering a blend of quality and compression that many find appealing. Major browsers such as Firefox, Edge, and Safari support this format, but it’s important to note that not all software is as accommodating. For instance, legacy applications may struggle with WebP files, and even viewing them on your PC can present challenges. The Peek feature in PowerToys only added WebP support in April 2024, and Adobe Photoshop didn’t fully embrace the format until 2022, requiring older versions to utilize a plugin.
So, why would one opt to use a WebP image as a desktop background on Windows 11? The primary advantage lies in compatibility. Images saved from the web that display seamlessly in your browser may encounter issues in other applications if they are in WebP format. However, this concern is alleviated when using these images as backgrounds, as Windows 11 now accommodates them without hassle.
Build 26220.7653: Changes and Improvements
Account Settings
The design of dialogs in “Accounts > Other Users” has been refreshed, now utilizing the modern WinUI framework and supporting dark mode. It’s worth noting that the visibility of this dialog option is contingent upon whether a domain-joined work or school account is configured on the device.
Click to Do
In the Click to Do feature, Copilot prompt suggestions will now load instantly. However, this enhancement is not yet available to Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area or China.
Desktop Background
Users can now set .webp images as their desktop background by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Desktop Background.
Fixes Gradually Being Rolled Out
Taskbar and System Tray
Resolved an issue where the taskbar, when set to autohide, would appear unexpectedly, obstructing app usage at the bottom of the screen.
Addressed a problem that occasionally prevented the Start menu, notification center, and quick settings from opening with a click, although keyboard shortcuts remained functional.
Fixed a memory leak associated with opening the Start menu, which could lead to performance degradation over time.
Corrected an issue for Arabic and Hebrew users where the Start menu would open on the incorrect side of the screen when taskbar icons were not centered.
Resolved a touch interaction issue that dismissed the Start menu when attempting to pan a folder of pinned apps.
Bluetooth
Fixed an issue that prevented the battery level of some Bluetooth devices from displaying for certain Insiders after the latest builds, despite the devices supporting this feature.
Xbox Full-Screen Experience for PC
This build addresses unexpected behaviors in apps and games when using the full-screen experience. The validation of scenarios continues, and the known issue remains active for now. Acknowledgment is extended to Insiders for their valuable feedback.
Login and Lock Screens
Fixed an issue that caused the password icon to appear blank on the login screen.
Settings
Resolved an issue causing Settings to crash when interacting with audio devices in the last two builds.
Corrected a discrepancy where the keyboard character repeat delay in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Keyboard was inconsistent with backend settings.
Other
Addressed several issues with clipped text in msinfo32 when using high display scaling.
Fixed an issue impacting some Insiders where clicking on .appinstaller files to install MSIX packages resulted in an invalid argument error.
Resolved an underlying issue that caused Notepad to fail to display an underscore in text with certain fonts at a 125% display setting.
Fixed an underlying issue that could cause explorer.exe to hang upon logging into the PC if specific apps were set as startup applications, potentially preventing the taskbar from appearing.
FAQ
How do I become a Windows Insider?
To join the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft provides a straightforward guide on its website. You can enroll using your Microsoft account and opt to receive Insider builds through the Settings app on Windows 11.
Where do you get your Windows 11 background images from? Let us know in the comments!
Windows 11 backgrounds are finally joining the modern era.
Your Windows 11 desktop is poised for a subtle yet intriguing transformation, one that may not be immediately visible to the eye. The latest Windows Insider build, 26220.7653, introduces the ability to set .webp images as your desktop background, a feature now accessible through the Beta Channel. While this update may seem minor, it opens the door to a discussion about the WebP file format and its potential advantages.
WebP, as its name suggests, was crafted for the web, offering a blend of quality and compression that many find appealing. Major browsers such as Firefox, Edge, and Safari support this format, but it’s important to note that not all software is as accommodating. For instance, legacy applications may struggle with WebP files, and even viewing them on your PC can present challenges. The Peek feature in PowerToys only added WebP support in April 2024, and Adobe Photoshop didn’t fully embrace the format until 2022, requiring older versions to utilize a plugin.
So, why would one opt to use a WebP image as a desktop background on Windows 11? The primary advantage lies in compatibility. Images saved from the web that display seamlessly in your browser may encounter issues in other applications if they are in WebP format. However, this concern is alleviated when using these images as backgrounds, as Windows 11 now accommodates them without hassle.
Build 26220.7653: Changes and Improvements
Account Settings
The design of dialogs in “Accounts > Other Users” has been refreshed, now utilizing the modern WinUI framework and supporting dark mode. It’s worth noting that the visibility of this dialog option is contingent upon whether a domain-joined work or school account is configured on the device.
Click to Do
In the Click to Do feature, Copilot prompt suggestions will now load instantly. However, this enhancement is not yet available to Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area or China.
Desktop Background
Users can now set .webp images as their desktop background by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Desktop Background.
Fixes Gradually Being Rolled Out
Taskbar and System Tray
Bluetooth
Fixed an issue that prevented the battery level of some Bluetooth devices from displaying for certain Insiders after the latest builds, despite the devices supporting this feature.
Xbox Full-Screen Experience for PC
This build addresses unexpected behaviors in apps and games when using the full-screen experience. The validation of scenarios continues, and the known issue remains active for now. Acknowledgment is extended to Insiders for their valuable feedback.
Login and Lock Screens
Fixed an issue that caused the password icon to appear blank on the login screen.
Settings
Other
FAQ
How do I become a Windows Insider?
To join the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft provides a straightforward guide on its website. You can enroll using your Microsoft account and opt to receive Insider builds through the Settings app on Windows 11.
Where do you get your Windows 11 background images from? Let us know in the comments!