How to Add or Remove the “Learn about this picture” Desktop Icon in Windows 11

Among Windows Spotlight’s features is shuffling the desktop wallpaper using images from its collection. Sometimes, users may want to learn more about this picture in Windows 11, which they can do via the associated desktop icon. However, should you want to disable this shortcut instead, this guide is perfect for the task.

How to manage the “Learn about this picture” icon

Before you jump right in, make sure that you have the following prerequisites covered:

✔️ Administrator rights for system-wide configuration.

✔️ Access to the Group Policy Management Console or scripting tools for deployment

The steps in this guide will apply to a Windows 11 device with an active Windows Spotlight desktop background image.

Understanding the Learn about this picture icon behavior

If a device isn’t using Windows Spotlight or a Spotlight wallpaper, the icon will not be displayed at all. In terms of how it works, clicking it will redirect the user to the featured image via Bing search results.

Additionally, it will not be present when using Picture, Slideshow, or Solid-Color Backgrounds. Alternatively, you can still enable Spotlight and hide this icon to streamline the user experience.

Method 1: Change the background to remove the icon (GUI method)

For personal use or small-scale policy enforcement, you can simply set a desktop background that’s not from the Spotlight collection. This will immediately remove the icon and customize the display to your preference.

1. Right-click on the desktop → select Personalize.
2. Under Background, choose a Picture or a Solid color instead of Spotlight.

The “Learn about this picture” icon will no longer be displayed on your desktop. At the same time, this will disable Spotlight desktop backgrounds.

Method 2: Remove the icon using the Registry Editor

⚠️ Warning: Unwanted changes in the Registry can impact your system’s performance and stability. Before you proceed, consider creating a backup of the Windows Registry.

With that in mind, here are the steps for removing the Learn more about this picture icon.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press OK to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to or paste this path into the Registry’s address bar:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

3. Right-click on the right pane and select → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Set {2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3} as the name of the new value.
5. Open it, and type in 1 as the Value data to hide the icon or 0 to show it.

Method 3: Remove the icon using a PowerShell script

This PowerShell script is recommended for automation, login scripts, or remote sessions.

1. Open PowerShell from Search and right-click to select Run as administrator.
2. Run the following command:

$regPath =

"HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\

NewStartPanel"

$clsid = "{2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}"

If (!(Test-Path $regPath)) {

New-Item -Path $regPath -Force

}

Set-ItemProperty -Path $regPath -Name $clsid -Value 1

To restore the Learn more about this picture icon, change -Value to 0.

Method 4: Enforce via Group Policy preferences

This method is viable for deploying in Active Directory environments.

1. Open Group Policy Management Editor.
2. Navigate to User Configuration → Preferences → Windows Settings → Registry
3. Right-click → New → Registry Item and configure:
   • Action: Update
   • Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
   • Key Path:

Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

• • Value Name: {2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3}
  • Value Type: REG_DWORD
  • Value Data: 1

4. Apply the policy to the appropriate user groups or OUs.
5. Force policy update with gpupdate /force to apply the changes immediately.

Method 5: Remove the icon via Context Menu (if supported)

In some Windows 11 builds, you may be able to configure the icon settings right away.

1. Right-click the Learn about this picture icon.
2. Choose Delete or Remove from desktop.

🥷 Note: This method only hides the icon for the current user and may not be available in all Windows 11 builds.

Troubleshooting the Learn about this picture icon display

Issue: Registry key doesn’t exist

If this setting has never been configured, you will have to create a new Registry key. In the Registry Editor, create the HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel key manually and make sure to use the correct CLSID {2cc5ca98-6485-489a-920e-b3e88a6ccce3} when creating a new DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Issue: Icon returns after a restart

If this error occurs, you need to ensure your changes to the Windows Registry are being enforced, which can be done via Group Policy or a login script.

Issue: Spotlight is not working after disabling the icon

Removing the desktop icon does not disable Windows Spotlight, which also shares tips and recommendations for using Microsoft products. However, changing the background to remove the icon will disable the Spotlight wallpaper feature for the desktop and lock screen.

Improving the user experience by configuring Windows Spotlight

Removing the Learn about this picture desktop icon is a simple cosmetic change you can deploy to streamline the user experience and workflow.

If you’re doing it remotely, consider using a PowerShell script to make a non-intrusive adjustment. For IT environments, the Group Policy Management Editor can be used to enforce the new setting on endpoint devices with immediate effect.