Windows Lock Screen Slideshow Registry Key Guide

This article provides a direct overview of the Windows Registry keys responsible for managing the lock screen slideshow configuration. It details the exact paths used to enforce system-wide lock screen policies, customize user-specific image sources, and adjust power-saving settings related to lock screen slideshows in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Policy Management Key (System-Wide)

To disable or enforce the lock screen slideshow feature across the entire system, Windows uses the following policy key:

• Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
• Value Name: NoLockScreenSlideshow
• Type: REG_DWORD
• Value Data:
  • 1 = Disables the lock screen slideshow feature.
  • 0 = Enables the lock screen slideshow feature.

If the Personalization key or the NoLockScreenSlideshow value does not exist, it can be created manually to enforce this policy.

User Configuration Key (Personalization Settings)

The individual user settings, selected image directories, and playback preferences are stored under the current user hive:

• Key Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen

Within this key, Windows manages the following key values and subkeys:

• SlideshowDirectoryPath: Specifies the path or reference IDs of the folders containing images for the slideshow.
• SlideshowIncludeCameraRoll: A REG_DWORD value where 1 includes the Camera Roll folder and 0 excludes it.
• SlideshowDisableOnBattery: A REG_DWORD value where 1 pauses the slideshow when the device runs on battery power.

Modern Windows Personalization Key

In newer versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, additional slideshow states and asset configurations are also tracked under:

• Key Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PersonalizationDSP\LockScreen

This subkey controls modern UI states, determining whether the lock screen is currently configured for a static picture, Windows Spotlight, or a custom folder slideshow.