Windows 11 doesn’t include a first-party “dynamic wallpaper” feature that swaps images at specific clock times in the way some blog posts describe. That said, you can still get a reliable morning/night wallpaper setup using built-in tools like Background Slideshow or Task Scheduler + PowerShell.
What Windows 11 Can (and Can’t) Do Natively
Windows 11 can rotate wallpapers on a timer (slideshow), and it can run scripts on a schedule (Task Scheduler). What it typically doesn’t provide out of the box is a single, obvious “dynamic wallpaper” toggle that changes the image at specific clock times.
If your goal is “one wallpaper at 7:00 AM and another at 8:00 PM,” Task Scheduler is the most direct built-in route. If you can accept “every 12 hours,” slideshow is simpler and often more robust.
Common “It Won’t Save as .ps1/.bat” Fix
If Notepad keeps turning your script into .txt, it usually comes down to file extension handling:
- In Notepad’s Save As dialog, change “Save as type” to All Files, then type the full name like Set-Wallpaper.ps1.
- Make sure Windows is showing file extensions so you don’t end up with Set-Wallpaper.ps1.txt.
This is a small detail, but it’s one of the most common reasons a scheduled task “runs” yet doesn’t actually execute the intended script.
Option: Use Background Slideshow for a Simple Day/Night Rotation
This approach avoids scripting entirely. It works best when you’re okay with “rotate every X hours” rather than “exactly at 7:00 AM.”
Basic idea:
- Create a folder that contains only two images: one for “day” and one for “night.”
- Set your background type to Slideshow and point it to that folder.
- Choose an interval like 12 hours (availability can vary by UI entry points and Windows builds).
This method is simple, but keep in mind it rotates based on the slideshow timer, not on “morning starts at 7:00 AM.” If your PC was off or asleep during a scheduled swap, you may see the “wrong” wallpaper until it rotates again.
Option: Use Task Scheduler + PowerShell for Exact Times
If you want precise times (for example 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM), schedule two tasks that call PowerShell and set a specific wallpaper.
What the scheduled action typically looks like
In Task Scheduler, the action is usually:
- Program/script: powershell.exe
- Add arguments (example): -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Scripts\Set-DayWallpaper.ps1"
A practical wallpaper-setting script pattern
Windows wallpaper changes are often done by writing the wallpaper path into the registry and then notifying Windows to refresh the setting. One common method uses the Win32 SystemParametersInfo call. If you want to understand what that API does, Microsoft’s reference is here: SystemParametersInfo documentation.
For PowerShell scheduling basics, Microsoft’s guidance on execution policy is helpful: Set-ExecutionPolicy. For task scheduling concepts and options, this reference can help: SCHTASKS reference.
Even when your script is correct, wallpaper changes can fail silently if the task runs in a context that can’t access the image file path, if the machine is asleep, or if Task Scheduler is set to “run whether user is logged on or not” without the right permissions.
Scheduling tips that usually improve reliability
- Use a wallpaper path that is always available (local disk, not a disconnected network drive).
- Enable “Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed” if the PC might be asleep at the trigger time.
- Set “Start in (optional)” to your script folder if your script uses relative paths.
- Prefer “Run only when user is logged on” while testing, then harden settings later if needed.
Why Scheduled Tasks Fail (0x1) and How to Troubleshoot
A common Task Scheduler status like 0x1 usually indicates a generic failure, not a specific, user-friendly explanation. Troubleshooting becomes easier when you isolate whether the problem is:
- The script (it fails even when run manually),
- The task configuration (wrong path, missing quotes, wrong working directory), or
- The environment (permissions, sleeping PC, image path unavailable).
Checks that often catch the real issue
- Run the script manually from PowerShell first (same user account). If it fails, fix the script before touching scheduling.
- Confirm the script path in the task action is correct and quoted. Spaces in folders are a classic failure point.
- Check History for the task (enable it if it’s off) and review Event Viewer entries tied to Task Scheduler.
- Log output: even a simple transcript or writing errors to a log file can reveal what 0x1 hides.
If the wallpaper changes when you run the script manually but not on schedule, the task’s “Run as” account, permissions, and “Start in” folder are usually the next places to look.
Which Approach Fits Your Goal
| Approach | Best For | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background Slideshow | Simple rotation (e.g., every 12 hours) | No scripting; minimal setup; fewer permissions issues | Not truly clock-based; can drift if PC is off/asleep |
| Task Scheduler + PowerShell | Exact times (e.g., 7:00 AM / 8:00 PM) | Precise triggers; can retry after missed time | More moving parts; path/permissions/logging matter |
| Scheduled Theme Switching | Bundling wallpaper + colors into themes | Can swap multiple personalization settings at once | Theme files and settings can be finicky across updates |
Security and Permission Notes
Running scripts via Task Scheduler can involve execution policy and permissions. It’s common to see people use “ExecutionPolicy Bypass” in a scheduled task for convenience, but that also reduces safeguards. A safer mindset is:
- Keep scripts simple and local.
- Store wallpaper files in stable local folders.
- Prefer least-privilege settings while testing.
- Use logging so failures are visible instead of mysterious.
Key Takeaways
If you want the easiest built-in setup, try slideshow with a two-image folder and a long interval. If you need precise times, Task Scheduler can do it, but it requires careful handling of file extensions, quoting paths, and task context.
Most “it should be simple” frustrations come from small Windows defaults—hidden file extensions, tasks running in the wrong context, or images stored in paths the task can’t reach. Once those are controlled, scheduled wallpaper changes become much more predictable.
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