Windows assigns desktop backgrounds and slideshows to your monitors through its Personalization settings. By default, activating a slideshow affects all connected displays, but you can configure the system to show a slideshow on just one monitor while keeping the other monitor's background unchanged. This setup is especially useful for workstations where you want dynamic visuals on one screen and a distraction-free workspace on the other.

Configuring Slideshow on Only One Monitor Using Windows Settings

Step 1: Right-click an empty area on your desktop and select Personalize. This opens the Personalization menu, where you can adjust your background settings.

Step 2: On the right, click Background.

Step 3: Under the Background drop-down menu, select Slideshow. This enables slideshow mode for your desktop backgrounds.

Step 4: Click Browse to choose the folder containing the images you wish to use for your slideshow. Pick the desired folder, then click Choose this folder.

Step 5: Adjust slideshow settings such as Change picture every and Shuffle as needed. These control how often the images change and whether they appear in random order.

Step 6: To assign the slideshow to only one monitor, right-click the image displayed in the Choose your picture section, then select Set for monitor 1 or Set for monitor 2 depending on which screen should show the slideshow. Assign a static image to the other monitor by right-clicking a different image and choosing Set for monitor [number].

This method uses built-in Windows functionality and does not require third-party software. However, Windows may sometimes synchronize backgrounds across both monitors, so double-check your setup after applying these changes.

Using Third-Party Wallpaper Managers for Advanced Control

For more granular control or if Windows Settings do not behave as expected, third-party wallpaper managers such as DisplayFusion or Wallpaper Engine can assign slideshows to individual monitors.

Step 1: Download and install a wallpaper management application like DisplayFusion or Wallpaper Engine from the official website or a trusted source.

Step 2: Open the application and navigate to its wallpaper or background settings. Find the option to configure each monitor separately.

Step 3: For the monitor you want to display a slideshow, select Slideshow as the background type, then choose your desired image folder and adjust slideshow timing and transitions.

Step 4: For the other monitor, choose a static image or a different wallpaper mode. Apply the settings to save your configuration.

Third-party tools often provide more reliable separation between monitors and may include extra features like multi-monitor taskbars or advanced image effects.

Manual Method: Setting a Static Background on One Monitor

If you want to avoid third-party software and the Windows slideshow assignment is inconsistent, you can manually set a static background on one monitor and a slideshow on the other by following these steps:

  • Set up the slideshow as described in the first method.
  • Right-click on the desktop background thumbnail for the non-slideshow monitor and select a single image as its background.
  • This may need to be repeated if Windows resets the backgrounds after a system restart or update.

This approach is less reliable but works for simple, temporary setups.

Configuring a slideshow on only one monitor in a dual monitor setup streamlines your workflow by keeping one display dynamic and the other distraction-free. Check your configuration after system updates, as Windows settings may occasionally revert.