Microsoft is celebrating 12 years of the Windows Insider Program with 10 new wallpapers for your Windows 11 desktop inspired by the anniversary and the latest Surface design aesthetic.
The collection features flowing, ribbon-like shapes with smooth curves, layered folds, and colorful gradients. You get five color variations in both light and dark designs, ranging from blue and green to orange and purple, plus monochrome options.
You don’t need to be a Windows Insider to use these backgrounds. Simply download the collection and extract the ZIP file.
Once you download the file, open Settings > Personalization > Background, select the “Picture” option in the “Personalize your background” setting, and then click the “Browse Photos” button to select the image you want to set as a desktop background. You can use these instructions if you don’t have an activated version of Windows 11.
There’s also an amusing twist. The files reportedly contained metadata associated with an Apple Mac. It’s a little ironic that Microsoft is celebrating Windows and its Surface design language with artwork that appears to have passed through Apple’s ecosystem. Of course, the metadata doesn’t prove who created the images or which computer they used.
Either way, the wallpapers are free to download and use. Which design do you prefer, light or dark?
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 23 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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