Windows Spotlight shows blank screen; how to solve this?

[kiddingguy]

This week I noticed that on one of my notebooks a blank screen on Windows Spotlight is shown (the screen before logging in and/or when locking my PC).

 

I tried several steps (see https://www.lifewire.com/fix-windows-spotlight-not-working-windows-10-4772370#:~:text=If Windows Spotlight still isn,Force Windows update.) all without success.

I don't feel the urge/need to reset/reformat my notebook just for this. But maybe you guys know what might be the case here, and how to solve this.

 

I run W10 Pro, 21H1 (64 bit) with all latest updates installed.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Windows Spotlight is an option for the Lock Screen, isn't it? Have you checked your lock screen settings?

[kiddingguy]

23 minutes ago, Nick H. said:

Windows Spotlight is an option for the Lock Screen, isn't it? Have you checked your lock screen settings?

That's correct.

The lock screen preview is greyed out, whereas on other notebooks there is an image shown.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

What happens if you switch it from the Spotlight option to a picture? And then when you have selected a picture, what happens if you switch back to Spotlight?

 

I also see that you don't have any apps added to display a detailed view. Is that because you haven't selected any, or are you unable to select them?

[kiddingguy]

3 minutes ago, Nick H. said:

What happens if you switch it from the Spotlight option to a picture? And then when you have selected a picture, what happens if you switch back to Spotlight?

 

I also see that you don't have any apps added to display a detailed view. Is that because you haven't selected any, or are you unable to select them?

Switching to 'Picture' and back hasn't helped.

I don't have any other apps displayed, because I don't need them on my lock screen.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

What about your settings in Edge? Do you have anything that might be breaking it there? I don't know if there is some form of integration between Edge and Spotlight, but it wouldn't surprise me...

 

Also, have you checked the various options mentioned here? https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/windows-spotlight

[kiddingguy]

1 hour ago, Nick H. said:

What about your settings in Edge? Do you have anything that might be breaking it there? I don't know if there is some form of integration between Edge and Spotlight, but it wouldn't surprise me...

 

Also, have you checked the various options mentioned here? https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configuration/windows-spotlight

I have reset Edge; no success.

The options mentioned have I checked; also no success.

 

Kinda strange that this happened sort of 'overnight'.

[kiddingguy]

I found a setting/comment in this thread from Narfsmart

 

And changing this setting from 1 to 0, reboot, and than back from 0 to 1... kinda 'fixed' the issue as to that I know can see an image once again.

 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowsMetrics\MinAnimate

 

So far so good... let's see it these images keep rotating today/tomorrow... #fingerscrossed

 

[kiddingguy]

23 hours ago, kiddingguy said:

I found a setting/comment in this thread from Narfsmart

 

And changing this setting from 1 to 0, reboot, and than back from 0 to 1... kinda 'fixed' the issue as to that I know can see an image once again.

 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowsMetrics\MinAnimate

 

So far so good... let's see it these images keep rotating today/tomorrow... #fingerscrossed

 

Yes, this one worked.

Although, I didn't have the 'Like what you see option'

 

A little Googling brought me this:

"I had this problem, and wasn't finding solutions on Google but ended up figuring it out and it's very simple. Go to Personalization then lock screen. Make sure Windows spotlight is selected. Then disable "Show lock screen background picure on the sign-in screen". Lock your computer or sign out and "Like what you see?" will be there. After you get to your login prompt, if you don't login or click on the screen it will return to the Spotlight "Like what you see" after 60 seconds of inactivity."

 

After this trick, everything is back to normal.

Still... kinda strange that everything just went blank...