Programmatically Change Windows 10 Lock Screen Background (on Desktop)

Question

How can I programmatically change/set the lock screen background image (using VB.NET, C# or Visual C++)? I am using Win 10 Pro and have Visual Studio 2017 Pro.

I've had a look online but most solutions don't seem to work. For example:

1. Both Change Win 10 Lockscreen Image Mutiple Times C# WPF and Change Windows Lock Screen background image in C# provide sample code but the imports System.Windows.Media.Imaging, Windows.Storage, Windows.Storage.Streams, Windows.System.UserProfile cannot be found when I paste the code. Do I need to add specific references?
2. Lock screen personalization sample looks very promising but upon opening the solution/project file, Visual Studio throws an error saying that the provided format is unreadable.

Most sources (also Windows Dev Center - LockScreen Class) seem to suggest
Windows.System.UserProfile.LockScreen.SetImageFileAsync(file);
but I am apparently missing the specific namespace/import/package to make it run.

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I've found an easier way using this question Windows 10 Pro lockscreen mass change. All I need to do is set the registry entries under

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PersonalizationCSP

• DesktopImagePath
• DesktopImageUrl
• LockScreenImagePath
• LockScreenImageUrl

to the path of the desired picture, which works without UWP or WPF.