Windows 10 - Account Picture [PR.212]

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Getting to Grips with Windows 10

Changing the Account Picture in Windows 8/10
Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows 8/10 doesn't include an option to change the account picture from the Control Panel. Now, you have to resort to changing it from PC Settings.
NB. I would also recommend that you read the final notes in the Article on Windows 10 - Edge Browser, which can be found HERE

Changing the Account Picture
Left Click the Start Button or Press the Windows Logo Key on your keyboard. This will open the Start Menu (or Start Screen). Right-click on the account picture at the top-left corner of the Start menu, and then select 'Change Account Settings'..

Fig.1 - Start/Change Account Settings
Windows will then present the User with the PC Settings Screen shown below. From there you can see your current Account Picture. Click on the Browse Button and select your favorite picture to set as your New Account Picture.

Fig.2 - User Default Picture

Fig.3 - Picture Selection

Fig.4 - Account Picture Update

Reset/Restore Account Picture to Default
If in the future you wish to remove or reset the image to default, you will quickly realise there is no way you can do this by default! In Windows 7/8/10, the default account picture images are stored in a hidden system folder: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\User Account Pictures, and you will again have to resort to doing this manually from PC Settings.
Procedure

Follow the instruction as for 'Changing the Account Picture'
Click on the Browse Button.
Type the Path above - also duplicated below - in the Address Bar and hit Enter.

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\User Account Pictures

The User will then be presented with a Set of Images - Select the Default User Image!

Fig.5 - Default Picture Folder

Delete Old Account Pictures
If the Windows user account pictures have been changed several times, some of the previous account pictures will also be shown on the right side of the Users current account picture. If you have no further need of them, you may wish to delete them! you will again realise there is no way to do this by default! and will again need to resort to doing this manually from PC Settings
Procedure

Open the File Explorer
In the Address Bar Type the following Path, and press Enter.

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures

Delete all the old images that are no longer required to clear the existing picture cache!
NB. From the above, and when the Account Picture Folder is visible, you may notice if you are viewing the folder contents by details rather than icons, that the account pictures are shown as small figure icons with a hexadecimal description, this is how windows stores the account pictures, and which can be saved in that format in a back-up folder for further use if so desired. Also if you require to re-establish one of the account pictures from this format, the user will simply need to double click the item to re-install that account picture! - See details Below!

Fig.6 - Saved Account Picture Folder

Fig.7 - Login Screen with New Picture

computing - www.mjo.co.uk

Getting to Grips with Windows 10 Changing the Account Picture in Windows 8/10 Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows 8/10 doesn't include an option to change the account picture from the Control Panel. Now, you have to resort to changing it from PC Settings. NB. I would also recommend that you read the final notes in the Article on Windows 10 - Edge Browser, which can be found HERE Changing the Account Picture Left Click the Start Button or Press the Windows Logo Key on your keyboard. This will open the Start Menu (or Start Screen). Right-click on the account picture at the top-left corner of the Start menu, and then select 'Change Account Settings'.. Fig.1 - Start/Change Account Settings Windows will then present the User with the PC Settings Screen shown below. From there you can see your current Account Picture. Click on the Browse Button and select your favorite picture to set as your New Account Picture. Fig.2 - User Default Picture Fig.3 - Picture Selection Fig.4 - Account Picture Update Reset/Restore Account Picture to Default If in the future you wish to remove or reset the image to default, you will quickly realise there is no way you can do this by default! In Windows 7/8/10, the default account picture images are stored in a hidden system folder: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\User Account Pictures, and you will again have to resort to doing this manually from PC Settings. Procedure Follow the instruction as for 'Changing the Account Picture' Click on the Browse Button. Type the Path above - also duplicated below - in the Address Bar and hit Enter. C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\User Account Pictures The User will then be presented with a Set of Images - Select the Default User Image! Fig.5 - Default Picture Folder Delete Old Account Pictures If the Windows user account pictures have been changed several times, some of the previous account pictures will also be shown on the right side of the Users current account picture. If you have no further need of them, you may wish to delete them! you will again realise there is no way to do this by default! and will again need to resort to doing this manually from PC Settings Procedure Open the File Explorer In the Address Bar Type the following Path, and press Enter. C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures Delete all the old images that are no longer required to clear the existing picture cache! NB. From the above, and when the Account Picture Folder is visible, you may notice if you are viewing the folder contents by details rather than icons, that the account pictures are shown as small figure icons with a hexadecimal description, this is how windows stores the account pictures, and which can be saved in that format in a back-up folder for further use if so desired. Also if you require to re-establish one of the account pictures from this format, the user will simply need to double click the item to re-install that account picture! - See details Below! Fig.6 - Saved Account Picture Folder Fig.7 - Login Screen with New Picture