A weird bug auto changes the desktop wallpaper to a Minecraft-themed one, leaving folks confused

In the last few days, we have come across a few reports of Windows users finding a Minecraft-themed desktop wallpaper. On subsequent reboots, the problem seems to disappear, but only after leaving everyone thoroughly confused. And instances of the bug keep increasing with each passing day!

So far, Microsoft hasn’t officially acknowledged the bug or shared a patch.

The problem with such bugs is that they are awfully similar to a successful hacking attempt. When threat actors gain access to your PC, you often see a different desktop wallpaper. And this time too, a similar pattern is observed, although it’s not a result of hacking.

The desktop wallpaper bug is leaving everyone perplexed

When we started researching, several users took to Microsoft’s dedicated forum to share their experience of seeing a Minecraft wallpaper automatically set on the desktop. Here’s what they wrote,

I restarted my computer the other day. Today, I log in and everything looks normal, even my desktop background. I just closed all my tabs and was SO confused when my background was an image of Steve playing in a field with Minecraft bees. Am I going insane? Did someone change my background? What is going on??

I feel like normally it changes every day, but it’s been minecraft for several days now.

Normally the automatic wallpapers are a random landscape or landmark or something! The fact that it was a branded image like that literally made me think it was malware of some sort.

How do I get rid of Minecraft-themed desktop wallpapers?

As of now, there’s very little information about the issue, making it tricky to identify the underlying cause. But disabling Windows Spotlight or uninstalling Minecraft might help.

• Disable Windows Spotlight: Press Windows + I to open Settings > go to Personalization from the left pane > click on Background > select Picture from the Personalize your background dropdown menu > choose any desktop wallpaper.
• Uninstall Minecraft: Press Windows + I to open Settings > go to Apps > select Installed apps > locate Minecraft > click on the ellipsis (three dots) next to it > choose Uninstall > confirm the change.

If Windows Spotlight sourced a Minecraft-themed desktop wallpaper, disabling it would do the trick. And if the bug lies in the game itself, uninstalling it is the best option right now.

When nothing works, discover our verified solutions to prevent the desktop wallpaper from changing automatically.

If you have been affected by the automatic Minecraft desktop wallpaper bug, share your experience with our readers in the comments section.