DreamScene Archives

Winsage

September 27, 2025

Windows 11 gets Vista-era animated wallpaper: How to get it

Microsoft is introducing animated video backgrounds for Windows 11 in the latest Insider builds, allowing users to set MP4 or M4V video files as their wallpaper. This feature can adapt videos to fit various screen resolutions without distortion and does not impose significant limitations on video size or length. To enable this feature, users must be on a Beta or Dev channel Insider build (build numbers 26220.6690 or 26120.6690 or higher) and use a command-line utility called ViVeTool to unlock it. Users can also opt for third-party applications like Lively Wallpaper to achieve animated backgrounds without joining the Insider program.

Winsage

September 24, 2025

Microsoft confirms DRM playback issues in Windows

Microsoft has announced a remake of its DreamScene video wallpaper feature for Windows, while also confirming playback issues in Windows 11 version 24H2. Users may experience difficulties playing protected content after installing the non-security preview update from August 29, 2025, or subsequent updates, including the cumulative update from September 9, 2025. The issues primarily affect applications using the Enhanced Video Renderer with HDCP enforcement or DRM, resulting in copyright protection errors, playback interruptions, freezing, or black screens. This problem does not affect popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max. Microsoft is working on a resolution and has suggested options for users, including downgrading the operating system, switching to alternative playback applications, or refraining from watching DRM-protected content until a fix is released.

Winsage

September 24, 2025

DreamScene is back: Microsoft’s resurrecting video wallpapers, a Windows feature last seen in 2007

Microsoft is reintroducing video wallpapers in an upcoming update for Windows 11, allowing users to select video files as their desktop wallpaper. This feature, known as Windows DreamScene, is included in the latest beta build of Windows 11. While it provides a way to animate the desktop, it lacks the extensive customization options found in third-party applications like Wallpaper Engine. Microsoft previously offered a similar feature in 2007 with Windows DreamScene for Windows Vista, but it was discontinued in later versions.

Winsage

September 23, 2025

Would You Want a Video Clip as Your Windows 11 Background?

A new setting has been discovered in the developer version of Windows 11 (build 26×20.6690) that allows users to set video files, such as .mp4, as their desktop background. This feature, called Windows DreamScene, originally debuted in Windows Vista Ultimate in 2007, enabling users to personalize their desktops with moving wallpapers. DreamScene was not widely recognized at the time due to its limited availability and general disinterest in animated wallpapers.

Winsage

September 23, 2025

Windows 11 could bring back an old feature for wallpapers from Windows Vista – and it’s about time

Windows 11 may introduce a feature allowing users to set video files as their desktop wallpaper, supporting formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, and WMV. This feature was found in recent preview builds and would not loop videos continuously. It recalls a similar feature from Windows Vista called Windows DreamScene. Currently, users rely on third-party applications for video wallpapers. Concerns exist about the potential impact on system resources and battery life for laptop users. Microsoft aims to compete with macOS, which offers dynamic wallpapers.

Winsage

September 22, 2025

Windows 11 Revives DreamScene With Live Video Wallpapers Returning

Microsoft is reintroducing live wallpapers to the Windows operating system, originally known as DreamScene from the Windows Vista era. The feature is currently in testing, with the latest Windows 11 Dev/Beta build (26x20.6690) revealing an option to use video files as live wallpapers. Users can participate in the Windows Insider program to access this feature by enabling feature ID 57645315 and restarting the explorer.exe process. The official rollout timeline is uncertain, but it may debut in next year's major updates. The current focus for updates is on security enhancements rather than significant visual changes. More bug fixes and refinements are expected before the feature's stable release.

Winsage

September 22, 2025

Windows 11 is getting a video wallpaper feature

Microsoft is reintroducing the DreamScene feature in the latest builds of Windows 11, allowing users to set video wallpapers using video files such as MP4 or MKV. This feature was previously available in Windows Vista and has been requested by the Windows community. DreamScene will enable videos to play seamlessly on the desktop, similar to the third-party application Wallpaper Engine, which is popular among users. Microsoft initially supported video wallpapers in Windows Vista's Ultimate version but discontinued it with Windows 7. The company has been experimenting with dynamic animated wallpapers for Windows 11, although these did not launch in the final release version of the operating system. The return of DreamScene may reduce the need for third-party solutions like Wallpaper Engine.