Windows 11 provides a variety of personalization options, yet for those seeking to elevate their visual experience beyond the standard offerings, unofficial methods can be employed. One notable limitation of Windows 11 is its lack of support for animated wallpapers, as it only accommodates static images. However, third-party applications like Lively Wallpapers can bridge this gap, allowing users to select from an extensive collection of animated backgrounds. While alternatives such as Wallpaper Engine offer more customization, Lively Wallpapers stands out as a top free option.
How to Use Live Wallpapers on Windows 11 with Lively Wallpaper
Lively Wallpaper is an impressive application that enables users to enhance their Windows 11 desktop with animated wallpapers. This free, open-source tool is readily available on both the Microsoft Store and GitHub. To get started, follow these straightforward steps:
- Download and install Lively Wallpaper from the Microsoft Store.
- Upon launching the app, you will be greeted by a home screen featuring a selection of 12 wallpapers (as of this writing).
- Choose any wallpaper option to instantly set it as your desktop background.
- For further personalization, click the ellipsis button next to the wallpaper’s name and select “Customize wallpaper.”
- Given the diverse range of available wallpapers, customization options will vary accordingly.
- These options may include adjusting colors, resizing specific elements, and more.
- Changes will be visible in real time if the wallpaper is currently active. Once you are satisfied with your adjustments, click OK to save your changes.
After saving your settings, you can minimize the app to the system tray by clicking the X button in the top right corner. Note that closing the app entirely will remove your wallpaper. By default, the app is set to start with the system, ensuring your animated background remains visible, although this setting can be modified in the app’s preferences. Additionally, the app features a Gallery tab that will eventually showcase user-created wallpapers, while currently offering a selection of curated options.
How to Choose Your Wallpaper
While the selection may not be infinite, Lively Wallpaper allows users to upload their own wallpapers, including videos (both online and local), GIFs, and even interactive web-based wallpapers. The developer has provided documentation detailing the types of wallpapers supported. If you have a wallpaper ready to go, here’s how to set it up:
- Launch the Lively Wallpaper app.
- Select the + (plus) icon located in the top menu bar.
- Choose a file or source for your wallpaper.
- To use a local file, either drag and drop it into the designated area or click “Open” to browse for it. The app supports various video file formats.
- For online videos or web pages, select the “Enter URL” option. This feature allows embedding from sites like YouTube, enabling you to set a video as your wallpaper, provided it is not restricted from embedding. The “Advanced” option allows for the creation of dynamic wallpapers from 2D images, utilizing AI to generate a parallax effect that adds depth as you move your mouse, though results may vary.
- Similar customization options apply to these wallpapers as with the default ones. For local videos, you can adjust settings such as contrast, brightness, and playback speed. AI-generated dynamic wallpapers allow for tweaks in how the image shifts with the parallax effect.
Once you’ve completed your adjustments, close the app, and your video or animated wallpaper will remain active. Typically, if the video has audio, it will be muted while using other applications.
Gizchina News of the week
How to Apply Wallpapers to Multiple Monitors
For users with multiple monitors, adjusting settings to extend your animated wallpaper across all screens is essential. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Lively Wallpaper App.
- Click the Monitor Icon on the menu bar, which displays the number of monitors currently using an active wallpaper.
- Select One of the Three Options to customize how the wallpaper is displayed across your monitors.
Options for Multi-Monitor Wallpapers
- Selected Screen Only (Default): Applies the wallpaper only to the currently selected monitor.
- Span Across Screens: Expands the wallpaper to cover all connected monitors.
- Duplicate Same Wallpaper: Displays the same wallpaper on each monitor.
Some wallpapers may appear more visually striking when spanned across multiple screens, while others might be better suited for duplication. Experimenting with these settings can help you determine what works best for your setup. If you wish to select a specific monitor each time you apply a wallpaper, check the box labeled “Always pick screen when choosing wallpaper” before clicking OK to save your changes.
Tips for Using Lively Wallpaper
Lively Wallpaper is designed to be resource-efficient, but here are some tips to save power, particularly on laptops:
- Power Saving: The app pauses animations when fullscreen applications are in use. Additional settings in the Performance tab can be adjusted to optimize power consumption further.
- Customization: Utilize the Performance tab to control wallpaper refresh rates and pause animations as needed.
These adjustments will assist in managing your laptop’s battery usage while enjoying animated wallpapers. Further customization options can be accessed in the app’s settings under the Performance tab, which includes:
- Fullscreen Apps: Pause wallpapers in fullscreen mode (default: Pause).
- Focused Apps: Choose behavior when another app is active (default: Nothing).
- Battery Power: Set actions when on battery (default: Nothing).
- Battery Saver: Adjust behavior for Battery Saver mode (default: Nothing).
- Remote Desktop: Pause wallpapers during Remote Desktop sessions (default: Pause).
- Display Pause Rule: Apply pause rules to all screens or individually (default: Per screen).
- Pause Algorithm: Select detection method for active apps (default: Foreground process).
These adjustments help strike a balance between performance and power efficiency, although increased pausing may impact wallpaper dynamics.
Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we discuss, but our articles and reviews reflect our honest opinions. For more details, please refer to our editorial guidelines regarding affiliate links.
Source/VIA :
