If you’re seeking a fresh perspective for your Windows 11 desktop, Microsoft is poised to deliver an exciting enhancement. The latest Insider builds of the operating system now support animated video backgrounds, a feature that promises to breathe new life into your workspace. This capability, initially uncovered by the astute feature explorer known as phantomofearth, allows users to set any MP4 or M4V video file as their wallpaper, seamlessly adapting it to fit the screen without distortion.
During testing, a video shot in portrait mode was effortlessly cropped to fill a 4K monitor, showcasing the system’s ability to handle various formats and resolutions. There appears to be no significant limitation on the size or length of the videos used; for instance, a five-and-a-half-minute 4K nature video, nearly 1 GB in size, played smoothly as a desktop background. While this feature opens the door to creative possibilities, it’s worth noting that sound and captions are not included, so the focus remains solely on the visual experience.
For those with a long memory, this isn’t the first time Windows has ventured into animated wallpapers. Back in 2007, Windows Vista introduced a feature called DreamScene, which allowed users to set WMV or MPG files as their backgrounds. However, this feature was discontinued in Windows 7, which opted for a more straightforward slideshow approach that continued into Windows 8. Now, with the resurgence of animated backgrounds, users can enjoy a more dynamic desktop environment without relying on third-party applications.
How to enable animated wallpaper in Windows 11
Currently, to access this animated wallpaper feature, users must be running a Beta or Dev channel Insider build. Additionally, enabling this hidden capability requires the use of ViVeTool, a command-line utility designed to unlock concealed Windows features. To get started, ensure your Windows build number is 26220.6690 (for the Dev channel) or 26120.6690 (for the Beta channel) or higher.
If you’re not yet part of the Windows Insider program, joining is a straightforward process. Simply navigate to Settings -> Windows Update -> Windows Insider Program, select your Microsoft account, and choose your preferred Insider channel. For stability, the Beta channel is recommended.
Once you’ve joined the Insider program and your system has updated—this may take between 10 to 30 minutes—you can verify your build number by using the Winver command. Press the Windows key + R, type winver, and hit enter to confirm you’re on the correct build.
After confirming your build, the next step involves using ViVeTool to activate the animated wallpaper feature. Download ViVeTool and extract it to an easily accessible folder, such as C:vive. Then, open an elevated command prompt by searching for cmd, right-clicking the top result, and selecting Run as administrator.
cd vive
vivetool /enable /id:57645315
Following this, restart your computer or simply restart Windows Explorer. To set your animated wallpaper, navigate to Settings -> Personalization -> Background. You may need to select Picture from the menu, even if it appears already selected, to activate the animated wallpaper feature.
Next, click Browse photos and select your desired MP4 or MKV video file. For those looking for visually appealing options, consider downloading videos from Pexels, a free online library dedicated to moving wallpapers. Once you close the Settings window, your new animated wallpaper should be visible, playing in a continuous loop until you choose to change it.
Getting animated wallpaper without the latest Windows build
If you prefer not to install a Windows Insider build but still want animated wallpaper, third-party applications can provide a solution. One such option is Lively Wallpaper, a free and open-source utility available in the Microsoft Store.
Upon installation, Lively Wallpaper presents a selection of 12 preloaded animated wallpapers. These options are more sophisticated than standard animated backgrounds, as they adapt colors based on cursor movement. To add your own animated wallpaper, simply click the + button, select Choose a file, and pick your desired MP4 or other video file.
After entering a title and description—or opting to keep the defaults—click Ok. The application will process the video, and it will subsequently become part of your wallpaper library. Keep in mind that the animations will only function while Lively Wallpaper is running; minimizing the app will send it to the system tray, and closing it will revert your desktop to the previously selected wallpaper in Windows Settings.
