Guide
How to set a looping video as your Windows desktop wallpaper
Windows only takes still images as wallpaper, so you need a wallpaper app. Lively Wallpaper (open source, Microsoft Store) and Wallpaper Engine (paid, Steam) both play MP4 files on a loop.
Updated
Option 1: Lively Wallpaper
Lively Wallpaper is an open-source app available from the Microsoft Store and GitHub.
- Install Lively Wallpaper from the Microsoft Store and open it.
- Click the + (Add wallpaper) button and choose the MP4 file.
- When it appears in your library, click it to set it as the wallpaper. With more than one monitor, Lively asks which screen to use.
- In Lively's settings, check the performance options that pause the wallpaper while a full-screen app or game is running. That stops the video using your graphics card while you play.
Option 2: Wallpaper Engine
Wallpaper Engine is a paid app on Steam.
- Open Wallpaper Engine and click Open Wallpaper at the bottom of the window.
- Choose Open from File and select the MP4. It is added to your installed wallpapers.
- Select it to apply it. Use the display selector at the top to pick a monitor.
Choosing a clip
- Match the clip to your screen. A 1080p clip on a 1440p or 4K monitor is scaled up and looks a little soft; it is still fine behind windows, but sharper on a 1080p screen.
- Calm scenes work best behind work. Fast motion in your peripheral vision gets tiring over a day.
- Look for "First and last frames match" in the specs. On a desktop you will see the clip restart hundreds of times a day.
Keeping it light
A looping 1080p video uses very little power on a modern PC, but laptops on battery are different. Both apps can pause the wallpaper on battery or when another window is maximised; turn that on if you use a laptop.
