How do I turn on the new animated wallpaper feature in Windows 11?

Can I use a video as my desktop background in Windows 11 without extra software?

Windows 11 will soon let you use a video as your desktop background. This new built-in feature allows you to set a looping video, such as a .mp4 file, to play behind your desktop icons, adding motion and personality to your computer.

Understanding the Video Wallpaper Feature

The ability to set a video as your desktop background is a simple concept. Instead of a static image, your desktop will display a moving video that plays on a continuous loop. This is a native feature, meaning it is built directly into the Windows 11 operating system. You will not need to download or buy any third-party applications to make it work.

Think of it as upgrading your desktop from a photograph to a short movie. This allows for more dynamic and personalized customization. For example, you could have a calming video of a beach, a futuristic animation, or a short clip of a favorite family moment playing quietly in the background. The feature is designed to be straightforward, offering a simple way to liven up your digital workspace without complicated settings. Early tests show that it works smoothly, even when other applications or the Start menu are open on top of it.

How to Set a Video as Your Background

While the feature is still in development, the process for setting a video wallpaper is expected to be simple and integrated into the existing Windows 11 settings. You will be able to find it in the same place you currently go to change your desktop picture.

Here are the likely steps you will follow:

1. Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 computer. You can do this by pressing the Windows + I.
2. Navigate to the Personalization section from the left-hand menu.
3. Click on the Background option. This is where you currently choose a picture, solid color, or slideshow.
4. In the “Personalize your background” dropdown, you would normally select “Picture.” To use a video, you will likely click the “Browse photos” button.
5. The File Explorer window will open. You can then navigate to the video file you want to use as your background.
6. Select the video file and click “Choose.”

After you select the video, the system should automatically apply it to your desktop. The video will then start playing in a loop. Because this feature is unannounced, the final steps might change slightly, but the process will remain within the familiar Personalization settings.

Supported Video Formats

Microsoft plans to support a range of common video file formats. This ensures that most videos you have will work without needing to be converted. The goal is to make the feature as accessible as possible.

The list of supported file formats includes:

• .mp4
• .m4v
• .mov
• .wmv
• .avi
• .mkv
• .webm

These formats cover the vast majority of videos you would download or create. This wide support means you can easily find or make content for your new animated desktop.

Impact on Computer Performance

A major concern with animated backgrounds is their effect on computer performance and battery life. A constantly playing video could use significant system resources, slowing down your computer or draining your laptop’s battery. However, Microsoft has designed this feature with efficiency in mind.

Early findings suggest that the video wallpaper feature has been optimized to have a minimal impact on power consumption and processing power. It likely uses the computer’s graphics card (GPU) to handle the video playback. This process, known as GPU acceleration, is very efficient and frees up the main processor (CPU) to focus on other tasks. By using hardware designed for video, Windows can run the animated background smoothly without causing noticeable slowdowns.

To further ensure good performance, Microsoft will likely place some limits on the videos you can use. For example, there may be restrictions on the maximum length or file size of the video. This prevents a very large, high-resolution video from using too many resources. The wallpapers will also be non-interactive, meaning you cannot click on elements within the video. This simplicity helps keep resource usage low, making it a practical feature for everyday use.

A Modern Take on an Old Idea

This is not the first time Microsoft has introduced animated backgrounds to its operating system. Users of Windows Vista may remember a similar feature called Windows DreamScene. DreamScene also allowed users to set videos as their desktop background and was part of an effort to make the desktop experience more visually rich.

DreamScene was an interesting idea, but it was eventually removed in later versions of Windows. The new video wallpaper feature in Windows 11 can be seen as the return of this concept, but with modern technology. The implementation in Windows 11 is expected to be far more efficient than DreamScene was, thanks to advancements in hardware and software over the last decade. It uses a more streamlined method for rendering video that is better integrated with the core of the operating system, ensuring stability and low resource use.

Native Feature vs. Third-Party Apps

For years, users have relied on third-party applications like Wallpaper Engine to create animated desktops. These programs are very powerful and offer a massive library of user-created content, including interactive wallpapers, audio visualizers, and complex 3D scenes.

Microsoft’s built-in feature will not be a direct replacement for these advanced tools. Instead, it offers a simpler, more accessible alternative. The key difference is simplicity versus customization. Third-party apps provide endless options but can be more complex and may use more system resources. Microsoft’s feature will be basic—it plays a video on a loop—but it will be free, secure, and perfectly integrated into Windows, with a strong focus on maintaining system performance.

Here is a simple comparison:

• Windows 11 Video Wallpaper: A free, built-in feature for simple video backgrounds. It is optimized for low power usage and is very easy to set up.
• Third-Party Apps: Often paid applications with advanced features like interactivity, special effects, and a huge community workshop. They offer more creative freedom but may require more system resources.

When Will It Be Available?

This feature is expected to be released as part of a major update to Windows 11, possibly version 24H2 or 25H2. It is currently being tested in unreleased preview builds of the operating system. Before it is released to the public, it will likely become available to members of the Windows Insider Program for further testing and feedback. A public rollout could begin as early as late 2025.