Want a moving background on your Windows 11 PC? You can do it by installing a small app that plays video files as your desktop background. The easiest, free option is Lively Wallpaper from the Microsoft Store. Download it, add your video, and set it as the wallpaper. You will get a looping, animated background that respects your performance settings and multi-monitor setup, and you can change or remove it any time.
Step by Step Tutorial: How To Set Video As Wallpaper Windows 11
This tutorial will show you how to use Lively Wallpaper to set a video as your wallpaper on Windows 11. The steps cover downloading the app, adding a video, and configuring basic playback and performance options.
Step 1: Download Lively Wallpaper
Go to the Microsoft Store and install Lively Wallpaper, or download it from the official GitHub release page.
Lively is free, open source, and built for Windows 10 and 11. The Microsoft Store install is easiest because updates come automatically. If you prefer manual installs, use the GitHub releases and follow the installer prompts.
Step 2: Open Lively and grant permissions
Launch Lively after install and allow any permissions it asks for, like drawing on the desktop.
Lively needs permission to run as a desktop background app. It may request to run at startup if you want the video to return after a reboot. Granting permissions keeps the wallpaper stable.
Step 3: Add your video file
Click the plus or add button in Lively, choose your video file, and import it as a new wallpaper.
Lively supports common formats like MP4 and WEBM. If your video is large, it may take a moment to import. You can also drag and drop the file into the app.
Step 4: Set the video as wallpaper
Select the video thumbnail in Lively and click Set as Wallpaper or Apply to make it your desktop background.
The video starts playing across your desktop. If you have multiple monitors, pick which monitor to apply it to or choose to span the video across all screens.
Step 5: Adjust performance and playback
Open Lively settings to change playback options like pause on battery, frame rate, and audio mute.
Lower the frame rate or enable pause on battery to save power. You can mute audio so the wallpaper does not play sound, and set the app to stop when a game runs.
Step 6: Manage multiple monitors and scaling
Use the monitor selection or layout options to position, fit, or scale the video on different screens.
Lively lets you crop, stretch, or fit the video per monitor. Test different settings if the video looks stretched or cuts off.
After you complete these steps, your video will play as your desktop wallpaper. It will loop automatically and follow the rules you set for power and performance. You can switch back to a static image or turn off the live wallpaper anytime from the app.
Tips for How To Set Video As Wallpaper Windows 11
- Use MP4 or WEBM files for best compatibility and smaller file sizes.
- Reduce resolution or bitrate of very large videos to save CPU and memory.
- Enable the pause on battery option when using a laptop to preserve battery life.
- Mute wallpaper audio unless you want background sound while you work.
- Try Wallpaper Engine if you want more features, but expect to pay for that app.
- Keep Lively updated to get new optimizations and bug fixes.
- Test different scaling options for multiple monitors to avoid stretched images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Windows 11 do video wallpapers without extra apps?
No, Windows 11 does not include a built in way to play video files as wallpapers. You need a third party app like Lively, Wallpaper Engine, or similar.
Will a video wallpaper slow down my computer?
It can use CPU and GPU resources depending on the video resolution and settings. Lowering frame rate and resolution reduces the performance impact.
Is Lively Wallpaper safe to use?
Yes, Lively is open source and widely used. Download it from the Microsoft Store or the official GitHub to stay safe.
Can I use YouTube videos as wallpaper?
Not directly. You must download the video as a local file or use Wallpaper Engine which has a browser widget to play web content. Always follow copyright rules.
Will the wallpaper keep playing during games?
Most apps like Lively pause the wallpaper automatically when a game runs in full screen. Check the app settings for a game mode option.
How do I remove the video wallpaper?
Open Lively and select a different wallpaper or choose None. You can also uninstall the app to return to a static wallpaper.
Summary
- Download Lively
- Open app and allow permissions
- Add video file
- Set as wallpaper
- Adjust performance settings
- Configure multi monitor scaling
Conclusion
Setting a video wallpaper in Windows 11 is simpler than many people expect. With a tool like Lively Wallpaper you get a reliable, free method that respects your system settings and lets you pick any compatible video file. Think of it like putting a digital picture frame on your desktop that plays movie clips, animated backgrounds, or short loops. It is a great way to personalize your machine and make your workflow feel more lively.
There are trade offs. Video wallpapers use more resources than a still image, so you should balance beauty with performance. If you use a laptop, enable pause on battery and mute audio to avoid distractions. If you are a gamer or do heavy work, set the app to suspend while running fullscreen apps so performance stays high. For people who want more customization and a library of animated options, Wallpaper Engine is a paid alternative with deep controls. For free users, Lively covers almost everything most people need.
If you want to learn more, try experimenting with different formats and resolutions. Convert a high resolution video to a smaller file and see how much smoother your system runs. Share your setup with friends or check online galleries for inspiration. If you run into issues, the community pages and GitHub repos often have step by step fixes. Now you know how to set a video as your wallpaper in Windows 11, so go ahead and give your desktop some motion. Try a few styles until you find one that feels right, and enjoy the fresh look.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.