How to Use Animated Wallpaper in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 4, 2025

Windows 11 brings a modern, sleek design to your desktop experience. But did you know you can take personalization even further with animated wallpapers (also called live wallpapers or moving backgrounds)? Instead of a static image, you can have videos, dynamic animations, or even interactive scenes running in the background of your desktop.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to use animated wallpaper in Windows 11 step by step, covering different methods, popular tools, and troubleshooting tips so you can make your desktop look truly unique.

📝 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)

  • Windows 11 doesn’t natively support animated wallpapers, but third-party apps make it possible.

  • You can use tools like Lively Wallpaper (free), Wallpaper Engine (paid), or DeskScapes.

  • Animated wallpapers can be set using videos, GIFs, or interactive scenes.

  • You should balance performance and aesthetics — some live wallpapers may use extra CPU/GPU.

  • Setting up is quick and beginner-friendly with the right tool.

Why Use Animated Wallpapers in Windows 11?

Before we jump into the how-to, let’s talk about the why.

  • 🎨 Personalization: Bring your desktop to life with moving backgrounds.

  • 🎥 Dynamic visuals: Use GIFs, videos, or 3D animations to make your workspace inspiring.

  • ⚡ Motivation: Play a looping video of nature, space, or motivational clips.

  • 👨‍💻 Aesthetic productivity: Make your PC feel more futuristic and immersive.

Imagine working with the Northern Lights, a futuristic cityscape, or your favorite anime clip glowing in the background — way cooler than just a blue wallpaper, right?

Does Windows 11 Have Built-in Support for Live Wallpapers?

The short answer: ❌ No.
Windows 11 (like Windows 10) doesn’t support animated wallpapers by default.

👉 But here’s the good news: third-party apps make it possible — safely and easily.

Best Tools to Set Animated Wallpaper in Windows 11

Here are the most reliable apps you can use:

Tool Price Features Best For
Lively Wallpaper Free Open-source, supports videos, GIFs, HTML Beginners
Wallpaper Engine ~$3.99 (Steam) Huge community library, interactive wallpapers Power users
DeskScapes ~$6.00 Animated wallpapers with effects Casual users
RainWallpaper Free/Paid Lightweight, supports Rainmeter widgets Customization lovers

Method 1: How to Use Animated Wallpaper with Lively Wallpaper (Free)

One of the most popular free apps is Lively Wallpaper. It’s open-source, lightweight, and easy to use.

Step 1: Download and Install Lively Wallpaper

  1. Open the Microsoft Store.

  2. Search for Lively Wallpaper.

  3. Click Get and install it.

Step 2: Launch and Explore Wallpapers

  • Open the app — you’ll see a library of animated wallpapers (nature, space, abstract, etc.).

  • Click on any wallpaper to apply it instantly.

Step 3: Add Your Own Animated Wallpaper

  1. In the app, click the + (Add Wallpaper) button.

  2. Choose a video file (.mp4, .mov) or GIF from your PC.

  3. The app will set it as your desktop background.

Step 4: Adjust Settings

  • Right-click the taskbar icon → Settings.

  • Configure performance (pause when full screen apps are running, reduce FPS, etc.).

  • This ensures your system stays smooth while gaming or working.

Method 2: How to Use Animated Wallpaper with Wallpaper Engine (Paid)

If you want professional-grade animated wallpapers, Wallpaper Engine is worth the small price.

Step 1: Buy and Install

  1. Open Steam and search for Wallpaper Engine.

  2. Purchase (~$3.99) and install it.

Step 2: Explore the Workshop

  • Wallpaper Engine has a huge community library of wallpapers.

  • Browse categories like anime, gaming, nature, futuristic, abstract, 3D.

  • Download and apply wallpapers instantly.

Step 3: Customize

  • Adjust resolution, playback speed, effects, and interactions.

  • You can even set multiple monitors with different wallpapers.

Step 4: Use Your Own Files

  • Import your own videos, GIFs, or even HTML web pages as wallpapers.

💡 Pro Tip: Wallpaper Engine automatically pauses animations when you launch full-screen apps, so it won’t impact gaming performance.

Method 3: How to Use Animated Wallpaper with DeskScapes

DeskScapes is another popular tool designed for casual users.

Key Features:

  • Pre-loaded animated wallpapers.

  • Ability to apply special effects (blur, color, filters).

  • Supports static + animated wallpapers combo.

How to Set Up:

  1. Download DeskScapes from Stardock’s official website.

  2. Install and launch the program.

  3. Browse the library or add your own video/GIF.

  4. Click Apply to Desktop.

Method 4: RainWallpaper (for Custom Widgets + Animated Backgrounds)

If you love deep customization:

  • RainWallpaper supports moving wallpapers with widgets (clocks, weather, system stats).

  • Perfect for tech enthusiasts who want an interactive desktop.

Setup:

  1. Download from RainWallpaper’s official site.

  2. Install and pick a theme pack.

  3. Customize widgets + wallpaper layout.

Performance Considerations: Will Animated Wallpapers Slow Down Windows 11?

This is a common concern.

The answer: It depends.

  • Light wallpapers (simple animations, small GIFs) → negligible impact.

  • Heavy 3D wallpapers or 4K looping videos → may use more CPU/GPU.

👉 Tips to minimize performance impact:

  • Enable pause on fullscreen apps (most wallpaper apps support this).

  • Lower resolution or FPS in settings.

  • Avoid running multiple resource-heavy apps together.

How to Remove Animated Wallpaper and Go Back to Normal

Don’t worry, you can always revert to a static wallpaper.

  1. Right-click desktop → Personalize.

  2. Select Background → Choose Picture or Solid Color.

  3. Disable/exit the wallpaper app.

Pros and Cons of Using Animated Wallpapers in Windows 11

Pros Cons
Unique personalization Can use extra CPU/GPU
Wide variety (videos, GIFs, interactive) Some apps are paid
Dynamic, modern look May affect battery life (laptops)
Community-shared wallpapers Needs third-party apps

Conclusion

Setting up animated wallpaper in Windows 11 is a simple yet powerful way to transform your PC experience. While Windows doesn’t support live wallpapers out of the box, free tools like Lively Wallpaper and paid options like Wallpaper Engine make it effortless.

If you want a lightweight free solution → go with Lively Wallpaper.
If you want advanced customization & huge library → invest in Wallpaper Engine.

So, go ahead — give your desktop life and let it reflect your personality!

FAQs: How to Use Animated Wallpaper in Windows 11

1. Does Windows 11 support animated wallpapers by default?
No, you need a third-party app like Lively Wallpaper or Wallpaper Engine.

2. Is Lively Wallpaper free to use?
Yes, it’s completely free and available on the Microsoft Store.

3. Will animated wallpapers affect gaming performance?
Most apps pause wallpapers during full-screen gaming, so performance impact is minimal.

4. Can I use GIFs as live wallpapers in Windows 11?
Yes, apps like Lively Wallpaper and Wallpaper Engine support GIFs.

5. Which app is best for beginners?
Lively Wallpaper is best for beginners, while Wallpaper Engine is better for advanced users.

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