How to Set an Animated Wallpaper on Windows 10
You can set animated live wallpaper on Windows 10 using the various app. Below we have shown the possible methods to set moving wallpaper or GIF on Windows Desktop
How to Set an Animated Wallpaper on Windows 10 Method 1: Use VLC Media Player App Method 2: Use Third-party Applications 1. BioniX Wallpaper Changer 2. Desktop Live Wallpapers 3. Lively Wallpaper 4. WinDynamicDesktop 5. PUSH Video Wallpaper 6. Rainmeter 7. Wallpaper Engine 8. RainWallpaper 9. Stardock DeskScapes 11 10. Plauster
Method 1: Use VLC Media Player App
The VLC Media Player is a video player app and this popular app is an answer to the question of how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10. It is suggested to use any video of a longer duration like a movie to set it as the Wallpaper using this app. Setting a live wallpaper using the VLC Media Player is similar to using the app in the background with the only difference being that you can view the movie in a full-screen mode and work on any other software. The steps required to set the movie file as the Desktop wallpaper are explained below.
Press the Windows + E keys simultaneously to launch the File Explorer and browse for the movie file on your PC.
Select the movie file and right-click on it, then hover to Open with option and select VLC media player.
On the menu available at the top, click on the Video tab and select Set as Wallpaper option to set the movie as the live wallpaper. Note: You can alternatively right-click on the video file, move your cursor over the Video tab in the list, and select the option Set as Wallpaper in the adjacent menu.
You can now view the video file selected as the live wallpaper in the background according to the Aspect Ratio you have chosen. Note: If you wish to change the Aspect Ratio of the movie, press the A key on the VLC Media Player app. Advantages of VLC Media Player The advantages of using the VLC Media Player to set live Wallpaper are listed below in this section.
The app is safe and free to use for setting a wallpaper as it comes pre-installed on most PC and the process of setting the wallpaper is simple. You can use the app to set any movie file and view it in full-screen mode without any issue.
Limitations of VLC Media Player Though the VLC Media Player is an effective app to set the wallpaper, it has a few limitations as described below.
You need to have the VLC Media Player running in the background to set the movie as the wallpaper. The background processes running for the app may slow down your PC and give some lags. The app doesn’t let you watch the videos on loop and you need to set a video file as background every time afresh.
Also Read: How to Change Theme, Lock Screen & Wallpaper in Windows 10
Method 2: Use Third-party Applications
The method describes the third-party applications that can be installed on your Windows 10 PC to use animated videos as the Desktop Wallpapers. As a pre-requisite, you are required to have a GIF image by using any of the free online services like Giphy. Using third-party applications to set an animated wallpaper on your PC can have the following limitations.
If you are using the apps on a Laptop without power plugged in, the app may drain your Laptop battery, hence using the apps on a PC will bypass the battery usage restrictions. The app might require additional demand on your CPU such as higher RAM storage, better graphics card, etc.
1. BioniX Wallpaper Changer
The Bionix Wallpaper Changer is a perfect answer to the question of how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10. Step I: Setup BioniX Wallpaper Changer The method to set up the BioniX app and use it to set an animated GIF as Wallpaper is explained here.
Open the official website of BioniX Wallpaper Changer on the Google Chrome app.
Click on the Download button on the BioniX home page.
Then, click on the downloaded file and follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
Run the BioniX Wallpaper Changer software and select the basic layout option on the screen. Note: The basic layout view will give you an easy User Interface for working on the app than the more detailed view. Step II: Set Wallpaper The process of setting a live wallpaper using the BioniX Wallpaper changer is discussed below.
Navigate to the Playlists tab on the app and click on the clear playlist button on the screen. Note: This option will let you clear all the playlists you have saved on the app. You can avoid this step if you wish to use the GIF files for future reference.
After the Playlists tab is cleared, drag and drop the selected GIF file from the location or browse for it on the screen.
After the required GIF is available on the Playlists tab, double-click on the file, and it will be set as the animated wallpaper on your PC. Advantages of BioniX Wallpaper Changer App The advantages of using the BioniX Wallpaper Changer app are listed below as:
The BioniX Wallpaper Changer is a free and handy app that makes complicated processes easier on the interface. A notable feature of this app is that it supports multiple monitors, you can use this app to have the same GIF as the animated wallpaper on all desktops.
Limitations of BioniX Wallpaper Changer App The limitations of the BioniX Wallpaper Changer app are listed below as:
A drawback of using this app is that it is not compatible with the older versions of Windows. To use the app, you need to run the app on boot which causes a lag in startup time on your PC. Though the app supports multiple monitors, the app slows down all the basic processes on your PC. The app will slow down the usage speed if you have installed heavy graphics software on your PC. The app needs you to have a good CPU, a fast SSD or HDD, and a RAM with more amount of storage space to function effectively.
Also Read: Prevent Users from Changing Desktop Wallpaper in Windows 10
2. Desktop Live Wallpapers
The Desktop Live Wallpapers is an app that is released by Microsoft and is free to use the app. The app is an answer to the question of how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10 if you are looking for an app that is safe and trusted. You can also set moving wallpaper on Windows Desktop. Step I: Setup Desktop Live Wallpapers The setup of the Desktop Live Wallpapers app is simple and you can install it either from the Microsoft Store on your PC or using the official Microsoft website.
Open the official Microsoft webpage of the Desktop Live Wallpaper app on the Google Chrome app.
Click on the Get in Store app button on the page to get the app.
Click on the Install button to install the purchased app on your PC.
Run the executable file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the app on your PC. Step II: Set Wallpaper The method to use the Desktop Live Wallpapers app is described below as follows.
Launch the Desktop Live Wallpapers app using the search bar and clicking on the app result.
Click on the Home tab at the top-left corner of the app and click on the Browse Folder button at the bottom-left of the page to browse for the downloaded live wallpaper.
Browse for the folder in the window, select the folder in the location, and click on the OK button to select the file. Note: You need to select the folder on which you have saved the video files and not select the individual video file.
If you wish to add new video files to the background, move them to the folder, and click on the refresh button at the bottom-right corner of the page. Advantages of Desktop Live Wallpaper App The advantages of using the Desktop Live Wallpaper app to set an animated or live wallpaper are explained in this section.
The app will support you to have live wallpapers on up to three multiple desktops on your PC. The live wallpaper will get played only when you are not using the particular desktop, which allows you to conserve the battery power and enhances CPU life usage.
Limitations of Desktop Live Wallpaper App The limitations of using the Desktop Live Wallpaper app to set moving pictures as desktop background are discussed below.
The free version of the app only supports video files of the WMV or the Windows Media Viewer format. You may need to use an online resource to convert the video file to WMV format to use the file in the free version. You need to purchase the Pro software to set video files of format other than WMV as the desktop wallpaper.
3. Lively Wallpaper
The Lively Wallpaper is an app and is an open-source Windows Store app for setting animated wallpaper on Windows 10 PC. Step I: Install Lively Wallpaper To install the Lively Wallpaper app, you need to have a Microsoft account and you can install it from the Microsoft Store.
Open the official website of the Lively Wallpaper app on the Google Chrome app and click on the Get in Store app button.
Click on the Install button on the next window and follow the instructions in the wizard to install the app. Step II: Set Wallpaper The answer to the question of how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10 is described below.
Search for the Lively Wallpaper on the search bar and click on the app result to launch the app.
Click on the + button on the left sidebar of the app and click on the Browse button on the Wallpaper screen. Note: You can alternatively enter the URL of the YouTube video to import the video.
Browse the video file in the window, select it, and click on the Open button to select the file. Step III: Customize Wallpaper
On the Library pop-up window, enter the title of the wallpaper and click on the OK button.
Click on the Library button on the sidebar, right-click on the wallpaper, and select the option Customize Wallpaper. Note: You can adjust the settings like the Brightness of the wallpaper on the window.
Click on the Settings button, navigate to the Performance tab, and modify the settings in the window like Pause. Advantages of Lively Wallpaper App The advantages of using the Lively Wallpaper are as follows:
You can import the videos from the web or the files saved locally on your PC. The app gives the ability to customize the wallpapers and modify the settings.
Also Read: How to Change Wallpaper on Windows 11
4. WinDynamicDesktop
The WinDynamicDesktop is a free app that allows you to set animated wallpapers from the Microsoft Store. Follow the given steps to set moving wallpaper on Windows Desktop. Step I: Install WinDynamic Desktop The answer to the question of how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10 is discussed below.
Open the WinDynamicDesktop website on the Google Chrome app and click on the Get in Store app button.
Install the app by following the on-screen instructions and selecting a theme in the list.
Select the Use Windows location service to determine times in the Configure Schedule window. Advantages of WinDynamicDesktop App The advantages are discussed below:
You can set the theme as per the time of the day and customize it using the editor. You can import and edit the videos on your PC using the app.
5. PUSH Video Wallpaper
If you are searching for the answer to how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10 from other sources, then the PUSH Video Wallpaper might be suited for you. Follow the given steps to set moving wallpaper on Windows Desktop. Step I: Setup PUSH Video Wallpaper The process of setup and using the PUSH Video Wallpaper app is very simple and easy as described below.
Navigate to the PUSH Video Wallpaper app official site.
Click on the Download button on the home page to download the app on your PC.
Run the .exe file and follow the instructions on the installation wizard to install the app on your PC.
Launch the PUSH Video Wallpaper app on your PC by searching for it on the search bar and clicking on the app result. Step II: Set Saved Video File as Live Wallpaper The method to set a video file saved locally on your PC as the live wallpaper is explained here.
Click on the Add or the + button at the bottom-right corner of the app to add the video file to the app.
On the next window, browse and locate the video file, and click on the file to add it to the Playlist.
Select the video file in the Playlist to set it as the live wallpaper on your PC. Step III: Set YouTube Video as Wallpaper The method to set a YouTube video as the live wallpaper using the app is discussed below.
Click on the Add link button at the bottom-right corner of the app home page. Note: The Add Link button is depicted by a plus over the link and is available next to the Add button on the left.
Copy the URL of the YouTube video from the address bar on the Google Chrome app using the Ctrl+ C keys simultaneously.
Paste the URL of the video in the bar available on the next window by pressing the keys Ctrl + V keys simultaneously and click on the OK button to set it as the Wallpaper.
You can use other functions on the selected video file on the app, you can use the buttons on the upper-right portion of the app home page. Note: The buttons are available next to the Playlist drop-down menu on the app home page.
The Order button lets you play all the files in the Playlist in order of selection; The Shuffle button lets you play videos in a shuffled way; The Loop button is used to create a loop for a particular video on the Desktop; and, The Interval button provides the custom option to set a particular time interval for a specific video file.
Advantages of PUSH Video Wallpaper App The advantages of using the PUSH Video Wallpaper app for setting a moving picture as wallpaper are elaborated below.
The notable feature of this app is the versatility of sources, for playing the video file, it offers. The app allows you to play videos from your PC or use online sources like YouTube. The app also supports Windows Vista Ultimate Dreamscene video wallpapers and it is easy to find the free collections online.
Also Read: How to Set Up Rainmeter Dual Monitor Skins on Windows 10
6. Rainmeter
If you are looking for a free and most used application, it must be the Rainmeter app. The app allows you to have simple animated wallpapers like Clocks, and this app is suitable for a basic interface. Step I: Install Rainmeter Skins The method of setting an animated wallpaper on your PC using the Rainmeter app requires you to have a skin downloaded beforehand.
Open the VisualSkins website on the Google Chrome app on your PC. Note: The VisualSkins website is the website used for downloading the Skins, you can use any of the websites to download the skin.
Click on any of the skin on the website and click on the DOWNLOAD button to download the skin on your PC.
Press the Windows + E keys together to open the File Explorer on your PC and browse for the skin on the Downloads folder.
Double-click on the .rmskin file to install the skin on your PC.
Select the option Apply included layout and click on the Install button to install the skin on your PC. Step II: Change Skins The process of how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10 is very simple using this app.
Open the official website of the Rainmeter app on the Google Chrome app on your PC.
Click on the Download button to download the app on the PC.
Run the executable file and follow the on-screen instructions on the installation wizard to install the app on your PC.
Select the Load included skins options in the app and double-click on the skin to install it on your PC. Advantages of Rainmeter App The advantage of using the Rainmeter app is that you can easily install the skins on your PC. The installation process is simple and you can alter the skins at any time.
7. Wallpaper Engine
The Wallpaper Engine app is a paid app and has features that let you have a good UI and customization features. You can set moving wallpaper on Windows Desktop by following the below steps. Step I: Install Steam The Wallpaper Engine is a paid app available on Steam. So, follow the steps below to install the Steam app before trying to use the Wallpaper Engine.
Open the official website of the Steam app on your default web browser and click on the Install Steam button on the top-right corner of the home page.
Click on the INSTALL STEAM button on the next page to download the Steam app on your PC.
Click on the downloaded SteamSetup.exe file in the bottom-left corner of the page to launch the Steam app on your PC.
Click on the Next button on the Steam Setup window to initiate the setup of your Steam app on your PC.
Select the language of your choice in the next window and click on the Next button in the wizard.
Select the destination folder of the Steam app by clicking on the Browse… button and clicking on the Install button to complete the installation of the app.
Click on the Finish button on the Completing Steam Setup window to complete the steam setup.
Create a new account or log in to your existing account using the login credentials on the Steam app.
Note: You can skip this section if you already have the Steam app installed on your PC. Step II: Install Wallpaper Engine App The answer to the question of how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10 is the Wallpaper Engine app.
- Open the official website for the Wallpaper Engine app on the Google Chrome app. Note: You can alternatively search for the Wallpaper Engine app on the Steam app and install it on your PC.
- Click on the Add to Cart button on the app and purchase the app on the Steam app.
Step III: Set Wallpaper The section will discuss the process of using the Wallpaper Engine app to set the live wallpaper on your PC.
- Navigate to the Discover and Workshop tabs and find new wallpapers on the screen. Note: You can also use the extensive search tool on the app to search for the wallpapers available.
- Click on the wallpaper you would like to use and click on the Subscribe button to use the animated background on your PC. Note 1: You can customize the animated wallpaper in the Wallpaper Engine Editor and change features like Animation speed, Audio, etc. Note 2: To set the wallpaper when the PC boots, go to Settings, go to the General tab, select the Start with Windows, and click on the Apply button. Advantages of Wallpaper Engine App The advantages of using the Wallpaper Engine are listed below in this section.
The app allows you to edit and animate the wallpapers in the live wallpaper collection using the Wallpaper Engine Editor and customize the live wallpapers. There are two options to add the videos in which you can add the live wallpapers either from your PC or import them from the web. The cost of the app isn’t expensive and the rate can be accepted considering the benefits offered by the app. The resource consumed by the app for its effective operation is low compared to other apps in the market with similar features. You can use the same live wallpapers on multiple Desktops by cloning the wallpaper on both monitors on your PC.
Also Read: Set Daily Bing Image As Wallpaper On Windows 10
8. RainWallpaper
The RainWallpaper is an app that lets you install the wallpapers easily. You can set moving wallpaper on Windows Desktop. Follow these steps to do so. Step I: Install RainWallpaper The answer to the question of how to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10 is simple.
- Install the Steam app on your PC as shown above.
- Click on the Add to Cart to install the RainWallpaper app using the official website.
Advantages of RainWallpaper App The advantages are listed below:
The native wallpaper editor allows you to edit the wallpapers installed. The massive built-in online library allows you to download the wallpaper with just a click. The app reduces memory usage by pausing the wallpaper if you are using another app.
9. Stardock DeskScapes 11
The Stardock DeskScapes 10 is a paid app that has a simple interface released by the Stardock in the name DeskScapes. Step I: Setup Stardock DeskScapes 11 The method of setting up the Stardock DeskScapes 10 app is explained in this section.
Open the official website of the Stardock DeskScapes 11 on the Google Chrome app.
Click on the Get it Now button on the page to start the installation process.
Run the .exe file and complete the installation process of the app on your PC. Step II: Set Wallpaper The app is suitable if you are looking for an essential app to set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10. You can also set moving wallpaper on Windows Desktop.
Launch the Stardock DeskScapes app on your PC by searching for the app on the search bar.
Click on the Local tab on the page to use the wallpapers downloaded on your PC. Note: Alternatively, you can click on the Online tab and import the videos from the web as your wallpaper. Advantages of Stardock DeskScapes App The advantages of using the app are listed below in this section:
There is a huge library of the wallpaper collection and you have numerous choices to choose from. The app allows you to install wallpapers from both online sources and videos saved locally on your PC. The app has a simple UI and is easy to use the app to set live wallpapers.
Limitations of Stardock DeskScapes App The limitations of using the app are as follows:
The app doesn’t let you edit the animated wallpapers which means that you cannot use the app to modify the wallpapers. The app is a bit pricey and offers minimal benefits compared to the price quoted.
Also Read: How to Enable Wallpaper Slideshow in Windows 10
10. Plauster
If you are looking for an app that gives you the option to have a paid and creative interface, you can use the Plauster app. The app is built on the Chromium open-source browser and it incorporates novel technologies like WebGL and Canvas. The process of setting up the Plauster app is simple and easy. Follow these steps to install the app, then set an animated wallpaper on Windows 10.
- Go to the official website of the Plauster app.
- Click on the BUY NOW FOR $5 button on the home page to purchase the app.
Advantages of Plauster App The advantages of using the Plauster app are explained in this section as follows.
The app allows you to use wallpapers from various sources which include videos saved locally on the PC. You can also import the videos from the DreamScenes and WebGL videos. The app lets you use a variety of videos like animated GIFs, videos, and web pages or the HTML5 websites as the live wallpaper. If you are using an application for a long time, the app will cut down the resource usage and you can save the battery power. The app remembers the wallpapers, so the next time you log in to your PC, the animated wallpaper will immediately be displayed. The price of the app is low compared to the benefits offered by the app for setting the live wallpapers.
Recommended:
25 Best API Testing Tools How to Install Windows 98 Icons in Windows 10 How to Go Full Screen on Windows 10 Fix Windows 10 Screen Dims Automatically
The article discusses the apps that can be used as results for how to set an Animated Wallpaper on Windows 10, how to set moving Wallpaper on Windows Desktop, or how to set Live Wallpapers as your Desktop Background. Please let us know your suggestions and queries in the comments section.
