If you want to set up Live wallpapers & animate desktop backgrounds in Windows 10, you could do it, however, the process isn’t as simple as you may assume. People desire this as it lets one make better use of their external screens or a TV, that the computer is connected to. Though displaying a live fireplace or a virtual fishbowl on those screens while they are not being used sounds and will look cool, it comes with its drawbacks.
What are the Drawbacks to Live Wallpapers & Animated Desktops?
- Drains your battery if you’re using it on a laptop, if the power isn’t plugged in
- Might put additional demand on the CPU
- Might act as more of a distraction than a help when it comes to productivity
- There are numerous ways in which you can add live wallpapers and animated backgrounds on Windows 10.
Desktop Backgrounds in Windows 10
This app is downloadable from the Microsoft Store. It lets you use any video file as life wallpaper. It supports up to three monitors, it will only play when you’re not using a particular desktop. You can only use Windows Media Viewer video files as the live wallpaper. If you want to be able to use other video formats, you require the pro version.
Use VLC Media Player for Live Wallpapers
You can use the free VLC media player, yes, it is not a well-known way, but it gets the work done. Launch the video in the player. Select Video from the menu, then clicks on Set as Wallpaper. The video will be then played in full-screen mode. If you press the Windows key, the taskbar along with any other application you have open will show in front of the full-screen video. The video doesn’t loop. VLC can be best used to set a live wallpaper from a movie or a very long animated scene.
PUSH Video Wallpaper
It lets you play videos from your computer, from YouTube, or even an animated GIF. It supports Windows Vista Ultimate Dream scene video wallpapers. You can find free collections of these online. Use the site’s download page to download the app.
Click the plus icon to browse any video file. After you select it, it’ll be added to your playlist. Select that file, and it will play it as your live desktop background.
Those were the free apps, now let’s look at some paid ones.
Wallpaper Engine
The app grants you the ability to either load from an existing live wallpaper collection. Or you can animate your images using the Wallpaper Engine Editor, thus creating your live wallpapers. You also can use your videos or import them. You can get the app for just $3.99.
Stardock DeskScapes 10
It is a desktop app offered by Stardock. No editing features are offered, however, the collection of desktops you can choose from is significant. Use the Local tab to see the included desktops. You can use the videos that you’ve saved on your computer. Use the Online tab to see the desktops that DeskScapes has included. You can get it for $4.99.
Plaster
The app lets you use an animated GIF, video/web pages as your live wallpaper. This is built on the Chromium open-source browser; thus, it incorporates a few of the advanced technologies like WebGL and Canvas. You also have the ability to import DreamScenes, WebGL video. OR You can bring in images you’ve captured with your camera. You can get Plastuer for just $5.
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