Windows 11 cannot set a video as the desktop wallpaper on its own. The Background settings only offer Picture, Solid color, Slideshow and Windows spotlight. To use a moving wallpaper you need a wallpaper app; free open-source options such as Lively Wallpaper and paid ones such as Wallpaper Engine are the best known. Animated wallpapers use extra battery and some GPU power.
Quick Answer
Install a trusted wallpaper app from the Microsoft Store or the developer’s official site, open it, add your video file, and apply it to your desktop. Windows’ own settings cannot do this.
How to Set a Video as Wallpaper in Windows 11
- Choose a video wallpaper app. Prefer the Microsoft Store or the developer’s official site.
- Install and open the app.
- Use its Add or Import option to pick a video file, such as an MP4 on your PC.
- Choose which monitor and how the video should fill the screen.
- Apply it. Most apps pause the video automatically when a game or full-screen app is running.
- To go back to a still image, close the app’s wallpaper and set a picture in Settings, Personalization, Background.
Video Wallpaper Considerations
| Factor | Tip |
|---|---|
| Battery life | Pause the wallpaper on battery power |
| Performance | Use pause-on-full-screen settings |
| Source | Download apps from official sources only |
| File format | MP4 is the most widely supported |
| Multiple monitors | Most apps allow a different video per screen |
Troubleshooting
- Wallpaper stays black: update your graphics driver and check the app supports your video format.
- Fans spin up: lower the video resolution or frame rate in the app.
- Settings greyed out: personalization requires activation. See what you can change without activating Windows.
- For a still background, read how to change the Windows background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Windows 11 play a video wallpaper natively?
No. It supports pictures, colors, slideshows and spotlight only.
Are video wallpaper apps safe?
Reputable ones are. Avoid unknown download sites and bundled installers.
Does a live wallpaper slow down games?
Good apps pause while games run, so the impact is small.
Can I use a video on the lock screen?
No, the lock screen supports pictures, slideshows and spotlight only.
Summary
- Windows 11 has no built-in video wallpaper.
- Install a trusted wallpaper app.
- Add your video.
- Set pause options.
- Return to a picture in Settings when done.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.