Microsoft is preparing a long-requested addition to Windows 11, which is the native video wallpaper support.
The feature, currently live for Windows Insiders testing build 26220 and newer in both the Dev and Beta channels, lets users set looping videos as desktop backgrounds without relying on third-party apps.
For the first time since the short-lived DreamScene experiment on Windows Vista Ultimate, users can once again use video files such as .mp4, .m4v, .mov, .wmv, .avi, .mkv, and .webm as animated wallpapers.
The videos automatically play whenever the desktop is visible, with Microsoft integrating the capability into Settings > Personalisation > Background. Although the settings menu has yet to be fully updated to reflect video support, the underlying functionality is active.
This represents a comeback of a feature that many Windows fans have long wanted restored. DreamScene, introduced in 2007, never survived the transition to Windows 7 and was quietly abandoned.
In the absence of native support, users turned to third-party software like Wallpaper Engine or Lively Wallpaper. Wallpaper Engine, in particular, has become so popular that it regularly appears among the top 10 most-used applications on Steam, underlining the strong demand for desktop customisation.
Unlike Wallpaper Engine, however, Microsoft’s version strips away interactivity. Early testers report that this choice may be deliberate. Videos render through the Media Foundation framework and the Desktop Window Manager (DWM), both optimised to minimise the impact on power consumption and system resources. For users worried about performance drain, this is a notable difference.
The feature is not entirely new to Microsoft’s roadmap. Dynamic animated wallpapers had been under internal testing for Windows 11 for years, with prototypes surfacing earlier in 2024. They were originally expected to ship in 2023, but never reached the release version.
By moving forward now, Microsoft seems to be taking aim at a feature gap that has driven millions towards third-party solutions. With its own implementation, the company offers a simpler option for users who want moving backgrounds without the overhead or complexity of external apps.
We’d see if this will be enough to compete with the customisation depth of Wallpaper Engine. Meanwhile, Microsoft appears focused on delivering a lightweight, resource-friendly version that feels native to Windows 11, even if it sacrifices some advanced features.
Comments 1