Windows 11 Insider builds add video wallpaper feature for animated desktops

Microsoft is testing a video wallpaper feature in Windows 11 Insider builds, giving users the ability to set MP4 or MKV video files as desktop backgrounds. When enabled, these videos will play whenever the desktop is visible. This will of course remind many of DreamScene in Windows Vista Ultimate edition, which also allowed using videos as backgrounds, but the feature was discontinued with the rollout of Windows 7.

The new native feature could lessen the need for external animated wallpaper tools like Wallpaper Engine, a widely popular app on Steam which has allowed users to add video wallpapers for years, consistently ranking among Steam’s top 10 most played applications and games due to strong demand.

Still, this new feature may provide an interesting alternative for several users since many have requested native animated wallpaper support directly from Microsoft.