Desktop wallpapers are nice to look at, simply they can be a footling static. It'southward fourth dimension to end all of that and set a video wallpaper instead.

Several tools are available for this, each with slightly differing results. Just whatever your platform, be it Windows x, macOS, Linux or Chrome Os, you should notice 1 that works for y'all.

Select a Video for Your Desktop Background

Earlier yous get started setting a video as a desktop background, you demand to spend a few moments because which video clip you wish to use.

Different types of videos are suitable for unlike purposes. For case, if you just want to savor your favorite movie while you lot work or browse the web, simply choose a video of a suitable length.

If, however, y'all really want an heart-catching desktop background, then selecting a shorter prune would be more advisable, specially if information technology'south something that volition be hit when looped. Video clips and GIFs tin can both be used.

Hither are 4 ways to gear up a video wallpaper for your desktop. These options can piece of work on Windows x, macOS, Linux, and Chrome Bone.

i. Gear up a Video Background on Windows With PUSH Video Wallpaper

Set a video as the Windows 10 desktop background with PUSH

We reckon that the video wallpaper app gives the best results, and it's piece of cake to use. On the downside, it'southward not complimentary (costing effectually $10 to buy). All the same, you exercise get a free trial.

Begin past heading to the site and downloading PUSH Video Wallpaper. Run the EXE file to install, and so launch the app. Instantaneously, your desktop background will be transformed as the app runs, displaying a demo video clip on a loop.

To change this:

  1. Open the PUSH Video Wallpaper item from the taskbar.
  2. Click the + symbol to browse for a new clip.
  3. Select this to set a background.
  4. For short clips apply the loop tool in the controls.

Other controls include a shuffle push button, the option to alter video intervals, and a volume/mute button. This could bear witness useful for controlling sound levels when you might adopt to be working. Playlists of videos for a video wallpaper can besides be created.

Create video wallpaper playlists

The outcome is a smooth, total screen desktop video wallpaper background, with app windows and icons sitting in the foreground. PUSH Video Wallpaper is a cracking selection to set a video every bit your Windows desktop background.

Download: PUSH Video Wallpaper for Windows

2. Set a Video as Your Wallpaper With VLC

Some other fashion creating a desktop background video is thanks to that most versatile of desktop media players, the VLC media player. Available from VideoLAN.org, the VLC media player is available for all operating systems.

In theory, this method will piece of work on various Windows, macOS, Linux, even ChromeOS, BSD variants, and Solaris.

Download: VLC Media Player for Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS

How to Create a Desktop Background Video Using VLC

Setting upward VLC Media Player to play videos as a desktop is straightforward. In older versions, however, you'll need to:

  1. Open up Tools > Preferences > Videos and set up the Show Settings box to All.
  2. Adjacent, await for the Output setting and select DirectX (DirectDraw) video output in the drop-downwards menu.
  3. Click Save, and so exit VLC and browse to the video clip you want to utilize as a background
  4. Right-click the prune and play it in VLC media player.
  5. As it plays, right-click on the player window and choose Video > Set as Wallpaper. Alternatively, click Video > Ready as Wallpaper from the menu.
Set a video wallpaper on any desktop with VLC Player

Once you're done with the video, maximize VLC media player, open up Video, and click DirectX Wallpaper again to remove the check. Then exit the program.

However, for more than recent versions of VLC media player, but right click the video and select Video > Set as wallpaper.

Nevertheless, the VLC solution may not adapt you lot. Although the video goes into total-screen mode and yous can still access your Windows toolbar and Offset push, desktop icons and shortcuts are missing.

Information technology's more of a modified total-screen mode than a desktop background.

3. Set a Video Wallpaper Using YouTube

Set a video as a desktop background with YouTube

If the results from VLC media player don't run across your requirements, there are various alternatives of varying complexity.

Your best selection is probably YouTube, which again will work with Windows x, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.

To prepare a YouTube video as a desktop wallpaper:

  • Open YouTube.com and select your video.
  • Play the clip then fix it to full screen.
  • Alt-Tab through the open up apps and identify them on acme of the video.

The video and then becomes the background. Note that over again in this scenario, it is not a true desktop background as at that place are no desktop icons and shortcuts. Hit Esc to exit the full-screen view.

four. Gear up a Windows Video Desktop Groundwork With Desktop Live Wallpaper+

Set a video as the Windows 10 desktop background

A 4th selection is for Windows 10 and uses a tool available from the Windows Store. Desktop Alive Wallpaper+ puts you lot in full control of the images, GIFs, and videos that play on your desktop groundwork.

Install information technology using the link below, or past opening the Windows Store on your computer and searching for "desktop live wallpaper."

Download: Desktop Live Wallpaper+ (Gratuitous)

Later on installing, you'll find Desktop Live Wallpaper+ in the Starting time menu, under Recently Added.

With Desktop Live Wallpaper+ running, setting a video wallpaper for Windows 10 is uncomplicated:

  1. Click Add together Photos/Videos.
  2. Click Pick from PC to browse to where your video backgrounds are stored (the app likewise provides video download resource).
  3. Select each video, paradigm, or GIF you want to utilise equally a groundwork.
  4. Click Use Changes.
Find videos to set as a Windows 10 desktop background

All the videos in the folder will play in turn. Want to modify this? Simply click Add Photos/Videos to add together more from your PC and click Apply Changes.

Employ the Settings tool to conform Photo Duration and Use Transitions, and toggle Video Sound and AutoStart.

Set a video as the Windows 10 desktop background

If you desire to stop the video background on your Windows 10 desktop:

  1. Get to the System Tray.
  2. Right-click Desktop Alive Wallpaper+.
  3. Click Exit.
Stop Windows 10 desktop video backgrounds

The app will and so close.

Accept Your Desktop Theming to the Next Level

Yous probably know of diverse means to customize your desktop, from simply changing the background motion picture to moving the taskbar. Simply adding a video equally the desktop background is the final stage of customization.

If you haven't tried information technology already, now is surely the time. You accept four options:

  • Push button Video Wallpaper for Windows.
  • VLC Media Player for Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome Os.
  • YouTube for Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS.
  • Desktop Live Wallpapers for Windows.

VLC is probably the best solution for this, which should come up every bit no surprise given how versatile it is as a media histrion.

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About The Writer

Christian Cawley (1591 Manufactures Published)

Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Really Useful Podcast producer, with extensive experience in desktop and software back up. A contributor to Linux Format magazine, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.

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