Windows 11 will get support for video wallpapers - for the first time since DreamScene in Vista

Microsoft is preparing a feature that will allow you to set videos as desktop wallpaper in Windows 11 - without third-party software. It has already appeared in the latest test builds for Dev and Beta channel members. MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, and MKV - any of these videos can be set as a background that will automatically play when you view your desktop. There hasn't been an official announcement yet, so the feature is likely to be available to the general public in a few weeks.

How will it work?

The process of installing a video wallpaper will be as simple as for a regular image. Microsoft hasn't yet said how this will affect performance or battery life, but the feature is already being tested.

Historical context

Back in 2007, Windows Vista Ultimate had a feature called DreamScene that allowed you to set up video backgrounds. However, it was not included in subsequent versions of Windows, and users were forced to use third-party solutions such as Lively Wallpaper or Wallpaper Engine.