Desktop wallpapers are overnice to expect at, only they tin can be a little static. Information technology'southward time to stop all of that and prepare a video wallpaper instead.

Several tools are bachelor for this, each with slightly differing results. Simply any your platform, be it Windows x, macOS, Linux or Chrome Os, you lot should detect 1 that works for you.

Select a Video for Your Desktop Background

Before you get started setting a video equally a desktop background, you lot demand to spend a few moments because which video clip you wish to utilize.

Different types of videos are suitable for dissimilar purposes. For example, if you just want to enjoy your favorite movie while you work or browse the web, simply cull a video of a suitable length.

If, however, you actually want an eye-catching desktop background, and then selecting a shorter clip would be more advisable, peculiarly if it'southward something that will be hitting when looped. Video clips and GIFs can both be used.

Here are four ways to set a video wallpaper for your desktop. These options can piece of work on Windows 10, macOS, Linux, and Chrome Os.

i. Prepare a Video Background on Windows With Push button Video Wallpaper

Set a video as the Windows 10 desktop background with PUSH

Nosotros reckon that the video wallpaper app gives the best results, and information technology'south easy to use. On the downside, it's non gratis (costing around $10 to buy). However, you do go a complimentary trial.

Begin by heading to the site and downloading Button Video Wallpaper. Run the EXE file to install, and and then launch the app. Instantaneously, your desktop groundwork will be transformed every bit the app runs, displaying a demo video prune on a loop.

To modify this:

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

Other controls include a shuffle button, the option to change video intervals, and a volume/mute button. This could prove useful for controlling sound levels when you might prefer to be working. Playlists of videos for a video wallpaper can too be created.

Create video wallpaper playlists

The upshot is a smooth, full screen desktop video wallpaper background, with app windows and icons sitting in the foreground. PUSH Video Wallpaper is a great option to gear up a video equally your Windows desktop background.

Download: Push Video Wallpaper for Windows

2. Prepare a Video as Your Wallpaper With VLC

Another way creating a desktop background video is thanks to that most versatile of desktop media players, the VLC media actor. Bachelor from VideoLAN.org, the VLC media player is available for all operating systems.

In theory, this method volition 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 upwards VLC Media Role player to play videos as a desktop is straightforward. In older versions, nonetheless, you'll need to:

  1. Open Tools > Preferences > Videos and set the Show Settings box to All.
  2. Next, look for the Output setting and select DirectX (DirectDraw) video output in the drib-downwardly carte.
  3. Click Save, so exit VLC and browse to the video clip you want to apply as a groundwork
  4. Right-click the clip and play information technology in VLC media player.
  5. Every bit it plays, correct-click on the player window and cull Video > Set equally Wallpaper. Alternatively, click Video > Prepare 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 Video, and click DirectX Wallpaper again to remove the check. And then exit the program.

Nevertheless, for more contempo versions of VLC media player, simply right click the video and select Video > Fix every bit wallpaper.

However, the VLC solution may not suit you. Although the video goes into full-screen mode and you tin can still access your Windows toolbar and Showtime button, desktop icons and shortcuts are missing.

It's more of a modified full-screen mode than a desktop background.

iii. Set a Video Wallpaper Using YouTube

Set a video as a desktop background with YouTube

If the results from VLC media thespian don't meet your requirements, there are diverse alternatives of varying complexity.

Your all-time pick is probably YouTube, which again will work with Windows 10, macOS, Linux, and Chrome Os.

To set a YouTube video as a desktop wallpaper:

  • Open YouTube.com and select your video.
  • Play the clip then set information technology to full screen.
  • Alt-Tab through the open apps and identify them on meridian of the video.

The video and then becomes the background. Note that once more in this scenario, it is not a true desktop background as there are no desktop icons and shortcuts. Hit Esc to get out the full-screen view.

4. Set a Windows Video Desktop Groundwork With Desktop Live Wallpaper+

Set a video as the Windows 10 desktop background

A fourth pick is for Windows 10 and uses a tool available from the Windows Store. Desktop Live Wallpaper+ puts you in total control of the images, GIFs, and videos that play on your desktop background.

Install it using the link below, or by opening the Windows Store on your estimator and searching for "desktop live wallpaper."

Download: Desktop Live Wallpaper+ (Free)

Later installing, yous'll find Desktop Live Wallpaper+ in the Start menu, under Recently Added.

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

  1. Click Add Photos/Videos.
  2. Click Pick from PC to browse to where your video backgrounds are stored (the app also provides video download resources).
  3. Select each video, image, or GIF y'all want to use equally a background.
  4. Click Utilise Changes.
Find videos to set as a Windows 10 desktop background

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

Utilize the Settings tool to adjust Photo Duration and Utilize 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 x desktop:

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

The app will then close.

Take Your Desktop Theming to the Next Level

Yous probably know of diverse ways to customize your desktop, from simply irresolute the background flick to moving the taskbar. But adding a video every bit the desktop background is the terminal stage of customization.

If you oasis't tried it already, now is surely the time. You accept four options:

  • PUSH Video Wallpaper for Windows.
  • VLC Media Role player for Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS.
  • YouTube for Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome Bone.
  • Desktop Alive Wallpapers for Windows.

VLC is probably the all-time solution for this, which should come equally no surprise given how versatile it is equally a media player.

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About The Writer

Christian Cawley (1596 Manufactures Published)

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

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