How do I add a video as wallpaper?

Setting a video as your desktop wallpaper allows for a dynamic and engaging background, bringing movement and a personalized touch to your computer screen. While not natively supported by all operating systems without extra steps, it's achievable using third-party software and specific playback features.

How to Add a Video as Your Desktop Wallpaper

Adding a video as your desktop wallpaper can transform your static background into a lively, immersive experience. This guide will walk you through the process for various operating systems, primarily focusing on popular and accessible methods.

1. For Windows Users

Windows does not natively support video wallpapers without additional software. However, several reliable options are available, with VLC Media Player being a popular and free choice.

A. Using VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a versatile, open-source media player that can also be used to set videos as your desktop background.

Steps to Set Video Wallpaper with VLC:

Download and Install VLC: If you don't already have it, download and install the latest version of VLC Media Player from its official website.
Open Your Video: Launch VLC Media Player and open the video file you wish to use as your wallpaper. You can do this by going to Media > Open File or dragging your video into the VLC window.
Set as Wallpaper: Once the video is playing, right-click the playback window, then hover over the "Video" option in the context menu, and click "Set as Wallpaper."
- The video will now play as your desktop background.
Loop the Video (Optional): To make the video play continuously, go to Playback > Repeat All or click the loop button in the VLC controls.
Minimize VLC: Minimize the VLC window, but do not close it. The video wallpaper will continue to play in the background.

Important Considerations for VLC:

Performance: Running a video wallpaper, especially a high-resolution one, can consume CPU and GPU resources, potentially impacting overall system performance, particularly on older machines.
Icons: Desktop icons may appear over the video, sometimes making them harder to see.
Persistence: The video wallpaper will stop if you close VLC or restart your computer. You'll need to manually restart VLC and set the video as wallpaper again after a reboot. For more persistence, consider dedicated wallpaper software.

B. Using Dedicated Wallpaper Software for Windows

For a more robust and persistent solution, dedicated software offers enhanced features, better performance optimization, and easier management.

Lively Wallpaper (Free & Open Source): Available on the Microsoft Store, Lively allows you to set various animated wallpapers, including local video files, web pages, and even GIFs. It's user-friendly and designed for desktop integration.
Push Wallpaper (Paid): A lightweight application specifically designed to turn your videos into animated desktop backgrounds with minimal resource usage.
DeskScapes (Paid): Part of Stardock's suite of desktop customization tools, DeskScapes offers extensive features for animated wallpapers (Dream files) and allows you to create your own from video files.

2. For macOS Users

macOS does not offer native support for video wallpapers. To achieve this, you'll need third-party applications.

Live Wallpaper (Paid): Available on the Mac App Store, this application allows you to use videos as your desktop background with customizable settings.
iWallpaper (Free/Paid): Another option from the Mac App Store that provides a collection of live wallpapers and the ability to use your own videos.
Wallpaper Engine (via Boot Camp/Parallels): While Wallpaper Engine is a very popular choice for Windows, Mac users can potentially run the Windows version through virtualization software like Parallels Desktop or by installing Windows via Boot Camp.

3. For Linux Users

Linux distributions offer flexibility, and video wallpapers can be set using various tools, depending on your desktop environment.

Komorebi (Free & Open Source): A highly regarded application for Linux that provides beautiful animated wallpapers, including the ability to use video files. It's typically installed via a .deb package or from source.
Xwinwrap: A command-line utility that allows you to wrap any application (like a video player) to the root window (desktop background). It requires a video player that can play in the root window, such as MPlayer or MPV.

General Tips for Video Wallpapers

Video Format: Most software supports common video formats like MP4, MOV, WMV, and WebM. Using a highly compressed format can help with performance.
Resolution: Match the video resolution to your monitor's resolution for the best visual quality and to avoid unnecessary scaling that could consume more resources.
Power Consumption: On laptops, running a video wallpaper can significantly increase battery drain. Consider pausing or disabling it when on battery power.
Silence: Ensure your video wallpaper has no audio, or mute it, to avoid unwanted sounds.
Performance Impact: Monitor your system's CPU and RAM usage after setting a video wallpaper. If performance drops significantly, consider using a shorter, lower-resolution video or static wallpaper.

By choosing the right tool for your operating system and optimizing your video files, you can enjoy a dynamic and personalized desktop experience.