How to Get Video Wallpapers for Your Desktop PC

Desktop wallpapers are nice to look at, but they can be a bit static.It's time to call it a day and set a video wallpaper instead.

There are several tools available for this, each with slightly different results.But no matter what your platform, whether it's Windows 10, macOS, Linux, or Chrome OS, you should find one that works for you.

Choose a video as your desktop background

Before you start setting up a video as your desktop background, you need to spend some time thinking about what kind of video clip you want to use.

Different types of video are suitable for different purposes.For example, if you just want to enjoy your favorite movie while working or browsing the web, just choose a suitable length video.

However, if you really want an eye-catching desktop background, a shorter piece would be more appropriate, especially if it's something that will stand out when played on a loop.Both video clips and GIFs will work.

Here are five ways to set a video wallpaper for your desktop.These options work on Windows 10, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.

1. Use PUSH video wallpaperSet Video Background on Windows

In our opinion, video wallpaper apps work best and are easy to use.On the downside, it's not free (costs about $10 to purchase).However, you can get a free trial.

First, head to the site and download PUSH video wallpaper.Run the EXE file to install and then launch the application.Instantly, your desktop background will change as the application runs, looping through a demo video clip.

To change this:

1. Open the PUSH Video Wallpaper project from the taskbar.

2. Click on the "+" symbol to browse for a new segment.

3. Select this to set a background.

4. For short clips, use the loop tool in the control.

Other controls include a shuffle button, an option to change the video interval, and volume/mute buttons.This can prove useful for controlling audio levels when you might prefer to work.It is also possible to create a video playlist of video wallpapers.

The result is a smooth, full-screen desktop video wallpaper background with application windows and icons in the foreground. PUSH Video Wallpaper is a great option for setting videos as your Windows desktop background.

Download: PUSH Video Wallpaper (free)

2. Use Desktop Live Wallpaper+ to set Windows video desktop background

The fourth option is for Windows 10, using a tool available from the Windows Store. Desktop Live Wallpaper+ gives you full control over the images, GIFs and videos that play on your desktop background.

Install it using the link below, or open the Windows Store on your PC and search for "desktop live wallpaper".

After installation, you'll find Desktop Live Wallpaper+ under "Recent Additions" in the Start menu.

After running Desktop Live Wallpaper+, setting a video wallpaper for Windows 10 is simple:

1. Click Add Photo/Video.

2. Click "Pick from PC" to browse where your video backgrounds are stored (the app also provides resources for video downloads).

3. Select each video, image or GIF you want to use as a background.

4. Click Apply Changes.

All videos in the folder will be played sequentially.Want to change that?Just click Add Photo/Video to add more photos/videos from your computer, then click Apply Changes.

Use the settings tool to adjust photo duration and use transitions, and toggle video sound and autostart.

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

1. Go to the system tray.

2. Right-click Desktop Live Wallpaper+.

3. Click Exit.

Then, the application will close.

Download: Desktop Live Wallpaper+ (free)

3. DeskScapes

The last method we have on this list for running video wallpapers on Windows is DeskScape from StarDock, an advanced desktop customization application that lets you change your wallpaper and screensaver for a more fulfilling user experience. experience.While the app isn't free, it does have a free 30-day trial.

While the app has many backgrounds and animated wallpapers to choose from, you can also create your own animated backgrounds relatively easily thanks to DreamMaker.

Once you've downloaded and installed the app, follow these steps:

Launch the app, enter your email address to activate the trial.

Go to your registration email above to confirm the trial subscription.

As soon as you do this, you can now run the DeskScape application.

As you can see, you can choose to pull your wallpaper locally from your computer or directly from the internet.To set a video wallpaper, switch to the Online tab, choose any video wallpaper you like, and click to download this background.Once the download is complete, switch to the Local tab and select the downloaded folder from the animations section of the application.

Finally, click on the video background and select Apply to my desktop.

Now, your desktop background will be changed forever.

Download: DeskScapes (free trial, paid version available)

4. Set the video as your wallpaper with VLC

Another way to create a desktop background video is through the most versatile desktop media player, VLC media player. VLC media player is available from VideoLAN.org and is available for all operating systems.

In theory, this approach should work on various Windows, macOS, Linux, and even ChromeOS, BSD variants, and Solaris.

Download: VLC Media Player (free)

How to Create a Desktop Background Video Using VLC

Setting up VLC media player to play video as a desktop is simple.However, in older versions you will need:

1. Open "Tools" > "Preferences" > "Video" and set the "Display Settings" box to "All".

2. Next, look for Output Settings and select DirectX (DirectDraw) Video Output in the drop-down menu.

3. Click Save, then exit VLC and browse to the video clip you want to use as the background.

4. Right-click the clip to play it on VLC media player.

5. When it's playing, right-click on the player window and select Video > Set as Wallpaper.Alternatively, tap Video > Set as Wallpaper from the menu.

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

However, with newer versions of the VLC media player, simply right-click on the video, select Video > Set as Wallpaper.

Chances are, though, that VLC's solution won't work for you.While the video goes into full-screen mode, you can still access the Windows toolbar and Start button, but desktop icons and shortcuts are still missing.

This is more like a modified full screen mode than a desktop background.

5. Use YouTube to set video wallpaper

If the results of VLC media player are not what you want, there are various alternatives of varying degrees of sophistication.Your best bet is probably YouTube, which also works on Windows 10, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.

To set a YouTube video as desktop wallpaper:

Open YouTube.com and select your video.

Play the clip, then set it to full screen.

Alt-Tab through open apps and put them on top of the video.

That video then becomes the background.Note that in this case it's not really a desktop background either, as there are no desktop icons and shortcuts.Press the Esc key to exit full screen view.

Take your desktop themes to the next level

You probably know the various ways to customize your desktop, from simply changing the background image to moving the taskbar.But adding video as a desktop background is the final stage of customization.