The ability to install animated and interactive wallpapers appeared in Windows Vista, but in Windows 8/10, which moved to the Metro interface, this feature was already missing. Of course, with the help of third-party utilities, you can enable desktop animation, but such programs are not cheap, and they also have a number of limitations. An alternative is offered by the Wallpaper Engine application distributed through Steam.
Wallpaper Engine
Class Windows customization
Platforms Windows
Developers Kristjan Skutta
Publisher Kristjan Skutta
Sites Steam
One of the most famous Windows customization utilities, Object Desktop by Stardock Software (yes, the same company that made the games Ashes of the Singularity, Galactic Civilizations and Sins of a Solar Empire) includes an application for displaying animated wallpapers - DeskScapes. But at the same time, Object Desktop costs as much as $49.99, and DeskScapes is sold separately for a considerable $9.99. A similar PUSH Video Wallpaper utility will set you back $14.95. Agree, against this background, the price of Wallpaper Engine at only $2.79 looks ridiculous, especially considering that this program offers much more functionality and a really huge selection of ready-made wallpapers.
Moreover, these can be two-dimensional animated wallpapers, three-dimensional scenes, the details of which can be changed on the fly, interactive wallpapers, video files (mp4, WebM, avi, m4v, mov, wmv), any websites, even small game applications. Wallpaper Engine is very easy to set up and use, and when running full-screen games, wallpaper playback is paused and the application frees up resources. CPU usage and memory usage vary by wallpaper and can increase significantly when anti-aliasing quality and refresh rates are set to high.
The main feature of the app is Steam support Workshop, which, despite the fact that Wallpaper Engine is still not out of Early Access, already has almost 35 thousand different wallpapers. And although most of them are animated frames with anime girls, among them you can find really great wallpapers on the theme various games(Star Citizen, The Witcher, Dark Souls), fantastic works, etc.
many users Windows does not suit the "default" interface for this OS. Therefore, programs that improve appearance systems. One of them is Wallpaper Engine- a utility that adds an animated image to Windows Desktop.
The development of the German programmer Kristjan Skutta allows you to "revive" the interface operating system while using almost no computer resources. After installing the application, the user will receive an analogue of " live wallpaper" for Android on your PC, but with more customization options.
Wallpaper Engine can be purchased from the service Steam for 99 rubles. The program is in the Early Access stage, which means that the development has not yet been completed, updates and fixes for the utility are regularly released, but you can already use it to the fullest. Application release in Steam not accidental: users of the service are actively involved in the development and development of the project, including creating their own new content- number of custom wallpapers in Steam Workshop has already exceeded 15,000. Among them, you can find themes for every taste: video games, space, anime, equalizers with music visualization, and much more.
Working with the program is very simple: just install and run it. A list will appear in the main window. established themes; they can be sorted by name, rating, upload date, and so on.
When choosing the option the user needs, the settings menu will open, where you can set various parameters: playback speed, musical accompaniment, color scheme, as well as rate or delete the theme.
You can find new wallpapers by clicking the " Workshop". A list of topics will open. Steam Workshop, where the user can select the options he likes.
The new theme will be added to the application after clicking the " Subscribe».
Doing Desktop animated, Wallpaper Engine sparingly refers to the resources of the system. Many themes have little to no effect on performance, in addition, the program is automatically paused when you start another full screen application, so it will not affect the performance of, for example, games.
How to install live wallpaper on your desktop? This user question is the most popular. The most efficient and effective method- specialized programs designed to accomplish this task.
With the help of them, live wallpapers can be installed on your device for free and displayed on the screen. The most optimal program for this task is Wallpaper engine.
Program Benefits
The key benefits of wallpaper engine are:
- ease of installation and use;
- small weight of the program;
- efficiency of work, without freezes;
- low cost of the program;
- full support for various operating systems: windows 10 and older versions.
How to work with the program?
Program launch
The program does not need to run. separate installation on the local disk computer. After unpacking the downloaded archive with this software, you just need to select the version that suits you (x32 or x64) and run it.
Set wallpaper
How to install live wallpapers on your desktop using this program? Wallpaper engine is absolutely elementary in use. In the main window of the Wallpaper engine, you need to select a wallpaper from the gallery and click on the "OK" button. After that, the wallpaper will instantly appear on your desktop.
Remove wallpaper
Uninstalling in Wallpaper engine is as easy as installing. To do this, you need to click on the "Remove Wallpaper" button. After that, the wallpaper will be removed from the desktop.
Set your own wallpaper
In addition to those available in the gallery, the user can use their own wallpapers. To do this, in the Wallpaper engine, you will need to click on the "Open from File" button and specify the path that leads to the image of interest. It will be added to the gallery, after which it will be possible to install it on your desktop.
Where can I download?
Where can I download such a program for Windows 10? The program for this OS version or lower can be downloaded from wallpaperengine.info. Wallpaper engine can also be downloaded from other resources, you just need to drive the appropriate request into Google.
Possible problems and solutions
Below are the most common problems faced by users of the program and everyone who wants to purchase live wallpapers for free and install them on their desktop. The most common ways to solve problems that arise when working with the program are described.
1. How to install live wallpaper on windows 7?
The program supports various versions of Windows, including the seven, so the installation principle is the same as in Windows 10. How to install live wallpapers on Windows is given in this article above.
2. The program does not start.
3. How can I install live wallpaper on my desktop in Windows 10?
According to the instructions given in this article above.
4. What other programs are there to install live wallpapers?
There are many of them. For example, Desktop Live Wallpapers or PUSH Video Wallpaper. You should read about how you can install live wallpapers on the screen using these programs in the instructions for them.
5. On which sites can I download new options and install downloaded live wallpapers?
There are many sites, to find them, you need to enter the appropriate query on Google.
And how is the situation on computers where the operating room reigns? Windows system? Is it possible to install video wallpaper on PC? Yes, there is such an opportunity, but this will require dancing with a tambourine - the operating system itself does not provide anything of the kind. In this article you will read detailed instructions how to put live wallpaper on your desktop Windows table 10 as well as older operating systems.
Wallpaper Engine
Let's start from the very easy way. It consists in using the Wallpaper Engine program distributed on Steam. Are you surprised? Yes, on Steam for a long time you can buy not only games, but also some computer programs. Of course, Wallpaper Engine costs money. But, it must be admitted, the developers require mere pennies - only 100 rubles. You can't do without payment, since the product uses the so-called "Steam Workshop", from where all video wallpapers come from. Do I need to say that the hacked version of the program will not have access to the "Workshop", in connection with which the meaning of its installation is lost?
To install Wallpaper Engine, you first need to purchase it. To do this, you may have to register on Steam. Next, enter the name of the program in the search box of the "Store" section and click on the pop-up result with the left mouse button. The purchase process here is implemented no more difficult than in most online stores, but rather, even easier. Payment on Steam is carried out by the most different ways. Easiest to use bank card. An option is also available in the form of payment via QIWI or Yandex.Money.
How to install and configure the program
Once you've purchased and installed the program, it's time to run it. The main application window contains all downloaded wallpapers. By default, there are five or six far from the best options created by the program developers. The “Workshop” tab is also striking. But the first thing you need to visit is not her, but the settings section by clicking on the gear.
The application is very flexible, it can be adjusted to a computer of any capacity. If you don’t want to think about the parameters, then just click on certain presets in the “Quality” subsection. Also here you can independently choose FPS, resolution, and anti-aliasing degree. Wallpaper Engine will put more stress on your graphics card the higher the settings you set. It should be noted that launching some other program in full screen mode freezes the work of the utility for video wallpapers. So don't worry about Wallpaper Engine taking up valuable resources while you play.
Don't forget to visit the other settings section. Here you can select the Russian interface language, as well as set the transparency of desktop icons. We also recommend that you immediately turn off the sound of the wallpaper - it will only distract you. In the "Download video" item, select the "From disk" option. Some live wallpapers for Windows weigh 1-2 GB each. You will not be pleased with how long they will be loaded at each start of the operating system.
If you have two or even three monitors, then you need to visit completely different program settings. To call the corresponding window, click on the icon in the form of a monitor (located next to the same gear). Here you can choose which wallpaper will be displayed on each monitor.
Install video wallpaper on your desktop
So, initial setup completed. It's time to install live wallpapers on your desktop by selecting and downloading the appropriate option. To do this, go to the "Workshop" tab. Note that the Steam client must be running at this point. This tab may be completely empty. Don't be scared, you just need to click on the "Filters" button. Here you need to select the categories that the wallpaper you are looking for should fit. There are a lot of options. Most live pictures are dedicated to anime characters and Vocaloids. But you can easily find scenes from movies or games. And how many landscapes are here! If you are looking for something specific, you can use the input field search query. And here there is a choice of sorting methods. That is, you can order the program to display first those wallpapers that received the highest rating from users.
The main advantage of the Wallpaper Engine application is that it provides live wallpapers for free. Not a single project in the "Workshop" is worth the money! Although some of the creations of craftsmen are so good that it would be quite possible to pay 50-100 rubles for them. It should be noted that the "Steam Workshop" contains not only video wallpapers. Here you can find something like games. For example, this way you can set a clearing with sheep and wolves as wallpaper. Clicking on an empty space will cause a new animal to appear. Clicking on a sheep will make it scream. At the same time, all the animals run around the clearing, chewing grass between times. Of course, there are few such masterpieces for Wallpaper Engine, but they exist!
What's wrong?
It remains to add that the program has a drawback. Some wallpapers are placed in the "Workshop" without a normal preview. That is, you can see only three or four screenshots, and the description of the wallpaper will be in English or some other language. You will have to download the wallpaper, install it, and then decide whether to keep it. Not everyone will like the fact that live wallpapers do not start immediately after loading the operating system. The point is that the program itself needs to be launched first. It turns out that after turning on the computer for 30 seconds you will observe static image, which you put on your desktop before using Wallpaper Engine. If you forget about it, then the program deserves only positive ratings! It even comes with collectible cards that you can easily sell on Steam. But SmartBeaver will write about them sometime next time. And we foresee your question: with the help of this program, you can put any of your videos on your desktop, it is not necessary to use only the "Workshop".
Deskscapes
Do not want to register in Steam, a purely gaming online store? Beautiful live wallpapers will be provided by other programs that are not related to it in any way. For example, DeskScapes will allow you to replace a photo with a video. However, this program costs completely different money - they ask for $7.99 for it alone. The application is also part of Object Desktop - a package that allows you to create completely different things with your desktop. However, a set of utilities from Stardock Software already costs several tens of dollars.
The program contains several very beautiful animated wallpapers. If this seems not enough, then the developers offer to visit their community - from there you can download additional options. Live wallpaper files are distributed in the .dream format - they can be animated with a variety of elements. For example, from time to time birds will fly across the sky, and a car will drive past the building. Flexible toolkit allows you to add animation even to static wallpapers! In short, DeskScapes allows you to create your own live wallpapers for Windows 7 and above. fresh versions operating system. That is why the program is quite expensive.
It should be noted that this utility also supports dual monitors. And it also allows you to place a video as wallpaper. But there is one limitation: the video must be saved in WMV format. Therefore, you may need to convert. If you don't know how to convert video from one format to another, someday our site will definitely write a separate article about it.
PUSH Video Wallpaper
The third program that allows you to install live wallpapers on the table. It used to cost about $14. But fierce competition forced the developers to drop the price tag a lot. Now the cost of this utility ranges from 220 to 300 rubles - during the holiday sales it can be bought cheaper, and the rest of the time it is sold at a higher price. Developers also sell separate live wallpapers. The easiest way is to buy a set consisting of the program itself and all the live wallpapers - it will cost about 370-500 rubles.
It should be noted that in the case of this product, live wallpapers are different from video wallpapers. The former are sold separately, providing a wide variety of effects. The aforementioned PUSH Video Wallpaper program is designed to install the latter. That is, with its help you can put any video on your desktop. Absolutely anything - even downloading a video from YouTube is available. At the same time, available various settings- in particular, it is immediately recommended to turn off the sound. The program works on different operating systems Microsoft systems starting with Windows 7.
It makes no sense to talk in detail about the use of the application. Its interface is tailored for those for whom Windows seems like a dense forest. Just remember to make sure that the program starts immediately after the operating system starts.
dream scene
Another way to put live wallpaper on your Windows Vista desktop is to use DreamScene. Unfortunately, given function is present only in this operating system, it was decided to remove it from Windows 7. The function is to simply install special animated videos on your desktop. The DreamScene files are located in the following path "Computer > Windows > Internet > Windows DreamScene". It is there that you need to move new files downloaded from the global web.
Default Windows user Vista provides some good videos. If this seems not enough, then you can search for new files on the Internet. For example, dreamscene.org is a good directory of Dream Scenes.
What to do when you want to change the video? Everything is very simple. Click right click mouse over any empty area of the desktop. Go to Personalization > Desktop Background. Next, you need to go to "Windows DreamScene Content". That's all, it remains to click on the thumbnail you like.
Unfortunately, on later operating systems, there is no corresponding section; by default, only static images can be used as wallpaper. On Windows 7, you can use DreamScene Activator. Be that as it may, this method of installing video wallpapers is very inconvenient. The fact is that you will not get the opportunity to somehow customize the live wallpaper. That is, you will not be able to somehow reduce the load on the processor, or reduce the volume consumed random access memory. If the slowdown of the computer has become noticeable, you will have to start converting the video, reducing its bitrate or resolution.
VLC media player
Many do not suspect this, but you can install video wallpapers on your desktop even in old Windows XP. This is done, oddly enough, with the help of VLC Media player. It is a popular free video player. It has a very interesting feature that only works in an outdated operating system.
So, if you are still using Windows XP, then download and install VLC Media Player on your computer. Launch the media player, then pay attention to the top line - move the mouse over the “Tools” item. In the appeared context menu you have to click on "Settings".
In the window that opens, you need to visit the "Video" tab. Here, opposite the “Output” item, there is a list of ways to display the picture. Select "Output video via DirectX", then click on the "Save" button.
Now you need to open the video that you want to install on your desktop. To do this, you can download some video from the aforementioned site dedicated to DreamScene. When playing it, hover over the “Video” item, then click on the “Desktop Background” button. That's all! The video will now play right below the icons. VLC Media Player must be placed in autorun if you want to see these video wallpapers immediately after the operating system starts. When you want to return the old picture - you just need to click on the "Desktop Background" button again.
Flaw this decision all the same - it is impossible to somehow set up live wallpapers, which in fact are not. Yes, and the method only works within the framework of Windows XP - an operating system that remains on an ever smaller number of computers.
videowallpaper
It was possible to put video on the desktop back in 2012. It was then that the release of the VideoWallpaper program took place. This is very simple utility designed for Windows XP and above later versions operating system. The program looks very simple, it uses the traditional "window" interface. But if you are not an aesthete, then the application may well be liked.
In fact, the program has one goal - to provide the user with the ability to set some video as wallpaper. In this case, the image can be stretched to the desired aspect ratio. A nice bonus is the creation of playlists. That is, the wallpaper can be changed every half an hour or any other period of time selected by the user.
In general, VideoWallpaper has few features. Here there are no detailed settings affecting computer performance. Yes, and there is no base with suitable videos here - you will have to look for them on the Internet on your own. But the most disappointing thing is that the program is paid. However, the utility has a trial period that will help you understand whether it is worth spending your money later.
Summarizing
These are the few ways to install live wallpaper on your Windows desktop. Our choice is, without a doubt, Wallpaper Engine. The breadth of settings, the ability to use it on two monitors, access to numerous wallpapers - is anything more required? The inconvenience of this program is one - you need to be a registered Steam user. Not the best news for those who do not use their computer for gaming purposes. However, no one is forcing you to buy more games - it is quite possible to limit yourself to installing only one program.