The video wallpapers feature is returning in Windows 11

Is the Windows Live wallpaper feature back? (Image source: microsoft.com - edited)

Wallpaper engine and similar apps won't be needed soon, as Microsoft has decided to reintroduce the ability to use video as the desktop background in Windows 11. The feature was abandoned long ago and was last available in Windows Vista.

Anton Avdyushkin, Published 09/22/2025 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 ...

Microsoft is testing a new feature for Windows 11 that lets you set video wallpapers. Found in the latest Windows 11 builds, this feature allows users to use video files like MP4 or MKV as desktop background.

As mentioned in the tweet, some might remember Windows DreamScene from earlier days. It was an integrated feature that allowed users to set videos as wallpapers - up until Vista. Sadly, DreamScene was removed in Windows 7 and hasn't been officially brought back. Meanwhile, alternatives like Wallpaper Engine gained popularity and largely replaced DreamScene. Funnily enough, thanks to such a decision on Microsoft's side, many modern users might not even realize that dynamic desktop backgrounds were once a native Windows feature.