How to Set and Use Live Wallpapers on Windows PC

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Adding live wallpapers to our Windows PC can bring a fresh, vibrant, and cool look to our desktops. Instead of a static image, a live wallpaper can feature animations, videos, or even interactive elements. It makes our computer home screen more visually appealing and attractive.

Whether you want to impress friends, enjoy cool animations, or simply want more attractive than regular wallpapers, live wallpapers are a great choice.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set a live wallpaper on your Windows PC.

Also, read How To Disable Hyper-V On Windows 10 And 11

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Choose Your Live Wallpaper Software

To set a live wallpaper on your Windows, you’ll need special software, as Windows doesn’t natively support live wallpapers. There are many software available that will help you add live wallpapers and animated backgrounds to your Windows PC.

Some popular software are:

Lively Wallpaper
Rainmeter
Wallpaper Engine

1. Lively Wallpaper

Lively Wallpapers is one of the best software for Windows that allows you to set animated and interactive wallpapers on your desktop. The best thing about this app is that it is available for free on the Microsoft Store.

1. First of all, go to the Microsoft Store Page and install Lively wallpaper.

2. Once installed, open the app. Now there you will see 12 live wallpapers you can choose from. But, If you want to add your own, click on the plus + icon from the top bar.

add downloaded wallpaper in lively wallpaper

3. In the Add Wallpaper box, click on the “Choose a file” option and select the animated wallpaper you downloaded.

4. Finally, click on the Okay button and the live wallpaper will be set.

Set Live Wallpapers in lively wallpapers

Lively Wallpaper doesn’t use much of your computer’s resources, but on very old Windows machines, it might slow things down. Luckily, you can adjust many settings in the app to make sure it doesn’t use too many resources, so your other programs run smoothly.

2. Using Rainmeter

Rainmeter is an open-source free software for Windows that lets you customize your desktop. You can use it to set live wallpapers and display multiple information on your screen, such as time, weather, system performance, and more.

Here’s how to use Rainmeter.

1. First of all, go to the Rainmeter official website and download the latest version.

2. Once you download the file, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

3. Once the installation is complete, open Rainmeter.

4. Now, go to websites like DeviantArt or the Rainmeter forums to find skins.

5. Download a skin you like. It will usually come in a .rmskin file.

6. Then, double-click the downloaded .rmskin file and click the install button to install it in Rainmeter.

That’s it. It installs automatically and immediately takes effect on your desktop. Lively Wallpaper is a great choice for anyone looking to make their desktop more lively and visually interesting with minimal effort.

3. Using Wallpaper Engine

Wallpaper Engine is a popular choice for those who want to make their desktop more dynamic and interesting with animated backgrounds. It is a paid app, but it only costs a few bucks. You can purchase it through Steam.

1. First of all, go to the steam store and purchase a Wallpaper Engine from there.

2. Once you have purchased the application install it on your Windows PC. Once installed, open the application.

3. Now, you can browse wallpapers by going to the “Workshop” tab. This is where users share their creations. If you like any wallpaper, click “Subscribe” to download it. Once downloaded, it will appear in your “Installed” tab.

4. Now, click on the wallpaper you want and it will be applied to your desktop.

5. You can also adjust some performance settings, such as resolution color, alignment, and FPS, to ensure your PC runs smoothly.

You can also go to the wallpaper engine settings to set limits on CPU and GPU usage so that it can work smoothly on low-end PCs.

Also, enable the option to pause the wallpaper when you have a fullscreen application open, to save resources.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the best apps that you can use to set live wallpapers on your Windows. While both Lively Wallpapers and Rain Meter are free, Wallpaper Engine is the best as it offers many wallpapers and customization options. We recommend spending a few bucks on Wallpaper Engine for the best live wallpaper experience.

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