Microsoft is bringing back something that might feel oddly nostalgic to some users. Animated wallpapers, which first appeared nearly twenty years ago with Windows Vista, are quietly making a return. The feature, now tucked away under the name “Animated background,” is hidden in the latest Windows 11 Insider builds. For those who missed it the first time, this means your desktop can once again come alive with moving images, offering a more dynamic feel to the interface.
Key Takeaways
- A new animated wallpaper feature is hidden in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.
- It revives the old “DreamScene” concept from Windows Vista, with a modern twist.
- The option is disabled by default and must be turned on using a third-party tool called ViVeTool.
- At this stage, only one default animated background is included, with no ability to add custom videos yet.
A Nod to the Past
Those who remember Windows Vista Ultimate might recall DreamScene, one of its “Ultimate Extras.” It allowed users to set WMV or MPEG video clips as desktop backgrounds. It looked impressive at the time, though it did come with a cost. The feature was known to drain battery life on laptops and use up system resources, which made it less practical for everyday use. Microsoft ended up retiring it in later versions of Windows.
Now, with hardware being far more powerful and energy-efficient, Microsoft seems to believe the idea is worth reviving. The Windows 11 implementation looks like a cleaner, better-optimized version, baked directly into the desktop personalization settings. It should, in theory, be lighter on performance than Vista’s version ever was.
How to Enable Animated Wallpaper in Windows 11
At the moment, the feature is only available to Windows Insiders on the Canary Channel, specifically those running Build 26200 or newer. Since it is hidden, enabling it requires a little tinkering.
Important note: this process involves using a third-party tool to change system settings. It’s best to create a backup before proceeding, just in case something goes wrong.
- Download ViVeTool: Start by grabbing ViVeTool from its official GitHub page. It’s a small utility designed to unlock hidden developer features in Windows.
- Extract the Files: Unzip the download to an easy-to-find location, such as C:\ViVeTool.
- Open Command Prompt: Search for “cmd” in the Start Menu, right-click it, and choose “Run as administrator.”
- Navigate to the Folder: Use the command cd C:\ViVeTool (or the folder you extracted it to) to move into the ViVeTool directory.
- Run the Command: Type the following and hit Enter:
- vivetool /enable /id:47447132
- Reboot Your PC: Restart your computer so the changes can take effect.
Once your PC restarts, right-click the desktop, head to Personalization > Background, and you’ll find a new “Animated background” option. At the moment, it offers just one animation to choose from, but that could change soon. If Microsoft follows through, users might eventually get more choices and perhaps even support for custom animations when the feature rolls out to the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the new animated wallpaper feature in Windows 11?
A. It is a new personalization option that allows users to set a moving, animated image as their desktop background. It is currently a hidden feature in preview builds of Windows 11.
Q. Is this the same as Windows DreamScene from Vista?
A. It is a modern successor to Windows DreamScene. While the concept is similar, the technology behind it is new and expected to be more resource-efficient.
Q. Who can get this feature right now?
A. The feature is available for users in the Windows 11 Insider Program who are on the Canary Channel, specifically running Build 26200 or a more recent version.
Q. Do I need a special tool to enable it?
A. Yes, since the feature is hidden, you need to use a third-party tool called ViVeTool to enable it by running a specific command.
Can I use my own videos as animated wallpaper?
A. At the moment, you cannot use your own videos. The feature currently includes only one pre-installed default animated background. This may change in future updates.
Q. Will this feature come to the stable version of Windows 11?
A. Microsoft has not officially announced a release date for the stable version. Features tested in the Insider channels often make their way to the public, but it is not guaranteed.
