Windows 11 Now Supports .webp Images as Desktop Backgrounds, But Video Wallpaper Feature Still Unavailable

In a recent update, users can now easily set any .webp image as their desktop background by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Desktop Background. This feature, available in Build 26220.7653 for testers, is projected to roll out to Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 in the near future. While it may seem like a minor update, many users appreciate the flexibility this brings.

The .webp format, known for its efficiency, typically provides significantly smaller file sizes compared to JPG or PNG while maintaining similar quality. While Windows has long supported .webp images in various applications, setting one as your wallpaper hasn’t been straightforward.

The integration of .webp into the wallpaper settings means that Windows can now decode these images seamlessly during the background selection process, removing the need to convert to other formats like PNG or JPG.

Microsoft Explores Video Backgrounds for Windows 11

In addition to the new image support, Microsoft has been testing the possibility of using video formats, such as .mp4, as desktop wallpapers in Windows 11. If implemented, these videos would play on a loop without significantly draining battery life, making them a more efficient option compared to numerous third-party applications like Lively Wallpaper and Wallpaper Engine.

For those unfamiliar, these third-party tools allow users to set videos as wallpapers, similar to what Microsoft plans to integrate directly into the Settings > Personalization > Background menu.

Users will soon have the option to choose from video formats including .webm, .mp4, .m4v, .mov, .wmv, .avi, and .mkv. The focus is on allowing a seamless transition between static and dynamic backgrounds.

In testing, I selected an MP4 file for my wallpaper, and upon restarting Explorer.exe, it was successfully applied to my desktop background.

The demonstration shows the Windows Bloom video operating as my wallpaper, playing continuously in a loop. While this particular video may not be ideal, users with aesthetically pleasing options featuring minimal movement could greatly appreciate video backgrounds.

According to our observations at Windows Latest, there is currently no size limit on the videos that can be applied as wallpapers, and we did not note any significant impact on system resources or power consumption. However, the video wallpaper feature first emerged in preview builds back in September, and has since been absent from the latest builds.

Is the concept of video wallpapers being shelved? Only time will reveal the answer, as we presently look forward to the introduction of .webp images for desktop backgrounds.

Source & Images