We’ll start with the option offered by Microsoft and then continue with exploring the remaining free options. These include:įree Live Wallpaper & Animated Desktop Apps There are multiple methods to add live wallpapers and animated backgrounds on Windows 10. Could end up being more of a distraction than a help when it comes to productivity.Might put additional demand on your CPU.

Will drain your battery if you’re using it on a laptop without the power plugged in.

There are certainly benefits to having an animated desktop, but it can also adversely affect your system in the following ways: Imagine the ability to display a live fireplace or a virtual fishbowl on those screens when you’re not using them! Drawbacks to Live Wallpapers & Animated Desktops in Windows 10 In other words, the GIF file that you have set as Start screen background will stop functioning as soon as you close Start Screen Customizer.However, many people desire this because it lets you make better use of external screens or a TV you may have your computer connected to. However, the only downside of this excellent tool is that Start Screen Customizer must be running in the background for the proper functioning of the GIF file. So it’s completely safe to use this tool. The beauty of this tool is that it doesn’t edit or replace original system files in order to set a custom picture or animated picture as background. Start Screen Customizer is a free tool that not only helps you set your own picture as Start screen background but also enables you have animated picture as Start screen background.

That also means that you can set a video file as Start screen background by converting the video file to GIF format and then setting it as Start screen background. Windows 8.1 users who would like to customize the Start screen by setting a custom animated background will be happy to know that it’s now possible to set an animated picture as Start screen background with the help of third-party tool. Wouldn’t it be cool if Microsoft allowed users to set their own animated wallpaper as Start screen background?

Moving desktop backgrounds