A static desktop background can make a screen feel lifeless. Many people want an animated scene behind their windows: a nature clip, an abstract loop or a favourite video.
The original AH Solution video covers that, showing how to set a video wallpaper on a PC using MLWApp. It was published in December 2020, when the app was a popular free option.
This article follows the same workflow in a current context. Since the availability and interface of MLWApp cannot be assumed unchanged, it also covers two verified alternatives - the free and open-source Lively Wallpaper and the paid Wallpaper Engine - and treats download safety honestly.
Original video: How to Set Live Wallpaper on PC Using MLWApp 🔥 | Any Video as Wallpaper Video published: 16 December 2020 · Duration: 03:26
What a live wallpaper is
A normal wallpaper is a still image. A live wallpaper runs a video, GIF or animated scene continuously behind the desktop. Windows does not offer this itself, so it takes a third-party app that renders the video over the desktop.
At the time of the video (2020), MLWApp existed for exactly this: install the app, select a video, press "apply wallpaper" and you are done. Most apps still follow that flow; only button names changed.
A live wallpaper is a background application: the video is decoded continuously, the GPU does extra work and the battery drains faster.
The general MLWApp workflow
MLWApp (My Live Wallpaper App) was demonstrated step by step in the 2020 video. The developer is MyLiveWallpapers.com and the app is distributed from mylivewallpapers.com. That workflow is still largely the same:
- Install the app: the developer's official website is the safest source. Store listings come and go, so check the publisher name.
- Select a video file: choose the video inside the app. Common formats such as MP4 are usually supported.
- Apply the wallpaper: click "Set as wallpaper" or similar - the background switches to the video immediately.
- Configure the pause settings: enable the options for pausing on battery saver and while a fullscreen app runs.
- Check the result: go to the desktop and confirm the video plays smoothly.
Note for today: confirm the current availability of MLWApp from the official site. If no official listing is found, do not install it from random download sites at all (the safety section covers this).
Practical tips for the video file
The wallpaper video you pick affects how smooth the system feels. These tips apply to any live wallpaper app:
- Resolution: 1080p (1920×1080) is enough. 4K loads the GPU more heavily with little visible difference.
- Loop quality: the end and the start of the video should meet, otherwise every loop shows a jump.
- File size: very large files load slowly - a smaller, optimised clip is better.
- Audio: wallpaper audio is normally muted.
- Content: a distracting wallpaper affects concentration - subtle loops tend to work better.
Effect on performance, GPU and battery
Performance is the main trade-off. The video is decoded continuously, whether or not you look at the desktop, until a pause rule triggers. Simple scenes cost little; heavy effects and 4K cost more.
For laptops: "pause on battery" matters most - without the charger, the wallpaper should fall back to a static image.
For gaming: a wallpaper behind a fullscreen game is pointless. Almost every good app detects fullscreen and pauses, so leave that feature on.
For older PCs: on integrated graphics or low-RAM systems a live wallpaper can feel sluggish; a static one is better.
Current options: MLWApp and the alternatives
MLWApp was one option in 2020; the market has changed since:
| App | Type | Availability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLWApp | Free | Developer's official site mylivewallpapers.com (verify the Microsoft Store listing) | Following the original video workflow |
| Lively Wallpaper | Free & open-source | Available on the Microsoft Store; official repository on GitHub | The safest free option - video, GIF and web wallpapers |
| Wallpaper Engine | Paid | Sold on Steam; check the price on the official listing | The largest community wallpaper library (Steam Workshop) |
Lively Wallpaper is our recommendation in the free category. It is GPL open-source, so the code is publicly auditable on GitHub, it installs from the Microsoft Store listing, and pause-on-battery, fullscreen-pause and multi-monitor handling are built in. Video, GIF and web pages work.
Wallpaper Engine is the paid option. Its selling point is the Steam Workshop community, where wallpapers are published in the hundreds of thousands. Check the current price on the Steam page.
Both apps follow the MLWApp video workflow: select a file, apply it, set the pause rules.
Download source: safety first
Random download sites carry the highest risk: searches for "MLWApp free download" or "video wallpaper crack" often return bundleware, adware or fake installers.
- Install from the Microsoft Store wherever possible - apps are verified there and update automatically.
- The official developer site is fine for a direct installer, but type the URL yourself rather than following a search ad.
- Never download from unknown sites - installers bundled with a "free wallpaper pack" often carry malware.
- Uncheck any bundled software options when you install.
Our guides/live-wallpaper-on-pc.html guide holds the safe-install checklist, and the same principles apply on Android in guides/choose-android-apps-safely.html.
Troubleshooting and limitations
- Wallpaper freezes or the screen goes black: update the app and the GPU drivers; restarting the app sometimes fixes it.
- The wallpaper does not run after a game: check the pause rules. With fullscreen pause on, the wallpaper only runs on the desktop.
- The battery drains faster: enable "Pause on battery" and lower the resolution.
- No app store listing is available: use a verified alternative such as Lively, not an unofficial mirror.
- An older PC feels slow: remove the live wallpaper and compare. If the difference is clear, the system is not ready.
Safety and privacy
- Permission check: do not grant a wallpaper app more permissions than it needs - wallpaper and media access is enough.
- Telemetry: free apps sometimes collect analytics. Open-source options such as Lively can be checked publicly, so FOSS builds are considered safer.
- Account and subscription: some apps are freemium - the basic version is free, extra wallpapers are premium. Confirm the price on the official listing before buying.
- Source: always install from an official source. That is the one rule that matters most.
Frequently asked questions
Does a live wallpaper hurt PC performance?
It adds some GPU and battery load, but with the pause settings enabled the impact stays small.
Is MLWApp still available?
Check the listing on the official site, since listings change. If it is gone, use the free and open-source Lively Wallpaper.
Is Lively Wallpaper genuinely free?
Yes - GPL open-source and free on the Microsoft Store, no hidden subscription. Wallpaper Engine is the paid one, sold on Steam.
What if the wallpaper app does not support my video format?
MP4 (H.264) is the most universally supported format; convert rarer codecs with a tool such as HandBrake.
Does a live wallpaper carry a data or privacy risk?
Most wallpaper apps play local files and need no internet connection. The risk comes mostly from unverified download sources, not app features.
Final recommendations
If you want to try this once, install Lively Wallpaper from the Microsoft Store - free, open-source and from a safe source. The workflow is the one from the MLWApp video: select a video, apply it, set the pause rules. For a large wallpaper library, evaluate Wallpaper Engine.
Tune the settings to your system: battery pause on, fullscreen pause on, and avoid anything above 1080p. Never skip verifying the download source - our guides/live-wallpaper-on-pc.html guide covers the details.
Resources and official links
- Lively Wallpaper official GitHub repository - source code, releases and the official issue tracker.
- Lively Wallpaper Microsoft Store listing - the verified free install source.
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