Desktop wallpapers are nice to look at, but they can be a little static. It's time to end all of that and set a video wallpaper instead.

Several tools are available for this, each with slightly differing results. But whatever your platform, be it Windows 10, macOS, Linux, or Chrome OS, you should find one that works for you.

Select a Video for Your Desktop Background

Before you get started setting a video as a desktop background, you need to spend a few moments considering which video clip you wish to use.

Different types of videos are suitable for different purposes. For example, if you just want to enjoy your favorite movie while you work or browse the web, simply choose a video of a suitable length.

If, however, you really want an eye-catching desktop background, then selecting a shorter clip would be more appropriate, especially if it's something that will be striking when looped. Video clips and GIFs can both be used.

Here are five ways to set a video wallpaper for your desktop. These options can work on Windows 10, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.

1. Set a Video Background on Windows With PUSH Video Wallpaper

We reckon that the video wallpaper app gives the best results, and it's easy to use. On the downside, it's not free (costing around $10 to buy). However, you do get a free trial.

Begin by heading to the site and downloading PUSH Video Wallpaper. Run the EXE file to install, and then launch the app. Instantaneously, your desktop background will be transformed as the app runs, displaying a demo video clip on a loop.

To change this:

1. Open the PUSH Video Wallpaper item from the taskbar.
2. Click the + symbol to browse for a new clip.
3. Select this to set a background.
4. For short clips use the loop tool in the controls.

Other controls include a shuffle button, the option to change video intervals, and a volume/mute button. This could prove useful for controlling audio levels when you might prefer to be working. Playlists of videos for a video wallpaper can also be created.

The result is a smooth, full-screen desktop video wallpaper background, with app windows and icons sitting in the foreground. PUSH Video Wallpaper is a great option to set a video as your Windows desktop background.

Download: PUSH Video Wallpaper (Free)

2. Set a Windows Video Desktop Background With Desktop Live Wallpaper+

A fourth option is for Windows 10 which uses a tool available from the Windows Store. Desktop Live Wallpaper+ puts you in full control of the images, GIFs, and videos that play on your desktop background.

Install it using the link below, or by opening the Windows Store on your computer and searching for "desktop live wallpaper."

After installing, you'll find Desktop Live Wallpaper+ in the Start menu, under Recently Added.

With Desktop Live Wallpaper+ running, setting a video wallpaper for Windows 10 is simple:

1. Click Add Photos/Videos.
2. Click Pick from PC to browse to where your video backgrounds are stored (the app also provides video download resources).
3. Select each video, image, or GIF you want to use as a background.
4. Click Apply Changes.

All the videos in the folder will play in turn. Want to change this? Simply click Add Photos/Videos to add more from your PC and click Apply Changes.

Use the Settings tool to adjust Photo Duration and Use Transitions, and toggle Video Sound and AutoStart.

If you want to stop the video background on your Windows 10 desktop:

1. Go to the System Tray.
2. Right-click Desktop Live Wallpaper+.
3. Click Exit.

The app will then close.

Download: Desktop Live Wallpaper+ (Free)

3. DeskScapes

Our last method on this list for running a video wallpaper on Windows is DeskScape from StarDock, a premium desktop customization app that lets you change your wallpapers and screensavers for a more fulfilling user experience. While this app is not available for free, it does come with a free 30-day trial.

While the app comes with numerous backgrounds and animated wallpapers to pick from, you can create your own animated background relatively easily as well, thanks to DreamMaker.

When you’ve downloaded and installed the app, follow the steps below:

• Launch the app and enter your email address for activating the trial.
• Go to your registered email from above, and confirm the trial subscription.
• As soon as you do this, you'll now be able to run the DeskScape app.

As you can see, you can choose to pick up your wallpapers either from your PC locally or straight from the internet. To set up a video wallpaper, switch to the Online tab, select any video wallpaper of your liking and click on Download this background. After the download is complete, switch to the Local tab and select the Downloaded folder from the Animated section of your app.

Finally, click on the video background and select Apply to my desktop.

That's it. Your desktop background will be changed for good.

Download: DeskScapes (Free trial, paid version available)

4. Set a Video as Your Wallpaper With VLC

Another way to create a desktop background video is through the most versatile of desktop media players, the VLC media player. Available from VideoLAN.org, the VLC media player is available for all operating systems.

In theory, this method will work on various Windows, macOS, Linux, even ChromeOS, BSD variants, and Solaris.

Download: VLC Media Player (Free)

How to Create a Desktop Background Video Using VLC

Setting up VLC Media Player to play videos as a desktop is straightforward. In older versions, however, you'll need to:

1. Open Tools > Preferences > Videos and set the Show Settings box to All.
2. Next, look for the Output setting and select DirectX (DirectDraw) video output in the drop-down menu.
3. Click Save, then exit VLC and browse to the video clip you want to use as a background
4. Right-click the clip and play it on the VLC media player.
5. As it plays, right-click on the player window and choose Video > Set as Wallpaper. Alternatively, click Video > Set as Wallpaper from the menu.

Once you're done with the video, maximize the VLC media player, open Video, and click DirectX Wallpaper again to remove the check. Then exit the program.

However, for more recent versions of the VLC media player, simply right-click the video and select Video > Set as wallpaper.

It might be possible, though, that the VLC solution may not suit you. Although the video goes into full-screen mode, and you can still access your Windows toolbar and Start button, desktop icons and shortcuts are still missing.

It's more of a modified full-screen mode than a desktop background.

5. Set a Video Wallpaper Using YouTube

If the results from the VLC media player don't meet your requirements, there are various alternatives of varying complexity. Your best option is probably YouTube, which again will work with Windows 10, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.

To set a YouTube video as a desktop wallpaper:

• Open YouTube.com and select your video.
• Play the clip then set it to full screen.
• Alt-Tab through the open apps and place them on top of the video.

The video then becomes the background. Note that again in this scenario, it is not a true desktop background as there are no desktop icons and shortcuts. Hit Esc to exit the full-screen view.

Take Your Desktop Themes to the Next Level

You probably know of various ways to customize your desktop, from simply changing the background picture to moving the taskbar. But adding a video as the desktop background is the final stage of customization.