Meta Description: Learn how to change desktop wallpapers on Windows 11 and Mac, download 4K backgrounds, enable slideshows and use live wallpaper apps like Lively Wallpaper and Wallpaper Engine.

Desktop Wallpaper Tips 2026: Want to give your laptop or desktop computer a fresh appearance? Changing the wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to personalise your screen without spending money on expensive software. Both Windows 11 and Apple's macOS offer built-in options for setting photographs, high-resolution backgrounds, slideshows and dynamic wallpapers.

Users who prefer moving backgrounds can also explore animated and video wallpapers through compatible third-party applications.

According to a Gadgets Now report, Windows and Mac users have several ways to customise their desktops. However, animated wallpapers may consume additional system resources and affect battery performance, particularly on laptops.

Here is a step-by-step guide to choosing and setting different types of wallpapers.

1. How to Change Desktop Wallpaper on Mac

Apple provides built-in wallpaper settings for MacBook, iMac and other compatible Mac computers.

Users can choose from Apple's wallpaper collection or select photographs stored on their devices.

Follow these steps:

1. Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner.
2. Open System Settings.
3. Select Wallpaper from the sidebar.
4. Browse the available wallpaper categories.
5. Choose your preferred image or background.
6. Apply it to your desktop.

Depending on your macOS version, the available categories may include landscapes, cityscapes, dynamic backgrounds and aerial wallpapers.

How to Set Your Own Photo as a Mac Wallpaper

You can also use a personal photograph as your desktop background.

Open System Settings > Wallpaper, find the option for adding photographs and select an image from your Photos library or a folder on your computer.

On supported macOS versions, you can also Control-click an image in Finder and choose the available desktop picture option.

The exact menu labels may differ depending on your macOS version.

2. What Are Dynamic Wallpapers on Mac?

Dynamic wallpapers can change their appearance automatically instead of displaying one fixed image throughout the day.

Some macOS dynamic wallpapers adjust according to the time of day, while others respond to the system's light or dark appearance settings.

Apple also offers aerial wallpapers on supported macOS versions.

Certain aerial backgrounds display motion during compatible screen saver or lock-screen transitions.

However, these features are different from third-party live wallpapers that continuously play videos or animations on the desktop.

3. How to Change Desktop Wallpaper on Windows 11

Windows 11 provides several built-in desktop background options, including pictures, solid colours, slideshows and Windows Spotlight.

Follow these steps:

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
2. Select Personalise.
3. Open the Background section.
4. Under Personalise your background, choose Picture.
5. Click Browse photos.
6. Select the image you want to use.

You can also access these settings directly through:

Settings > Personalisation > Background

Another option is to right-click a supported image file and select Set as desktop background.

4. How to Enable Slideshow Wallpapers on Windows

If you do not want to use the same background every day, Windows 11 can automatically rotate photographs from a selected folder.

Steps to enable a wallpaper slideshow:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Personalisation > Background.
3. Select Slideshow under the background options.
4. Choose a folder containing your photographs.
5. Set the preferred interval for changing pictures.
6. Enable Shuffle if you want the images displayed in a random order.

This feature is useful for people who want to display travel photographs, family pictures or a collection of high-resolution backgrounds.

5. How to Use Windows Spotlight for Automatic Wallpapers

Windows Spotlight provides changing desktop backgrounds selected through Microsoft's service.

It can display photographs of landscapes, landmarks and other locations without requiring users to download each image manually.

To enable Windows Spotlight:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Personalisation.
3. Click Background.
4. Choose Windows Spotlight under the background selection menu.

Once enabled, Windows can automatically display different images according to the feature's availability and settings.

6. Where to Download 4K Desktop Wallpapers

A high-resolution wallpaper can make a desktop look sharper, especially on a 4K monitor.

Popular platforms for finding high-resolution photographs include:

<Entity category="software" value="Unsplash" disambig="Stock photography platform"/>: Offers photographs covering nature, architecture, cities, landscapes and abstract subjects.

<Entity category="software" value="Pexels" disambig="Free stock photography and video platform"/>: Provides a collection of high-resolution photographs that may be suitable for desktop backgrounds.

Before downloading or reusing photographs, review the applicable licence and usage conditions.

Full HD vs 4K Wallpaper: What Is the Difference?

For a standard 4K UHD monitor, a 3840 × 2160 image is generally a suitable starting point.

However, higher resolution does not automatically improve picture quality on every screen. Matching the image's aspect ratio to the display is also important.

7. How to Set Live Wallpapers on Windows 11

Windows includes built-in static and changing background options, but users who want continuously animated or interactive wallpapers can consider third-party software.

Two commonly used options are Wallpaper Engine and Lively Wallpaper.

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Wallpaper Engine supports animated backgrounds, videos and other compatible desktop content on supported Windows systems. It also offers multi-monitor and performance-related settings.

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Lively Wallpaper is a free, open-source application that supports video, GIF and other compatible animated desktop backgrounds. It includes options to manage playback during fullscreen applications.

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How to Use Lively Wallpaper

1. Download Lively Wallpaper from its official or trusted distribution source.
2. Install and open the application.
3. Browse the available wallpaper library.
4. Select an animated background.
5. Apply it to your desktop.
6. Adjust playback and performance settings if necessary.

Depending on the application version, users may also be able to add their own video or GIF files.

8. Can You Use Live Wallpapers on Mac?

Mac users already have access to Apple's dynamic and aerial wallpaper features.

However, continuously animated video backgrounds may require a compatible third-party application.

Before installing such software, check its compatibility with your macOS version and review its system requirements.

It is also important to distinguish Apple's built-in dynamic wallpapers from live video wallpapers, as they do not necessarily work in the same way.

Static vs Live Wallpaper: Which Is Better?

For office work, studying and everyday computing, a static wallpaper is usually a practical choice.

Users interested in gaming or desktop customisation may prefer animated backgrounds.

Do Live Wallpapers Slow Down Your Computer?

Live wallpapers can affect computer performance, although the impact depends on the application, animation complexity and hardware.

High-resolution videos and interactive backgrounds may require additional CPU or GPU resources.

On laptops, this can result in higher power consumption, reduced battery life or increased fan activity.

If you notice performance problems after enabling a live wallpaper, try reducing animation complexity or switching to a static image.

Some wallpaper applications provide options to pause playback when a game or fullscreen application is running.

How to Set Different Wallpapers on Multiple Monitors

Windows users with two or more monitors can choose different wallpapers for individual displays through supported personalisation options.

The Span setting can also stretch one image across multiple screens.

Third-party applications such as Wallpaper Engine and Lively Wallpaper may offer additional multi-monitor features.

On Mac, wallpaper options may also be available for connected displays and supported desktop Spaces.

Tips for Choosing the Right Wallpaper

Before downloading a desktop background, consider the following factors:

• Resolution: Select an image appropriate for your monitor.
• Aspect ratio: Match the image shape to the display to minimise cropping.
• Image composition: Keep important subjects away from areas likely to be cropped.
• File size: Avoid unnecessarily large files when a smaller image provides similar visual quality.
• Performance: Consider battery and system resource usage before enabling animated backgrounds.

These precautions can help maintain a clear desktop appearance without unnecessary performance costs.

Conclusion

Changing the desktop wallpaper on Windows 11 or Mac is straightforward, and most users do not need additional software for everyday personalisation.

Windows offers pictures, slideshows and Windows Spotlight, while macOS includes personal photographs, dynamic backgrounds and aerial wallpaper options.

For animated desktop experiences, compatible third-party applications provide additional features.

If battery life and performance are priorities, static or built-in dynamic wallpapers are generally the more practical choice.