rocksdanister/lively

Free and open-source software that allows users to set animated desktop wallpapers and screensavers powered by WinUI 3.

19,584

stars

1,084

commits

C#

primary language

Apr 30, 2026

updated

rocksdanister.com/lively
csharp
desktop
desktop-wallpaper
dynamic-desktop
dynamic-wallpaper
fluent-design
live-wallpaper
screensavers
wallpaper
wallpaper-app
wallpaper-changer
wallpaper-engine
wallpaperengine
wallpapers
widgets
windows-10
windows-11
windows-app
winui
winui3
Browse cluster: Windows System Optimization & Utilities

README

Files Logo

Lively Wallpaper

GitHub release Github all releases GitHub stars Documentation Issues Crowdin

Contents

About

Animated desktop wallpapers, bring your desktop to life!

Join Discussions:

Features

Wait a sec, preview gif clips take some time to load.

Types Of Wallpapers

WallpaperExampleInteractiveResolutionPerformance
Video/GIF
Video by Rostislav Uzunov
NoFixedFixed
Webpage
25th Hour by Loius Coyle
YesVariableVariable
Application/Games
Run Unity or Godot games as wallpaper
YesVariableVariable

Screensavers

  • Lively supports Windows screensaver.
  • Any wallpaper can be used as screensaver.
  • Multiple monitor supported.
  • Learn more..

Automation

  • Lively can be controlled with command line arguments from terminal.
  • Integrate with other languages like Python or scripting software AutoHotKey.
  • Learn more..

Lively API

  • Powerful set of API for developers to create interactive wallpapers.
  • Get hardware readings, audio graph, music information..
  • Learn more..

Machine Learning

  • Leverage Machine Learning inference to create dynamic wallpapers.
  • Learn more..

More Features

  • Minimal webpage renderer powered by chromium.
  • Hardware accelerated video playback using mpv/vlc player with customizable video filters.
  • Easy to use; Just drag'n'drop media or webpages into lively to set as wallpaper.
  • Latest Windows 11 design using WinUI 3 + WindowsAppSDK framework.
  • Efficient, Lively is native application designed for Windows.
  • Fully opensource & free; no blackmagic, no features behind paywall.
  • Shadertoy.com urls are supported as wallpaper.

Performance

  • Wallpaper playback pauses when fullscreen application/games run on the machine (~0% cpu, gpu usage).
  • Set wallpaper playback rules based on running foreground application.
  • Can be set to pause wallpaper when running on battery power (laptops.)
  • Wallpaper automatically pauses when running remote desktop session.

Lively is not officially affiliated with Unity technologies, godot, shadertoy;

Download

Microsoft Store (Windows 10 1809 or above)

Get it from Microsoft

Installer (Windows 10 1903 or above)

Installer may give Smartscreen warning, discussion.

Which version do I download?

Support

Are you a Lively fan and want to help out? here are some options..

Programmer

Code contributions are welcome, learn more..

Designer

Help improve UI/UX of Lively, learn more..

Localization

Help translate Lively to more languages, learn more..

Suggestions & Bug report

Suggest new features or file bug reports to improve Lively, learn more..

Patreon

Financially support Lively by become a patreon member and get your name listed in-app, learn more..

Spread the word

Star this repository, leave a Microsoft store review or tell your friend.. any help is welcome :)

License

Lively is licensed under GPL-v3.

Contributors

rocksdanister

1,077 commits

dejohansson

3 commits

everything411

1 commits

hui-shao

1 commits

rocksdanister/lively

Free and open-source software that allows users to set animated desktop wallpapers and screensavers powered by WinUI 3.

19,584

stars

1,084

commits

C#

primary language

Apr 30, 2026

updated

rocksdanister.com/lively
csharp
desktop
desktop-wallpaper
dynamic-desktop
dynamic-wallpaper
fluent-design
live-wallpaper
screensavers
wallpaper
wallpaper-app
wallpaper-changer
wallpaper-engine
wallpaperengine
wallpapers
widgets
windows-10
windows-11
windows-app
winui
winui3
Browse cluster: Windows System Optimization & Utilities

README

Files Logo

Lively Wallpaper

GitHub release Github all releases GitHub stars Documentation Issues Crowdin

Contents

About

Animated desktop wallpapers, bring your desktop to life!

Join Discussions:

Features

Wait a sec, preview gif clips take some time to load.

Types Of Wallpapers

WallpaperExampleInteractiveResolutionPerformance
Video/GIF
Video by Rostislav Uzunov
NoFixedFixed
Webpage
25th Hour by Loius Coyle
YesVariableVariable
Application/Games
Run Unity or Godot games as wallpaper
YesVariableVariable

Screensavers

  • Lively supports Windows screensaver.
  • Any wallpaper can be used as screensaver.
  • Multiple monitor supported.
  • Learn more..

Automation

  • Lively can be controlled with command line arguments from terminal.
  • Integrate with other languages like Python or scripting software AutoHotKey.
  • Learn more..

Lively API

  • Powerful set of API for developers to create interactive wallpapers.
  • Get hardware readings, audio graph, music information..
  • Learn more..

Machine Learning

  • Leverage Machine Learning inference to create dynamic wallpapers.
  • Learn more..

More Features

  • Minimal webpage renderer powered by chromium.
  • Hardware accelerated video playback using mpv/vlc player with customizable video filters.
  • Easy to use; Just drag'n'drop media or webpages into lively to set as wallpaper.
  • Latest Windows 11 design using WinUI 3 + WindowsAppSDK framework.
  • Efficient, Lively is native application designed for Windows.
  • Fully opensource & free; no blackmagic, no features behind paywall.
  • Shadertoy.com urls are supported as wallpaper.

Performance

  • Wallpaper playback pauses when fullscreen application/games run on the machine (~0% cpu, gpu usage).
  • Set wallpaper playback rules based on running foreground application.
  • Can be set to pause wallpaper when running on battery power (laptops.)
  • Wallpaper automatically pauses when running remote desktop session.

Lively is not officially affiliated with Unity technologies, godot, shadertoy;

Download

Microsoft Store (Windows 10 1809 or above)

Get it from Microsoft

Installer (Windows 10 1903 or above)

Installer may give Smartscreen warning, discussion.

Which version do I download?

Support

Are you a Lively fan and want to help out? here are some options..

Programmer

Code contributions are welcome, learn more..

Designer

Help improve UI/UX of Lively, learn more..

Localization

Help translate Lively to more languages, learn more..

Suggestions & Bug report

Suggest new features or file bug reports to improve Lively, learn more..

Patreon

Financially support Lively by become a patreon member and get your name listed in-app, learn more..

Spread the word

Star this repository, leave a Microsoft store review or tell your friend.. any help is welcome :)

License

Lively is licensed under GPL-v3.

Contributors

rocksdanister

1,077 commits

dejohansson

3 commits

everything411

1 commits

hui-shao

1 commits

Languages

C#

85.8%

Inno Setup

14.2%