This is the biggest update in a long time and comes with better wallpaper pausing, better localization, better screensavers and over 20+ fixes and improvements - including full compatibility with Windows 11 24H2.
Grid Pause Algorithm
grid_pause.mp4
- Replaced the default foreground window based pause detection with a grid based screen coverage algorithm - the screen is now divided into a grid (tiles), and intersection calculation is used to check if windows are visually covering the display.
Solves several edge cases where the previous logic failed:- Multiple windows (example: side by side), now correctly trigger pause.
- Works even if a background window, not the foreground one, is covering the wallpaper.
- Each display can now pause independently in per-display mode.
- Reliable desktop detection.
To see the detection in real time, right-click the Lively tray icon and choose Report Bug → Grid Detection Overlay.
- Now when duplicate layout is selected all wallpapers are paused.
- New All Process algorithm available in settings - scans all windows and check for fullscreen.
Learn more
Note: Some performance related settings will be reset to default after this update.
Animated WebP Support
webp_support.mp4
- Added support for animated WebP format.
- WebP files are converted to WebM during import.
This is an initial experiment, planning on adding conversion support for more formats in the future. - Wallpaper customization is supported.
Language Enhancements
localization.mp4
- Added custom language selection - preferred language can be selected from settings.
- [Experimental] Language change applies instantly without requiring an app restart.
- Added localization support for:
- LivelyProperties (wallpaper customization.)
- LivelyInfo (wallpaper metadata.)
Show documentation
Wallpaper Enhancements
wallpaper_creation.mp4
- Improved wallpaper import system: now copies wallpaper file(s) to the wallpaper library location instead of just referencing the original path.
- Previously imported wallpapers remain unaffected - to migrate them, use the Edit option in library.
- For wallpaper projects with multiple files, a confirmation dialog now shows the expected folder structure before importing.
- From this version onward, newly imported wallpapers no longer depend on the original file - you can safely delete it without causing file not found errors.
- Faster bulk imports: multiple media wallpapers are now imported faster by utilizing system thumbnail cache.
WebView2 (Default)
webview2_install.mp4
- WebView2 is now the default browser engine for website wallpapers.
- Since WebView2 comes pre-installed with Windows, the app no longer needs to bundle a browser engine, reducing the install size by ~50%.
- Now website wallpapers supports H.264 media playback out of the box.
- New debug DevTools - opens in a separate window.
- Improved handling of media elements - when a wallpaper is paused, any playing video or audio elements on the page are also paused automatically.
- Previous CefSharp player is provided as additional download.
Note: Some browser related settings will be reset to default after this update.
Screensaver Enhancements
screensaver_fadein.mp4
- Fade-in animation when screensaver starts, any user input during this phase cancels activation. #2736
- Introduced a grace period: if input is received shortly after screensaver starts, system lock is skipped (when "lock on resume" is enabled.) #2806
- Screensaver settings have been reorganized and are now part of the main settings page for easier access.
Video Enhancements
- Upgraded to MPV player’s new gpu-next video backend.
- Better performance and improved video quality.
- Enhances color accuracy and HDR passthrough support in settings.
Windows 11 24H2 Compatibility
- Core components were fully rewritten to adapt to platform changes introduced in Windows 11 24H2.
- Fixed a critical issue where wallpapers could enter a restart loop on this version of Windows.
Special thanks to Microsoft engineers and community members who reached out and helped.
Fixes
- Fixed unwanted border appearing on top-left of video wallpapers.
If you previously added border=no to mpv.conf as a workaround, it's recommended to remove it now. - Fixed website login not persisting across wallpaper restarts, requires disk cache to be enabled in settings.
- Fixed website wallpaper having wrong display scale.
- Fixed screensaver plugin required message not updating.
- Fixed missing wallpaper art in screensaver dialog when preview file is absent.
- Fixed screensaver stopping early with "lock on resume" enabled.
- Fixed on-screen controls showing in video screensavers.
- Fixed local file wallpapers not loading in WebView2.
- Fixed wallpaper remains paused in some instances even when on desktop.
- Fixed "Restore Default" button not visible when LivelyProperty is empty.
- Fixed input issues in newer CefSharp player versions.
- Fixed file picker allowing multiple selections where only one was expected.
- Fixed screenshot capture, theme and desktop picture not working in WebView2 player.
- Fixed webpage wallpaper briefly ignoring mute setting on startup.
- Fixed incorrect layout in screensaver dialog when using mirror mode.
- Fixed unnecessary error messages on first startup if config files are missing.
- Fixed customize tray-menu not fitting on screen in some system configurations.
- Fixed FileNotFound exception when using absolute path URL wallpapers.
- Fixed MPV player screenshot feature crashing on some systems.
- Fixed file save dialog not opening when app is run elevated.
- Fixed missing app icon in WebView2 wallpaper player.
- Fixed video not looping in VLC player.
Enhancements
- Improved MPV error messages for file loading and unknown arguments.
- Added system tray tooltip for wallpaper errors when UI is closed.
- Optimized page navigation for smoother and faster UI performance.
- Website wallpapers now follow application theme (dark/light.)
- Website wallpapers now show dark color instead of white while loading.
- Made the screensaver setup message dismissible.
- Reload command-line control now supports optional monitor argument.
Show documentation - Volume command-line control now supports increment/decrement.
Show documentation - Added new fadeIn command-line argument for starting the screensaver with a fade effect.
Show documentation - Set wallpaper command-line control random argument now selects a different wallpaper if the current one is already running.
- Improved error presentation in the wallpaper customize dialog.
- Improved file downloader with better error handling and performance.
- Improved performance of video wallpaper screenshot capture (app theme and desktop picture).
- Added WebView2 install prompt when selecting it in settings if the runtime is missing.
- Added in-app notification when WebView2 runtime is missing while selecting a wallpaper.
- Changed wallpaper directory UI: address bar now opens the folder, side button allows selecting a new folder.
- Switch from ListView to Segmented control in active wallpaper dialog.
- New Grid visualizer debug tool in Diagnostic page.
- Lots of code refactoring.
Updates
- Updated MPV player.
- Updated to .NET 9.
- Updated WindowsAppSDK.
- Updated dependencies (includes important security patches.)
- Updated community translations.
SHA256
d60590c94c3e9fbc141327d82330ac8884e8c73dae6ef1ffeee881cae6c6bc86
From the Developer
It’s been a while since the last Lively update - I took a health break and have been gradually easing back into development. During this time, I also worked on a few side projects.. cue self promotion 😁
Screenbox - An open-source media player based on VLC created by Tung Huynh. I contributed a real-time audio visualizer, based by Lively’s own wallpaper visualizer.
screenbox_15s_demo.mp4
Lively Weather - A native DirectX powered animated weather app I’ve been building alongside. The latest update brings upto 50% performance boost after implementing D2D1 shaders.
lw_renderer.mp4