Forget boring static wallpapers. Here's how to energize your Windows background with a stunning animated GIF or YouTube video ...

Windows 3.0 was the first version of Windows to allow you to set a wallpaper for the desktop, but while some proper images were included, most of these wallpapers were made to be fairly light.

Still, if you just want to download an app, find a gorgeous wallpaper, and enjoy Geralt of Rivia bobbing up and down on your desktop, Wallpaper Engine is easily worth the $3.99.

Yes, Windows 11/10 allows live wallpaper without any problem. All the wallpapers mentioned are not going to cause any damage to your PC or hinder its performance.

There are multiple ways to make a custom wallpaper for Windows. You could use software to make your background, or you could employ online editing platforms like Canva to edit your images.

These wallpapers aren't old; they're retro. To be clear, I spent my formative years with Windows 98 (Second Edition, naturally) and later graduated to Windows XP for my MSN Messenger-addicted teens.