In context: Almost each main working system comes with modern reside wallpapers. iOS has them, Android does too, and so does macOS. Microsoft had been engaged on the same characteristic for Home windows 11, however for causes unknown, the challenge by no means made it to completion.
Former Microsoft designer Sergey Kisselev, who labored on the Home windows staff, has unveiled some intriguing ideas he helped develop. On Behance, now you can discover the dynamic desktop backgrounds Microsoft had been experimenting with.
Kisselev defined that these “residing wallpaper” designs had been initially supposed for low-cost Home windows units geared toward academic customers. Nevertheless, the broader imaginative and prescient was to “rejoice a brand new centered signature composition for Home windows 11,” aligning seamlessly with the redesigned Begin menu and taskbar.
The ideas shared by Kisselev are a vibrant assortment, that includes light animations designed to introduce refined movement to the Home windows desktop. These designs showcased summary shapes and patterns that shifted and flowed, making a dynamic but distinctly “Microsoft” aesthetic.
Kisselev additionally revealed that the wallpaper engine was designed to adapt seamlessly to each gentle and darkish modes in Home windows 11. This elegant strategy may have introduced a refreshing new look to the in any other case static Home windows desktop.
Sadly, it was not meant to be. Regardless of these formidable designs – and hints of the characteristic showing in Home windows 11 variations 22H2 and 23H2 – dynamic wallpapers by no means grew to become an official providing. In response to Home windows watcher Albacore, the potential has now been scrapped fully, with the remaining traces eliminated within the current 24H2 update.
“Have they already been scrapped?” Yeah.
The (unfinished) elements for this truly shipped with Home windows 11 model 22H2 and 23H2 however received eliminated in 24H2. The identical system part additionally powers the AI / depth impact enhanced wallpapers
All the pieces cool is destined to be canceled https://t.co/YNmEDBLve2– Albacore ☁️ (@thebookisclosed) January 2, 2025
This omission is puzzling, particularly on condition that Microsoft had beforehand explored related territory with the DreamScene characteristic in Home windows Vista. DreamScene allowed customers to set video recordsdata as animated wallpapers, hinting on the firm’s curiosity in dynamic desktop experiences.
So, what went unsuitable? It is anybody’s guess. Maybe the efficiency overhead of such a characteristic was thought-about too important, or perhaps Microsoft shifted its focus to different priorities within the Home windows 11 growth course of.
The excellent news is that in the event you’re open to utilizing third-party apps, choices like Wallpaper Engine on Steam can present related performance.
For now, you’ll be able to nonetheless admire these pleasant “might-have-beens” on Kisselev’s Behance. Even with out the animations, a few of these designs would make for modern static backgrounds.
