How to Install Wallpaper Engine on Windows

What you need before installing

You need Steam and a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Wallpaper Engine’s minimum requirements are below. More demanding wallpapers need more powerful hardware.

Steam recommends 1 GB for the app. Workshop wallpapers use additional space. Check the file size on the right before subscribing, especially for video wallpapers.

1. Find Wallpaper Engine in your Steam library

1. Open Steam and select Library.
2. Open the filter above the library list and make sure Software is checked. Steam puts Wallpaper Engine in this category.
3. Search for Wallpaper Engine and select it.

2. Install and launch the app

1. Click Install and choose where to save the app. Steam shows the space needed before you confirm.
2. Wait for the download to finish, then click Launch.
3. Choose a quality preset in the first-time setup. On a slower PC, start with Low; you can change it later.

3. Choose a screen and a wallpaper

1. If you use several monitors, click Choose display, select the screen you want to change, then click Change Wallpaper.
2. Open the Workshop tab and search for a wallpaper. Use Filter results to narrow the choice by resolution, type or age rating.
3. Select a wallpaper and click Subscribe. Steam downloads it and adds it to Installed.
4. Open Installed and select the wallpaper to use it. Adjust its options on the right.

4. Start Wallpaper Engine with Windows

1. Open Settings inside Wallpaper Engine, then select General.
2. Under Automatic Startup, turn on Start with Windows.
3. Next time you sign in to Windows, your wallpaper starts in the background. To open the app, use its icon beside the Windows clock. Click the small arrow there if the icon is hidden.

5. Pause wallpapers while gaming

Choose Pause to pause the wallpaper while a fullscreen game is open. Choose Stop (free memory) to unload it as well, freeing the memory it uses.

If something does not work