Release Big Update · rocksdanister/lively (original) (raw)

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 (by default 95%.)
  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.
• No more wallpaper restarts during some system changes - a limitation of older versions has been removed.

Special thanks to Microsoft engineers and community members who reached out and helped.

Enhancements

• Added new Choose a Fit option for scaling desktop picture wallpaper.
• 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 theme color (dark/light) while loading for the first time.
• 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.

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 an issue where wallpapers did not respect Windows swapped mouse button settings.
• 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.

Updates

• Updated MPV player.
• Updated to .NET 9.
• Updated WindowsAppSDK.
• Updated dependencies (includes important security patches.)
• Updated community translations.

Known Issues

• When keyboard input is enabled for wallpapers, key presses may be duplicated because the wallpaper also captures input when focused. As a workaround, switch to mouse input mode when typing.

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