How to enable Dreamscene or Video Wallpaper in Windows 7
Update: Download link has been fixed.
Dreamscene was a feature introduced in Windows Vista that allowed users to have video wallpapers in the background. Microsoft seems to have replaced the Dreamscene feature from Vista with automatic changing wallpapers in Windows 7. However by adding the Dreamscene files and making a few registry changes, Dreamscene can once again be enabled. Don’t worry if that sounded intimidating, we do have a file that does all for you [if you're on 32-bit.]
Note: I was unsuccessful in getting this to work on 64-bit Windows 7 Build 7048.
Installing Dreamscene:
1) First, you need to have Aero enabled. You’ll know Aero is enabled if you’re able to preview windows in your taskbar, use Aero Peek, or see the animation effects of windows minimizing. If you think Aero isn’t enabled, open the Start menu, and type in Aero.
Click on Find and fix problems with transparency and other visual effects and go through the wizard. The wizard will determine whether your computer is capable of having Aero on.
2) If you’re on 32-bit Windows 7, download the Windows 7 Dreamscene patch here
If you’re on 64-bit Windows 7, download this patch and follow the instructions in Important Readme.txt
Then skip Step 3.
3) Run the patch and let it do it’s thing. When it’s finished, explorer.exe will restart.
If it doesn’t restart, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click on Task Manager. Right click on explorer.exe and click on End Task. Then click on File, New Task, type in explorer.exe and press OK.
Setting video clips as your desktop background
4) Before you start adding videos, you need to make sure that your videos are in .wmv or .mpg format. If they are not one of those formats, you can download a free video converter here.
Converting a video is simple. Choose Add Video at the top left corner and choose your video of choice. The drop down-menu in the right side-bar will allow you to choose your codec. On my computer, .wmv videos worked properly while .mpg videos would not work with Dreamscene.
The bottom portion of the sidebar will allow you to change the video size or bitrate. If you are not sure what those options do, the only one you should worry about is video size since some videos may end up being too large and get cut off the screen.
When the video is finished converting, a new window will pop up. Right click your video and choose Open Destination File Location to locate the video. You can also access your converted videos at this directory:
C:\users\%username%\Documents\Any Video Converter\
Once you have converted the file, just right-click and select Set as Desktop Background and Dreamscene will begin to work.
Should you want to revert back to a stationery wallpaper, sometimes the stopped video will stay frozen as your wallpaper. To fix this, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click on Task Manager. Right click on explorer.exe and click on End Task. Then click on File, New Task, type in explorer.exe and press OK.
Note: Desktop icon text will become transparent sometimes. This is a bug that has yet to be fixed.
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Tags: dreamscene, windows 7, windows 7 dreamscene
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93 Responses to “How to enable Dreamscene or Video Wallpaper in Windows 7”
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Windows 7 is still not officially released, I don’t think it’s necessary…
window 7
Does it matter when it is officially released? I sure found this useful, I think I used a different patch when I was on build 7000, Now im on build 7057 RC1, but this patch still worked fine.
the feature isn’t in the betas, and it doesn’t seem likely to return.
great article thx (the patch seems to work), btw. i’ve found a cool site with free dreamscene clips (wmv, hd) for Windows 7 DreamScene: http://www.dreamscene.org/
I wouldn’t want a video background.
It would be very distracting.
I cant wait fr Win 7
Regard,
J. Tapety
But you must wait
thanks very much
Not working!
N I C E . . . . . .
This Working!!!!!
i have my dreamscene working but only with my WMV files. is there a converter to convert my .dream files to wmv for use with my win7 ???
I followed all the steps but it doesn’t give me the option to set wmv or mpg files as desktop background when I right click them. I’m using RC 7100, does this only work for the beta?
Hey, I had that same problem and I’m also running RC 7100(64bit). I think you can fix it by restarting the explorer.exe process (the CTRL+ALT+DEL step). Also, if you’re not using an english setup of W7 you have save “Dreamscene.dll.mui” under system32\your_locale. In my case, “your_locale” is es_ES.
Hope it helps.
Thanks so much. I’ve tried 20 differnt sites that claimed to have this hack and none work but this one. Longest 4 hours of my life.
Doesnt work on build 7600 final
Worked on my 7600 final, i tried 7 others without success. then i saw u had x64 patch which none of the other walkthroughs had this. thx so much
Dreamscene for win7 64bit is currently running as expected, but I still haven’t figured out how to make the videos change automatically. Is it possible to use the new change picture every X sec/min feature with videos?
Any idea about the desktop icon text that becomes transparent? way to fix the problem ?
I have the same problem as John F Kennedy. I cant read the text on desktop icons. I really hate that. Can somebody help ?
I get the “play dreamscene” option but its greyed out and ONLY shows up if no file is selected.
If anything is selected there is no option at all…
Right click on video clip. Select as desktop option should be there. Click on it and viola. This worked for me anyway, 64-bit Win7.
Works great except 4gb ram and running 100% Win7.
Yep, icon problem as well.
64-bit works fine on my RC1 build, with the exception of the icon title transparency bug… sure wish somebody would find a fix for that!
Hi All,
Try and google dcolorxp12.zip took some mucking around but I eventually got the text back for the icons. It’s small and free.
I must say that I have a fairly tough notebook and dreamscene still managed to slow it down, I turned if off today, sad as it worked very well under Vista without the recourse draw. It also managed to hand W7 when I put it to sleep.
Oh man! you rock!
thank you so much!
works flawlessly ^_^
Awesomeness!!!
Thank you.. great tutorial!
hi
nice but why audio not working
Sound has never worked in dreamscene.
sorry for late replying……
check dreamscene in vista then back to me
I don’t have to as I used dreamscene in Vista all of the time and it never worked!
I won’t use it in W7 as it is a mem hog.
Actually, it does. Just adjust it’s level with the mixer. Windows 7 provides one volume bar per application and Dreamscene is nothing but another app so you’ll find it there.
TEMPORARY INVISIBLE TEXT FIX…WORKS AFTER RESTART:
-right click a video and set to desktop background
-set folder options to show hidden files
-go to…
C:\Users\#username#\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows DreamScene
-there should be 2 image files of the dreamscene running (1 hidden/greyed)
-set both files to “read only” & uncheck “hidden”
-right click desktop > personalise > desktop background
-under windows dreamscene, you should see both image files
-make sure both are checked by clicking check boxes next to them
-set Picture position: Fill
-save changes
NOTE: You can now set any dreamscene without text bug, however if you dont
do the above procedure everytime you set a different video, you will briefly see the
image of the first video you set at windows startup…therefore just delete both images
that was set to “read only” and start procedure again on new video.
I have windows 7 Ultimate (build 7600) and this is something i wished it had, now i can have it MUHAHAHAHA!
[...] [...]
Working perfect, thank you very much. Also noticed that its able to get avi-files to work just by renaming the file-type to wmv.
IS it? Thanks mate. And thanks Al for the superb tutorial…
working in Win7 release. Thanks!
THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH! I know it’s a “small” think in the scope of an operating system, but I LOVED my Dream Scenes and was highly peeved to see they were gone. So a big thank you to those who dug in and put together this fix.
Now, I MAY have discovered a very simple fix for the icons on the desktop that weird out when the Dream Scenes fix is applied. All I did was change the settings of the hidden files back to hidden status (via the Windows Explorer/Organize/Folder and search options) and voila, the desktop icons look normal again. We’ll see what happens when I reboot again, but for now, they look great!
Thanks again!
As this IS a feature that people want (just google and you’ll see) is there any hope of it being re-incorporated as an add-on.
I REALLY liked being able to select my Dreamscapes in the nice “personalization” menu just like backgrounds. I’ll gladly wait for a decent installer/menu, as opposed to this duct tape method.
I fixed the background by changing the theme, then re-applying the video to the wallpaper. Now they all work perfectly. Thanks for this
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Retail
I’m having what would probably be a worst case scenario thing. I have Win 7 64-bit. I ran the 64-bit patch and restarted as instructed. After restarting, I found I was no longer connected to the internet. The 2 other computers in my house are, but mine is not. I’ve tried several things including reg scans, virus scans, and system restore. I’ve had no luck. Can anyone help?
Hats off!!
I am using Win 7 Ultimate Retail Boxpack and with Dream Scenes!!
Thank you very much.
[...] How to enable Dreamscene or Video Wallpaper in Windows 7 | Windows 7 Center (tags: windows7 DreamScene howto install) [...]
so…. if i want to remove this now that i’ve installed it how do i do that?
just do the opposite of install. Find and delete the dll, reg, and mui file you put in. Then reboot system. Done easy finished.
hey thanks!! is working very good!!!!
thank u
very much
nice feature.. though am not using win7, i am gathering knowledge abt it.. anyways thank you for sharing the info.
Hey, i followed your instructions, but it doesn’t work! I don’t have the entry “Set as Desktop Background” when i click with the right button on a wmv-file. Can someone help me??? thanks
Did you try an .mpg? Did you install the software into the right places? Not for nothing though, I stopped using it because it was using up too much memory for what it does. I liked it, but as it finally made my desktop icon titles completely disappear and the usual fixes for it do not work any longer. I will wait for the official software before I use it again.
sorry i forgot, i use windows 7 enterprise 64Bit
I applied the patch as instructed, and when I press “Set as desktop background” nothing happens. Windows 7 x64. I did apply the right patch for 64bit. May it have been an update that killed the hack ?
Great article!
I found a great website that provides best Video Converter and free video converter.
I can’t setup for win7(PRO)x64 buit 7600 RTM help me pl !!!
TQ… very m
Hi,
I first had an error when clickinq on “Set As Windows Desktop Background” about the Translucent Selection Rectangle which was not enabled. I enabled it in Computer / Properties / Advanced System Settings / Advanced / Settings (Performance). It works.
a+, =)
-=Finiderire=-
Configuration :
Windows Seven x64 Ultimate
Stone stock win 7 ultimate 64 followed instructions, don’t even get an option for add video.
Again,…there’s a demand for this, why doesn’t MS just fix it, this can’t be that hard. This and getting the “old” file menu back, customers don’t like it when you remove features from next gen releases.
Hello. I have have a dual monitor setup and it seems if I maximize a window the video stops, but if I un-maximize it then it plays. Is there a way to fix that? thanks.
I have this working on two Windows 7 Ultimate machines, one with the RC and the other the RTM version.
But I do see that running it on a dual-monitor machine really loads down the processors (up to 30% for each of my dual-cores) and heats up the GPU (up to 70 degrees) so I can imagine it may cause problems. Only my quad-core Vista Ultimate machine can run DreamScenes without having some impact on other programs.
this dreamscene wont download waste of time
Hey, i followed your instructions, but it doesn’t work! I don’t have the entry “Set as Desktop Background” when i click with the right button on a wmv-file. Can someone help me??? thanks
This works flawlessly for me with vista home premium 64 sp2 if anyone needs assurance.
Be sure to change to Properties of the downloaded archive and “Unblock” it before copying files from it.
Wow, even the x64 doesn’t work on 7600 legitimate box copy of win 7 ult x64 you fail and edit this so people don’t waste their time.
i have windows 7 home basic but aero is only available windows 7 home premium.
What to do ???
HELP !!!!!
will work on win 7 64bit
no desktop / setting however if you rightclick on a wmv file you can set as desktop background after following sets on this site
i m not getting
thanks..its work on my win7 32bit..
nice..
I love how it doesnt say how to start the actual program
i have windows 7 home basic but aero is only available windows 7 home premium.
I’ve got the Dreamscenes working fine with Win 7 but not DColor for the icon text. I can open the app and change things but no effect.
Anyone else having luck?
i have the same problem like John’s.
the text on the icons messed up
any idea how to fix this thing?
just fallowed the walkthrough that john F kennedy post earlier in this page ..i got the same problem , faloowed the instructions and now its working flawlessly…
i got it fixed! thx dude! i didn’t see it before :p
Guys there is another cool solution………go to this link….http://www.askvg.com/how-to-get-windows-vistas-dreamscene-feature-in-windows-7/
it is the same tool with different language
i have dreamscene installed and i some how found a work around for the icon text transparent issue, what i did after i applied a dream scene i went to personalize > windows color > uncheck enable transparency then click on hide color mixer and mov brightness all the way to the left, then save changes. then i went to desktop background in personalize change it to a standard wallpaper and save changes , after that i went back to mt folder with my dreamscene and right on it and click set as background and everything was fine
-anubis23
you can find the solutions for the problem in here: http://windows7center.com/tutorials/how-to-enable-dreamscene-in-windows-7/#comment-8798
thx to John
*cheers
I have Windows 7 Professional, 64 bit, and I downloaded the rare and followed the Important Readme to the letter and everything worked perfectly. Thankyou so much, this Dreamscene is awesome. I got one right now in deep space with huge asteroids slowly moving towards you and out of the screen, it’s all dark and bluish. Totally awesome.
Anyways I just wanted to say thanks. Works perfect on my 64 bit. I had the same issue with the icons being all funny/unreadable, but I like to hide the desktop icons anyways, so for me it wasn’t a problem.
i’m replying on the wrong post LOL
you can find the solutions for the problem in here: http://windows7center.com/tutorials/how-to-enable-dreamscene-in-windows-7/#comment-8798
thx to John
*cheers
the patch works great! thx to david for providing a solution for the transparent icon text problem. for all of you searching for fee win7 dreamscenes (.wmv), maybe this is a good place: http://www.dreamscene.org/gallery.php?Cmd=Show&site=all#downloadgallery
.. free win 7 dreamscenes, not fee .. sorry
ok now im really stupid or i cant get this fing workin im advanced user tired all above fings kant get it wrkin !!!
explain step by step also >>> sum guy is explain dis >>>>Also, if you’re not using an english setup of W7 you have save “Dreamscene.dll.mui” under system32\your_locale. In my case, “your_locale” is es_ES.
under C:/???? where giv me fookin full path nuffin is workin for me im not using RC releases ive got propa 64bit pro win7
simpler way
1) Right click your desktop and click Personalize
2) Click on Desktop Background
3) Click on Pick Position and change to “Fill”
4) Click Save
5) Your desktop background movie show be gone, but all you have to do is set it again. Find the movie you used as your background, right click it, and click Set As Background.
6) Voila! Now your background will be the video you wanted, and your desktop icons’ text will be the default white color.
Strange.. my desktop started to be kinda laggy after I fixed the bug. I used J F Kenedy´s way.
Thanks!
I have it running on windows 7 ultimate 64bit.
Had trouble getting it to work at first but it is working perfectly now.
I am using the Asteroids.mpg:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvGNNKfzB_Q
I have an I7 processor and 6gb of ddr3 triple channel memory and a 9800gt video card.
This runs with no problem even at 2048×1152 resolution.
To reverse the process I delete the dll and dll.mui right? How exactly do I then reverse the “Run Dscene.reg”? Thanks.
[...] background. Can anyone help out with this? This is the tutorial I used to try to get this to work: http://windows7center.com/tutorials/…-in-windows-7/ __________________ ** Get What You Paid For From ATI/AMD Letter! ** *OFFICIAL* ATI 5xxx Series [...]
Boooooo – Can’t get this to work at all.
I have done as JFK has stated earlier – rebooted, still can’t get MPG or WMV to become background.
I have Win 7 64 Bit Home Premium.
Running 8 GB Memory – Quad Core Processor at 2.3GHz
I am going to scrap what I have done so far – might get lucky with an actual add on app in the future.
Five
sorry…not JFK…I meant to say the Author of Post…thought was same guy!
Still can’t get this to work though!
works like a charm for me on ultimate x64. however it really makes my cpu work while running it so keep an eye on that.
thank you,
this is great, , ,
and it works,
but
how can i uninstaled Windows 7 Dreamscene patch,from my computer,because i’m using windows 7 32 bit,
hallooooo,
any body can solved my problem