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Free and open-source software that allows users to set animated desktop wallpapers and screensavers powered by WinUI 3.
Creates tiles for most Windows 8.1 and 10 start menu icons
Quick Overview
WinDynamicDesktop is an open-source application that brings macOS Mojave's dynamic desktop feature to Windows. It changes your desktop wallpaper based on the time of day, providing a seamless transition between day and night scenes. The app supports various theme packs and offers customization options for users.
Pros
- Brings a popular macOS feature to Windows users
- Supports multiple theme packs, including official Apple wallpapers and community-created themes
- Offers customization options for transition times and wallpaper scheduling
- Lightweight and easy to use with a simple user interface
Cons
- May have a slight impact on system resources, especially on older hardware
- Limited to desktop wallpaper changes, unlike some more comprehensive theming tools
- Requires manual theme downloads and installations for additional wallpaper options
- May not work perfectly with multi-monitor setups in some cases
Getting Started
- Download the latest release from the GitHub releases page.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- After installation, launch WinDynamicDesktop from the Start menu.
- Choose a theme pack from the available options or download additional themes.
- Configure your location and preferred transition times in the settings.
- Enjoy your dynamic desktop wallpaper that changes throughout the day!
Note: This project is not a code library, so code examples and a quick start guide for developers are not applicable.
Competitor Comparisons
Free and open-source software that allows users to set animated desktop wallpapers and screensavers powered by WinUI 3.
Pros of Lively
- Supports a wider variety of wallpaper types, including videos, web pages, and applications
- Offers more customization options and interactive elements
- Includes a built-in wallpaper creation tool
Cons of Lively
- Higher system resource usage due to more complex features
- Steeper learning curve for users due to additional functionality
- May require more frequent updates to maintain compatibility with various media types
Code Comparison
WinDynamicDesktop (C#):
public static string GetSunriseSunsetTimes(double latitude, double longitude, DateTime date)
{
var calculator = new SolarTimes(latitude, longitude);
var solarTimes = calculator.Calculate(date);
return $"{solarTimes.Sunrise:HH:mm},{solarTimes.Sunset:HH:mm}";
}
Lively (C#):
public static void SetWallpaper(string path, WallpaperType type)
{
switch (type)
{
case WallpaperType.Video:
VideoPlayer.Play(path);
break;
case WallpaperType.Web:
WebRenderer.Load(path);
break;
// ... other cases
}
}
The code snippets demonstrate the different focus areas of each project. WinDynamicDesktop calculates sunrise and sunset times for dynamic wallpapers, while Lively handles various wallpaper types with a more complex setup process.
Creates tiles for most Windows 8.1 and 10 start menu icons
Pros of TileIconifier
- Focuses on customizing Windows Start menu tiles and icons
- Allows creation of custom tiles for desktop applications
- Supports a wide range of Windows versions (7, 8, 8.1, 10)
Cons of TileIconifier
- Limited to tile and icon customization, doesn't affect overall desktop appearance
- Requires manual creation and configuration of custom tiles
- Less frequent updates compared to WinDynamicDesktop
Code Comparison
TileIconifier (C#):
public static BitmapSource CreateBitmapSourceFromBitmap(Bitmap bitmap)
{
return Imaging.CreateBitmapSourceFromHBitmap(
bitmap.GetHbitmap(),
IntPtr.Zero,
Int32Rect.Empty,
BitmapSizeOptions.FromEmptyOptions());
}
WinDynamicDesktop (Python):
def get_current_theme():
return {
"name": config["currentTheme"],
"imageFilename": config["imageFilename"],
"sunriseImageList": config["sunriseImageList"],
"dayImageList": config["dayImageList"],
"sunsetImageList": config["sunsetImageList"],
"nightImageList": config["nightImageList"]
}
The code snippets show different focuses: TileIconifier deals with bitmap manipulation for custom tiles, while WinDynamicDesktop manages theme configurations for dynamic wallpapers.
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WinDynamicDesktop
Port of macOS Mojave Dynamic Desktop feature to Windows 10 and 11. Available on GitHub and the Microsoft Store.
Themes
Pick any of the themes bundled with macOS, or many more themes available for download here
Schedule
Choose a schedule for cycling through wallpaper images over 24 hours
Scripts
Extend the behavior of WinDynamicDesktop with PowerShell scripts, and share them with other users here
Supported Devices
WinDynamicDesktop is developed primarily for Windows 11, but should run on any device with Windows 7 or newer. Windows Insider builds are not officially supported.
Resources
- Get Help
- Translate on POEditor
- .ddw Theme Creator (thanks @gdstewart)
Known Issues
Limitations
Disclaimers
- Wallpaper images are not owned by me, they belong to Apple
- LocationIQ API is used when your enter your location, to convert it to latitude and longitude
- Microsoft Store app uses the Windows location API if permission is granted
- App icon made by Roundicons from flaticon.com and is licensed by CC 3.0 BY
Top Related Projects
Free and open-source software that allows users to set animated desktop wallpapers and screensavers powered by WinUI 3.
Creates tiles for most Windows 8.1 and 10 start menu icons
Convert designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot