Microsoft is working on AI-powered dynamic desktop backgrounds in Windows 11

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Usama Jawad Neowin @UsamaJawad96 · Jul 9, 2025 02:44 EDT

Windows 11 Insider Preview builds are rolled out on a frequent basis, bringing new features and enhancements. While Microsoft publicizes most new capabilities via dedicated blog posts, there are some improvements which are hidden - or dormant - because they are still under development and the company isn't ready to take off the wraps just yet. A recent example of this is the upcoming redesigned battery indicator which is actively being worked on.

Now, prolific Windows enthusiast @phantomofearth on X (formerly Twitter) has uncovered a few details about Microsoft's latest, unpublicized Windows efforts. It seems like the firm is yet again working on AI-powered desktop backgrounds. Strings inside recent Windows 11 preview builds refer to Dynamic background and a dialog message noting that "Your background will automatically update based on your selections".

Although these references are present in the Insider builds, they have not been developed yet, so it is impossible to enable and test them, at least for now. This also means that it is unclear what factors will influence the dynamic nature of the desktop background. The "selections" indicate that users will have to give at least some sort of input in order to take advantage of this feature. However, it would be really interesting to see Windows using other local indicators present on your PC such as telemetry about your digital routine and preferences to figure out what AI-generated or AI-rotated dynamic background would suit your style.

This is not the first time we have seen hints about Microsoft making headway in this area. Back in March 2023, we saw references to Depth effects, Parallax Background, and WallpaperMotion, but those were fairly difficult to enable and test too. You would think that Microsoft would be ready to roll out AI-powered dynamic desktop backgrounds soon to ride this wave of AI, but given that it has been at least two years since the company has been working on this front, it's difficult to predict timelines for general availability.