When a URL is useful
A YouTube or web wallpaper makes sense for a short clip you do not want to download, or a page that already loops. It depends on a network connection and on the site remaining available. If YouTube changes playback, the wallpaper can break without any change on your PC.
High-level steps
- Copy the watch URL from YouTube, not a random third-party download page.
- Open Lively and use the add-from-URL or web wallpaper flow documented in the app.
- Paste the URL and apply it to a display.
- Mute the wallpaper if you do not want desktop audio on top of other apps.
Exact button labels can change between Lively versions. If the in-app help and this page differ, follow the app.
Limits
- Playback needs the browser engine Lively uses (WebView2) and a working network.
- Ads, age gates, or region locks on the video will also appear on the desktop.
- A local file from this library avoids those interruptions.
For a file you will keep, set a downloaded MP4 instead of streaming.