How to Set a WebP Image as Wallpaper in Windows 11

Up-to-date Windows 11 systems can use a .webp image directly as the desktop background. You can choose the file in Settings > Personalization > Background or right-click it in File Explorer. Older builds may require an update or a simple conversion to PNG or JPEG.

Set a WebP wallpaper from Settings

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Select Personalization > Background.
3. Set Personalize your background to Picture.
4. Select Browse photos, choose the .webp file, and select Choose picture.
5. Use Choose a fit for your desktop image to select Fill, Fit, Stretch, Tile, Center, or Span.

Fill is usually the best starting point for a photograph because it covers the screen while preserving the image proportions, although Windows may crop the edges. Fit shows the entire picture and may leave empty bars. Span is intended for one wide image across multiple displays.

Set a WebP wallpaper from File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer and locate the WebP file.
2. Right-click the image.
3. Select Set as desktop background. If the compact menu does not show it, choose Show more options and check the expanded menu.

This route is fastest for a single image. Use the Settings method when you also need to adjust the fit, choose a solid color, configure a slideshow, or review the preview.

Why some Windows 11 PCs do not show WebP

Microsoft first documented direct WebP wallpaper support in Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26220.7653 in January 2026. The company later included it in the February 2026 preview update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft’s update notes confirm both the Settings and File Explorer methods.

Feature delivery is gradual, and managed work PCs may receive updates on an organization’s schedule. If the file picker rejects WebP or the context-menu command is missing:

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates and install the normal cumulative updates offered for the PC.
3. Restart Windows and try the file again.
4. Confirm that the filename actually ends in .webp and that the file opens normally in Photos or a browser.

You do not need to join the Windows Insider Program merely to obtain the feature on a supported, fully updated production build.

Fallback: set the image through Photos

Some older Windows 11 versions can apply a WebP image through the Photos app even when Settings does not list the format:

1. Right-click the file and select Open with > Photos.
2. Open the three-dot menu.
3. Select Set as > Background or Desktop background, depending on the Photos version.

If that command also fails, convert the picture instead of installing an unknown wallpaper utility.

Convert WebP to PNG or JPEG when necessary

Open the WebP file in Microsoft Paint, choose File > Save as, and select PNG picture or JPEG picture. PNG preserves transparency and sharp edges but can create a larger file. JPEG is usually smaller for photographs but does not preserve transparency.

For more on the format and conversion tradeoffs, see what a WebP file is and how to open it. Avoid uploading a private image to an online converter when Paint can process it locally.

What happens to animated or transparent WebP files?

• Animated WebP: Windows desktop backgrounds are static. Direct WebP support does not turn the desktop into a video or animated wallpaper; expect a still frame rather than motion.
• Transparent WebP: The image can contain transparency, but the final desktop appearance depends on how Windows composites and fits it. Convert it to a flattened PNG or JPEG first when you need a predictable background color.
• Very small images: stretching a low-resolution WebP across a large display can make it look soft or blocky. Use an image close to the display’s pixel dimensions.

Use WebP in a wallpaper slideshow

Open Settings > Personalization > Background, choose Slideshow, and select the folder containing the images. If an updated PC skips WebP files in that folder, convert those files to PNG or JPEG for consistent rotation.

Our complete guide to changing Windows wallpaper covers Picture, Solid color, and Slideshow modes. For more slideshow controls, see Windows 11 photo slideshow options.

WebP support removes an unnecessary conversion step for images downloaded from modern websites. If the option is absent, update Windows first; converting the file locally remains the most reliable fallback.