Windows 11 stops freaking out over wallpaper customization

Safeguard hold finally lifted as Microsoft realizes animated backgrounds aren't the end of the world

The day before the release of Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft slapped a compatibility hold on devices using wallpaper customization applications. More than six months later, it is gradually removing the safeguard hold.

Microsoft did not provide a list of the applications affected (we've asked and will update this piece should the company respond). Wallpaper customization tools are popular with users who want a personalized desktop and with organizations that use custom backgrounds for branding or communication.

Back in September, Microsoft said: "Multiple applications are affected, and symptoms can include wallpapers not appearing correctly, icons disappearing from the desktop, loss of desktop preview functionality, issues with virtual desktops, or error messages displayed by the application."

In the latest update to the situation, Microsoft confirmed it is lifting the safeguard hold gradually as developers release updates, yet has still not clarified why Windows 11 24H2 was incompatible with the applications.

Microsoft has a long and rich history of blocking UI customization apps. ExplorerPatcher and StartAllBack came unstuck in 2023, for example. However, while an app that restores a Windows 10-like experience might require deeper system-level access that Microsoft typically restricts, wallpaper customization (complete with animations) seems more innocuous.

With the hold being lifted, users can now update their systems to Windows 11 24H2, although Microsoft noted: "You might receive a message requesting you to uninstall your wallpaper app.

"We also recommend updating the app, since a newer version might be compatible. Or you may uninstall, instead. After you complete this action, you will be able to finish installing version 24H2."

Not all wallpaper customization applications were affected by the hold, although updates have been appearing. One application, Wallpaper Engine, pushed out a new version in February, which it said "improves compatibility with Windows 11 24H2" as well as including the inevitable bug fixes and enhancements.

Shortly after the release of Windows 11 24H2, a Wallpaper Engine developer posted on Reddit: "Windows 11 with the 24H2 update was released with a bug which makes Wallpaper Engine invisible when the desktop icons are invisible at startup," and for some users the company recommended installing the Windows updates released in January 2025.

It's unclear why Microsoft waited so long to lift the safeguard hold. The delay appears to be due to developers updating their apps rather than Microsoft addressing the underlying changes between Windows 11 23H2 and 24H2.

"The specific timing of the resolution of this issue on a given device may depend on the application being used and the timing of that application's update," Microsoft said

"As new versions and updates are released for these applications by their respective developers, it's expected that these issues will be resolved." ®