Does Wallpaper Engine work with steam closed?

Does Wallpaper Engine Work with Steam Closed?

Wallpaper Engine is a popular desktop wallpaper app that allows users to customize their desktop backgrounds with a wide range of video and image options. One common question that users often ask is whether Wallpaper Engine works when Steam is closed. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide some insights on how Wallpaper Engine operates.

Only When You Launch the App from Steam

According to Wallpaper Engine’s FAQ, the app only requires Steam to be launched once, when you first install and set it up. After that, you can exit Steam, and Wallpaper Engine will continue to run in the background, displaying your chosen wallpaper. This means that you don’t need to keep Steam open for Wallpaper Engine to function.

What About Wallpaper Engine’s Core Functionalities?

Wallpaper Engine’s core functionalities, such as browsing and setting wallpapers, uploading new wallpapers, and installing updates, do require Steam to be running. However, these functionalities are not essential for the app’s primary function, which is to display your chosen wallpaper on your desktop.

Does Wallpaper Engine Use a Lot of CPU or RAM?

No, Wallpaper Engine doesn’t use a lot of CPU or RAM. In fact, the app is designed to be lightweight and efficient, using minimal system resources. This means that it won’t significantly impact your computer’s performance, even when running in the background.

What About Windows 10 End of Support?

As of October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will reach its end of support, which means that Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for the operating system. Wallpaper Engine will continue to work on Windows 10 until that date, but users may experience issues or incompatibilities with newer software and hardware.

Making Wallpaper Engine Less Laggy

If you’re experiencing lag or performance issues with Wallpaper Engine, there are a few things you can try to improve its performance:

• Disable background recording hooks: Try disabling these hooks and see if it makes a difference. Then, exclude Wallpaper Engine from any recording or overlay programs that may be loading themselves into the app.
• Exclude Wallpaper Engine from recording programs: Check if any recording or overlay programs are loading themselves into Wallpaper Engine and slowing down rendering.
• Check for updates: Make sure you’re running the latest version of Wallpaper Engine, as updates often include performance improvements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Wallpaper Engine does work with Steam closed, and you don’t need to keep Steam running for the app to function. However, some core functionalities may require Steam to be launched. Wallpaper Engine is a lightweight app that uses minimal system resources, making it a great choice for those who want to customize their desktop backgrounds without sacrificing performance. By following the tips above, you can also improve the app’s performance and make it run smoothly on your system.