8 Easy Steps to Change Your Windows Computer Screen Saver

PDF download Download Article
Get a custom screen saver on Windows
PDF download Download Article

A screen saver appears when your computer goes idle. While it was a screen-preserving feature in the past, it's mostly cosmetic now. You can easily customize your screen saver in your Lock Screen settings. You can even change the amount of time before your computer shows the screensaver. Here's how to change your computer screen saver on Windows 10 and 11.

Quick Steps

  1. Open Settings .
  2. Click Personalization .
  3. Click Lock screen .
  4. Click Screen saver settings or Screen saver .
  5. Select a screen saver option.
  6. Click Apply , then OK .

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can click the Start menu and select the cog icon. A new window will open.
  2. On Windows 10, you'll find this in the list of settings. On Windows 11, you'll find this in the left sidebar.
    Advertisement
  3. This is in the left panel on Windows 10. On Windows 11, this is in the right panel.
  4. This is in blue text underneath Screen timeout settings .
    • A new window will open.
  5. This is underneath the monitor preview.
  6. You can select 3D Text , Blank , Bubbles , Mystify , Photos , or Ribbons .
    • Some options allow you to customize further. In this case, click Settings next to the drop-down menu to adjust the option.
  7. Click the up or down arrow next to Wait to set how much time needs to pass before the screen saver appears. You can also manually enter the number.
    • If desired, check the box for On resume, display log-on screen to sign in to your computer again when you return.
  8. The screen saver will be set.
    • When your computer is idle for the set amount of time, you'll see the screen saver. Moving your mouse or using the keyboard will exit the screen saver.
    • If you're using a laptop, this feature may impact your battery. If your battery health is already poor, you may want to disable this feature.
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I did it but I cant see screen saver on my desktop
    Community Answer
    You have to wait for however long you set your screen saver timer to. If you set your screen saver timer to two minutes (meaning it would come on after two minutes of inactivity on your computer), you have to wait two minutes.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 10
  • Question
    How do I change the screen display?
    NSA
    Community Answer
    Visit settings and locate the section called "Personalization".
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 10
  • Question
    How do I create new icon on the desktop?
    Community Answer
    Create a new shortcut or file (right click, then click new, then click whatever type of file you want).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • You can install a third-party screen saver by double-clicking its installation file (EXE), though in some cases you must first extract the screen saver file before doing so. You may also need to right-click the file and click Run as administrator or right-click it and click Install ; depending on the screen saver, you might have to click through some prompts after doing so.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      • Screen savers were initially implemented to prevent images from being burned into a computer's display. This isn't a common problem on modern computers, making screen savers largely cosmetic at this point.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Your computer's screen saver may eventually turn on if you don't move your mouse or press a key while watching a movie. To prevent this, either set the "Wait" time to well over an hour or consider disabling the screen saver temporarily.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
      • Be careful if you download a screen saver online. Like any executable file, screen saver files can be used to install viruses. [2]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Safely Clean a Laptop Screen Using Household Products
      How to
      Back up a Computer
      How to
      Ground Yourself to Avoid Destroying a Computer with Electrostatic Discharge
      How to
      Take a Screenshot on a Windows PC: 8 Simple Tricks
      How to
      Find Your Windows Product Key
      How to
      Start Windows in Safe Mode: 6 Easy Options
      11 Tips & Tricks to Fix a Missing Windows Laptop Mouse Cursor
      Easily Download and Install FFmpeg on a Windows PC
      4 Easy Ways to Access the Boot Options Menu in Windows
      How to
      Check Your Windows Version
      How to
      Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time
      How to
      Check Your Mouse DPI on Windows & Mac
      Get Rid of the "Activate Windows" Watermark in 3 Ways
      How to
      Stop Windows from Freezing: Easy Troubleshooting Guide
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-your-screen-saver-settings-a9dc2a0c-dc8e-9161-d270-aaccc252082a
      2. ↑ https://www.screensaversplanet.com/help/questions/general/are-screensavers-safe-to-use-3

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click on the Start menu.
      2. Click Settings .
      3. Click Personalization .
      4. Click Lock Screen .
      5. Click Screen Saver Settings .
      6. Select a new screen saver.
      7. Click Apply .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 178,450 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement