The basic steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, but both take less than a minute

A screensaver is a moving image or pattern that appears on your screen when you haven't used your computer for a set amount of time — usually a few minutes. Changing it means going into your display settings and picking a different one from the options your operating system offers. On Windows, you right-click your desktop and select "Personalize," then click "Lock screen" and scroll down to "Screensaver settings." On Mac, you open System Settings, click "Lock Screen," then select "Screensaver" and choose from the gallery.

The reason screensavers exist is historical: older monitors could develop permanent marks if the same image stayed on screen for hours. Modern screens don't have this problem, so screensavers are now mostly decorative. But they still serve a practical purpose — they can lock your screen automatically after a period of inactivity, which adds a layer of security if you step away from your desk without locking manually.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows screensaver settings are found in Personalize > Lock screen > Screensaver settings, where you can choose from built-in options like Blank, Ribbons, or Photos.
  • Mac screensavers are accessed through System Settings > Lock Screen > Screensaver, and you can select from Apple's default collection or use your own photos.
  • You can set how many minutes of inactivity trigger the screensaver, and whether it requires a password to wake the screen again.
  • Screensavers no longer prevent monitor damage on modern screens, but they can automatically lock your computer for security when you step away.

How to change your screensaver on Windows 11

Right-click anywhere on your desktop background and select "Personalize" from the menu. This opens the Personalization settings panel. On the left side, click "Lock screen," then scroll down until you see "Screensaver settings" and click it.

A small window will open showing a preview of your current screensaver. Click the dropdown menu that says "Screensaver" and select a different one. Windows comes with several built-in options: Blank (a black screen), Ribbons (colored flowing lines), Mystify (geometric shapes), Starfield (moving stars), and Photos (a slideshow of your pictures). Click on each one to see a preview in the small window. Once you've chosen, click "explore" and then "OK."

In the same window, you can also set how many minutes of inactivity pass before the screensaver turns on — the default is usually 10 minutes. If you want your computer to lock automatically when the screensaver appears, check the box that says "On resume, display logon screen." This means you'll need to enter your password to get back to your desktop.

How to change your screensaver on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." In the sidebar, click "Lock Screen." You'll see a section labeled "Screensaver" with a dropdown menu showing your current choice. Click the dropdown to see all available screensavers.

Apple includes screensavers like Aerial (video of landscapes from around the world), Floating Message, Kaleidoscope, and others. Select one and you'll see a preview on your screen. You can also click "Add" to use your own photos as a screensaver — this creates a slideshow from a folder you choose. Once you've made your selection, close the settings window and your choice is saved automatically.

On the same screen, you can set the delay time using the "Start after" dropdown. The default is usually 10 or 15 minutes. If you want your Mac to lock when the screensaver starts, check "Require password when ready" — this means you'll need to enter your password or use Touch ID to wake the screen.

Why you might want to use a screensaver with automatic locking

Modern monitors don't suffer from the image burn-in that older screens did, so screensavers are no longer necessary to protect your hardware. However, pairing a screensaver with automatic locking creates a straightforward security layer: if you step away from your desk and forget to lock your computer manually, the screensaver will turn on after a few minutes, and if you've enabled password protection, anyone who walks by won't be able to access your files without your password.

This is especially useful in shared spaces like offices, libraries, or coffee shops. It's less critical if you're the only person with physical access to your computer at home, but it's still a good habit. The alternative is to lock your screen manually every time you step away — you can do this on Windows by pressing Windows key + L, or on Mac by pressing Control + Command + Q.

Using your own photos as a screensaver

On Windows, when you select "Photos" from the screensaver dropdown, you can click "Settings" to choose which folder the photos come from. Windows will cycle through all the images in that folder. You can also adjust how long each photo displays before moving to the next one.

On Mac, the process is simpler: click "Add" next to the Screensaver dropdown, then select a folder of photos. Mac will create a slideshow from that folder. You can choose whether the photos display in order or randomly, and how long each one stays on screen.

Both systems will display photos at full screen, so they work well for family photos, travel pictures, or artwork you want to see regularly. If you don't have a folder of photos yet, you can create one and move images into it, then point your screensaver settings to that folder.

Turning off your screensaver entirely

On Windows, open Screensaver settings as described above, click the dropdown menu, and select "None." Click "explore" and "OK." Your screensaver will no longer turn on.

On Mac, open System Settings > Lock Screen, click the Screensaver dropdown, and select "None." The setting saves automatically. If you disable the screensaver but still want your screen to lock after inactivity for security, you can set a separate "Turn display off after" time in the same Lock Screen settings — this will darken your screen without showing a screensaver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video file as my screensaver?

Windows and Mac don't natively support video files as screensavers through their standard settings. However, you can use a slideshow of still images instead, which creates a similar effect. Some third-party screensaver software allows video, but this requires downloading and installing additional programs.

What happens if I set the screensaver delay to zero minutes?

Setting it to zero means the screensaver turns on when ready when you stop using your keyboard and mouse. This is rarely useful and can be annoying if you're reading something on screen without typing. Most people set it between 5 and 15 minutes.

Does a screensaver use more power than just leaving the screen on?

A screensaver uses slightly less power than a static image because it's often simpler to display. However, the real power savings come from turning the display off entirely. If you want to save energy, set your display to turn off after inactivity rather than using a screensaver.

Can I have a different screensaver on each monitor?

Windows and Mac both explore the same screensaver to all connected monitors. You cannot set different screensavers for different displays using the built-in settings.

Why does my screensaver look different than it did before?

Operating system updates sometimes change the available screensavers or how they look. If your favorite screensaver disappeared, it may have been removed in an update. You can always switch to a different built-in option or use your own photos instead.