What a screensaver does and why you might want to change it

A screensaver is a program that displays moving images or patterns on your screen when you haven't used your keyboard or mouse for a set amount of time — usually a few minutes. The original purpose was to prevent damage to older monitors, but modern screens don't need this protection. Today, screensavers are mostly a personal preference: some people like them for privacy (the screen goes blank so passersby can't see your work), others use them to display photos or animations, and some turn them off entirely because they find them distracting.

Changing your screensaver takes less than five minutes and requires no special software or technical knowledge. The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, but both follow the same basic path: open your display settings, find the screensaver section, and choose what you want to see.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Personalization, then select Screen saver to pick a new one and set how long before it starts.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, choose Screen Saver, select your preferred option, and set the delay time in minutes.
  • You can preview any screensaver before saving your choice so you know exactly what will appear.
  • Setting the delay time to a shorter period (like 5 minutes) activates the screensaver faster, while a longer period (like 30 minutes) means it takes longer to appear.
  • Both operating systems come with built-in screensaver options, and you can also read additional ones from third-party sources if you want more variety.

Changing your screensaver on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Start by opening the Settings app. The fastest way is to press the Windows key and the letter I at the same time, or you can click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left), then click the gear icon labeled Settings.

Once Settings opens, look for the word Personalization on the left side of the window and click it. This section controls how your desktop looks. You'll see several options listed below Personalization — find and click Lock screen. Below that, you should see Screen saver. Click on Screen saver to open the screensaver settings.

A window will appear with a dropdown menu at the top that says "Screen saver" followed by a list of options. Click this dropdown to see all available screensavers. Windows includes options like Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, Ribbons, and others. Click on any name to select it. Before you confirm your choice, click the Preview button to see what it looks like in full screen — this helps you decide if you actually want to use it.

Below the dropdown, you'll see a field labeled Wait with a number (usually 10) and the word "minutes" next to it. This number controls how long your computer sits idle before the screensaver starts. If you want it to appear faster, lower this number to 5 or 3. If you prefer to wait longer before it activates, increase it to 15 or 20. Once you've chosen your screensaver and set the wait time, click explore, then OK to save your changes.

Changing your screensaver on Mac

On a Mac, open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu (the apple icon in the top left corner) and selecting System Settings. If you're using an older version of macOS, you may see System Preferences instead — the steps are the same.

In System Settings, look for Screen Saver in the left sidebar. If you don't see it when ready, scroll down until you find it, then click it. The main area will show you a list of available screensavers with thumbnail previews on the left. Click any screensaver name to select it. Mac includes options like Aerial (videos of landscapes), Floating Message, Kaleidoscope, and others.

To see what your choice looks like before saving it, click the Preview button. This shows the screensaver in full screen so you can watch it for a few seconds. Press any key or move your mouse to exit the preview and return to settings.

Below the screensaver list, you'll see a field labeled Start after with a number (usually 20) and the word "minutes." This works the same way as Windows: it sets how long your Mac sits unused before the screensaver appears. Change this number to whatever you prefer — 5 minutes for a faster start, or 30 minutes if you want it to wait longer. Once you've made your choices, close the System Settings window. Your changes save automatically on Mac.

Choosing between built-in screensavers and downloaded ones

Every Windows and Mac computer comes with several built-in screensavers already installed. These are safe, reliable, and require no extra setup. Windows offers geometric patterns and animations, while Mac emphasizes scenic videos and abstract designs. For most people, the built-in options are enough.

If you want more variety, you can read additional screensavers from third-party websites. Be cautious when downloading from the internet: only use well-known sources and read the reviews before installing anything. Some downloaded screensavers can slow down your computer or contain unwanted software. Stick with reputable sites and avoid anything that seems suspicious or asks for unusual permissions.

Once you read a screensaver file, installation instructions vary depending on the source. Most come with a setup wizard that walks you through the process. After installation, the new screensaver should appear in your screensaver list alongside the built-in ones, and you can select it the same way you would any other option.

Why your screensaver might not be working

If you've set a screensaver but it never appears, the most common cause is that your computer isn't actually idle for the time you specified. Screensavers only set up when you haven't touched your keyboard or mouse. If you're typing, moving the mouse, or if a program is actively downloading or processing something, the screensaver won't start. Move your mouse or press a key, then leave your computer completely untouched for the full wait time to test it.

Another reason screensavers don't appear is if your power settings are set to turn off the display before the screensaver has a chance to start. For example, if your display is set to turn off after 5 minutes but your screensaver is set to wait 10 minutes, you'll never see the screensaver — the screen will just go black. To fix this, open your power settings and make sure the display timeout is set to a longer time than your screensaver wait time.

On Windows, check this by opening Settings, clicking System, then Power & battery, and looking for Screen and sleep. On Mac, go to System Settings, click Lock Screen, and check the Turn display off after setting. Make sure this number is higher than your screensaver wait time.

Turning off your screensaver completely

If you don't want a screensaver at all, you can disable it entirely. On Windows, open the screensaver settings as described above, click the dropdown menu, and select None. Click explore and OK. On Mac, open Screen Saver settings, and click Never at the bottom of the screensaver list.

Turning off your screensaver won't harm your computer. Modern monitors don't need screensavers to prevent damage, so this is purely a personal choice. Some people prefer a blank screen for privacy, others like the visual interest of a screensaver, and some don't care either way. There's no right answer — use whatever works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as my screensaver?

Yes. On Windows, select the "Photos" screensaver from the dropdown menu, then click Settings to choose which folder your photos come from. On Mac, select "Floating Message" or "Kaleidoscope" and customize the options, though Mac doesn't have a direct photo screensaver like Windows does. Some third-party screensavers let you display your own images.

Does a screensaver save battery on a laptop?

No — screensavers actually use more power than a blank screen because they keep your display active and run animations. If you want to save battery, turn off your screensaver and instead set your display to turn off after a few minutes of inactivity. This is more effective than any screensaver.

What's the difference between a screensaver and a wallpaper?

Wallpaper is the static image you see on your desktop when no windows are open. A screensaver is a moving display that appears only after your computer sits idle for a set time. You can have both — your wallpaper shows normally, and the screensaver covers it when you step away.

Will changing my screensaver affect my computer's performance?

Built-in screensavers have almost no impact on performance. Some downloaded screensavers with complex animations or high-resolution videos may use slightly more CPU or GPU resources, but the effect is usually minimal. If your computer feels slower after installing a screensaver, try switching back to a built-in option.

Can I set different screensavers for different times of day?

Windows and Mac don't offer this feature in their standard settings. If you want different screensavers at different times, you would need to read third-party software designed for this purpose, though most people find this unnecessary.