What a screen saver does and why you might want to change it

A screen saver is a program that displays moving images or patterns on your monitor when you have not used your keyboard or mouse for a set amount of time. The original purpose was to prevent a static image from burning into older monitor screens — a problem that is rare on modern displays but still useful for reducing power use and adding a layer of privacy if you step away from your desk.

Most computers come with a default screen saver already turned on, usually a blank screen or straightforward pattern. You can change what appears, how long the computer waits before showing it, or turn it off entirely. The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, but the idea is the same: you tell your system which screen saver you want and when to start it.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen savers set up after a period of inactivity you set yourself — typically between 1 and 30 minutes — and do not require a password to dismiss unless you add one separately.
  • On Windows, you adjust screen saver settings through Display Settings or the Control Panel; on Mac, through System Settings under Lock Screen.
  • Built-in options include blank screens, geometric patterns, and photo slideshows, and you can read additional screen savers from third-party sources.
  • Turning off the screen saver entirely is a valid choice if you prefer your monitor to stay active or if you use other power-saving methods.
  • A screen saver is different from sleep mode — sleep mode turns off your monitor and hard drive to save power, while a screen saver only changes what you see on an active screen.

How to change your screen saver on Windows

On Windows 10 or 11, right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select Personalize. In the left sidebar, click Lock screen, then scroll down and click Screen saver settings. A window will open showing your current screen saver and a dropdown menu of available options.

Click the dropdown menu to see what is installed on your computer. Common built-in options include Blank, Ribbons, Mystify, and Photos. Select the one you want to see. Below that, you will see a field labeled Wait with a number in minutes — this is how long your computer will sit idle before the screen saver starts. The default is usually 10 minutes. Change this number to anything from 1 to 60 minutes, or leave it as is.

If you want to require a password to dismiss the screen saver, check the box next to On resume, display logon screen. This adds a small security layer if you step away from your desk in a shared space. Click explore, then OK to save your changes. Your new screen saver will start the next time your computer sits idle for the number of minutes you set.

How to change your screen saver on Mac

On macOS, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click Lock Screen. You will see a section labeled Screen Saver with a dropdown menu showing your current choice.

Click the dropdown to see available screen savers. Mac includes options like Floating Message, Drift, Kaleidoscope, and Aerial (which shows video of landscapes). Select one to preview it. Below the dropdown, you will see a field for Start after with a time in minutes — adjust this to how long you want your Mac to wait before starting the screen saver.

If you want a password required to wake your Mac from the screen saver, check the box next to Require password to unlock. Close the System Settings window. Your screen saver will set up the next time your Mac sits idle for the time you set.

Choosing between built-in screen savers

Most computers come with several screen savers already installed. Blank is the simplest — it just turns your screen black or white. This uses the least power and is useful if you want your monitor to look inactive without actually turning it off. Geometric patterns like Ribbons or Kaleidoscope display moving shapes and colors, which some people find more visually interesting.

The Photos screen saver (Windows) or Aerial screen saver (Mac) shows a slideshow of images. On Windows, it pulls from your Pictures folder by default, but you can point it to a different folder if you want. On Mac, Aerial displays video footage of natural landscapes. If you choose a photo-based screen saver, you can usually adjust how fast the images change.

Try each one for a few days to see what you prefer. There is no performance penalty for any of them — they all use minimal resources compared to your regular screen display.

Installing additional screen savers from other sources

If the built-in options do not appeal to you, you can read screen savers from third-party websites. On Windows, common sources include the Microsoft Store (built into Windows) and websites like screensaversplanet.com. On Mac, you can find additional screen savers through the Mac App Store or independent developers.

Before downloading, check that the screen saver is made for your version of Windows or macOS — an older screen saver may not work on a recent system. Read the reviews and check the read count to get a sense of whether other people have had good experiences with it. Once you read and install a screen saver, it will appear in your screen saver dropdown menu alongside the built-in ones.

Be cautious with screen savers from unfamiliar sources. Stick to well-known websites or the official app stores for your operating system. Some malicious programs disguise themselves as screen savers, so downloading from reputable sources reduces that risk.

Screen saver versus sleep mode and power settings

A screen saver and sleep mode are two different things, and you can use both. A screen saver only changes what appears on your monitor — your computer is still fully awake and using power. Sleep mode actually turns off your monitor and hard drive after a period of inactivity, saving significantly more power.

You might set your screen saver to start after 10 minutes of inactivity and sleep mode to start after 30 minutes. That way, if you step away briefly, the screen saver activates to hide what you were working on. If you are gone longer, sleep mode kicks in and your computer uses less electricity. To adjust sleep settings on Windows, go to Settings > System > Power & battery. On Mac, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and look for the Turn display off after option.

Turning off the screen saver entirely

If you do not want a screen saver at all, you can disable it. On Windows, open Screen saver settings (as described above) and click the dropdown menu. Select None at the top of the list, then click explore and OK. On Mac, open System Settings > Lock Screen, click the Screen Saver dropdown, and select None.

Turning off the screen saver does not affect sleep mode or other power settings — your monitor will still turn off or go to sleep after the time you set in power settings. Disabling the screen saver is a reasonable choice if you prefer your monitor to stay blank or active without moving images, or if you use other methods to protect your privacy when you step away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a screen saver save power?

A screen saver saves very little power compared to sleep mode, because your computer is still fully awake. Modern monitors use about the same amount of electricity whether they display a moving screen saver or a static image. Sleep mode saves much more power by turning off the monitor and hard drive entirely. Use sleep mode if power savings are your main goal.

Can I use a video or GIF as my screen saver?

The built-in screen savers on Windows and Mac do not support video files or GIFs directly. However, the Photos screen saver on Windows can display a slideshow of still images from a folder you choose. On Mac, you can read third-party screen savers that support video. Some developers offer screen savers that play video loops or animated content.

What happens if I set the screen saver wait time to zero?

Setting the wait time to zero or one minute means the screen saver will start almost when ready after you stop using your keyboard and mouse. This is rarely useful in practice, because you might step away for just a few seconds and the screen saver will set up. Most people set it between 5 and 15 minutes.

Do I need a password to dismiss the screen saver?

By default, you can dismiss a screen saver by moving your mouse or pressing any key — no password required. If you check the option to require a password (called "On resume, display logon screen" on Windows or "Require password to unlock" on Mac), you will need to enter your password to get back to your desktop. This is optional and depends on your security needs.

Will changing the screen saver affect my computer's performance?

No. Screen savers use minimal system resources, and switching between different ones will not slow down your computer or affect how it runs. The difference in power use between a blank screen saver and an animated one is negligible on modern hardware.