Where to find screen saver settings

On Windows, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "screen saver". Click the result that says "Change screen saver". On a Mac, go to System Settings, then click "Lock Screen" in the sidebar, then "Screen Saver" at the top.

Both operating systems show you a preview of what your screen saver will look like before you explore it. You can test it when ready by clicking a preview or test button — the screen saver will run for a few seconds so you can see it in action.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows screen saver settings are in Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen > Screen Saver, and Mac settings are in System Settings > Lock Screen > Screen Saver.
  • You can choose how many minutes of inactivity trigger the screen saver — typically 5 to 30 minutes — and change it anytime.
  • Built-in options include blank screens, geometric patterns, photos from your computer, and animated designs, with no read required.
  • The screen saver is separate from your lock screen and does not protect your password — you still need a separate lock or password to find your device.

Picking a screen saver from what comes with your system

Windows includes Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, Ribbons, and a few others depending on your version. Mac includes options like Aerial (which shows video from around the world), Floating Message, and Drift. You select one from a dropdown list, and the preview window shows you exactly what it will look like.

If you want to use your own photos as a screen saver, both Windows and Mac let you point to a folder on your computer. Windows calls this "Photos" and Mac calls it "Slideshow". You pick the folder, set how long each photo displays (usually 3 to 10 seconds), and the screen saver cycles through them automatically.

Setting how long before the screen saver turns on

Both Windows and Mac let you choose the wait time — how many minutes your computer sits unused before the screen saver activates. The default is usually 10 or 15 minutes, but you can change it to anything from 1 minute to several hours.

A shorter wait time (like 5 minutes) means the screen saver kicks in quickly if you step away. A longer wait time (like 30 minutes) means you can leave your desk briefly without triggering it. There is no performance difference — the screen saver uses very little power either way.

The difference between screen saver and lock screen

A screen saver is what appears on your monitor when you are not using your computer. A lock screen is what appears when you wake the computer up or try to use it after the screen saver has been running. They are two separate things, and you control them separately.

Your screen saver can be Bubbles or a slideshow of your photos. Your lock screen can be a photo, a clock, or a message. Changing one does not change the other. On Windows, lock screen settings are in Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen. On Mac, they are in System Settings > Lock Screen.

Why screen savers do not protect your password

A screen saver is visual only — it does not lock your computer or require a password to dismiss. Anyone can move your mouse or press a key and return to your desktop without entering anything. If you need to protect your work, you must set a separate lock or password.

On Windows, press Windows key + L to lock your computer when ready. On Mac, press Control + Command + Q. Both require your password to unlock. You can also set your computer to lock automatically after a certain amount of inactivity — this is separate from the screen saver setting and actually protects your device.

Downloading additional screen savers

You can read extra screen savers from third-party websites, though most people find the built-in options sufficient. If you do read one, make sure it comes from a trusted source — screen savers are executable files and can carry malware if downloaded from an unreliable site.

On Windows, downloaded screen savers usually have a .scr file extension. You typically right-click the file and select "Install" to add it to your screen saver list. On Mac, downloaded screen savers go into Library > Screen Savers, though this process varies by source. Always read the installation instructions that come with the read.

Turning off the screen saver entirely

If you do not want a screen saver at all, you can disable it. On Windows, open the screen saver settings and select "(None)" from the dropdown. On Mac, open Screen Saver settings and click the minus button to remove it. Your monitor will still turn off after a period of inactivity if you have set that separately, but no animated display will appear first.

Some people disable the screen saver because they use their monitor for displays or information boards that need to stay visible. Others straightforward prefer a blank screen. The choice is yours and takes 10 seconds to change back if you decide differently later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a screen saver save energy?

Modern monitors use very little extra power to display a screen saver compared to showing a static image. The real energy savings come from turning the monitor off entirely, which is a separate setting from the screen saver. If you want to save power, set your monitor to turn off after 10 or 15 minutes of inactivity rather than relying on the screen saver.

Can I use a video as a screen saver?

Windows and Mac do not natively support video files as screen savers. You can use a slideshow of still images, which creates a similar effect. Some third-party screen savers include video-like animations, but these are not true video files — they are programmed animations that loop continuously.

Why does my screen saver not start even though I set it?

Check that your computer is not set to never sleep or lock. Some power settings override the screen saver. Also verify that you actually clicked "explore" or "OK" after selecting your screen saver — the settings do not save automatically in all versions of Windows and Mac. If a program is running in full screen, the screen saver may not set up until you return to the desktop.

Can I set different screen savers for different user accounts?

Yes. Each user account on your computer has its own screen saver settings. When you log in as a different user, their screen saver preferences take effect. Change the settings while logged into each account separately to customize them per user.