How to modify a computer screen saver

Updated: 03/13/2021 by Computer Hope

Windows logo

Screen savers can be useful for locking your computer while yous're abroad, or displaying your favorite photos as a slideshow. The following sections show you how to alter your screen saver and adjust its properties. To proceed, choose your operating system from the list beneath and follow the instructions.

Windows Vista, vii, viii, and ten

  1. Press the Windows key, blazon Change screen saver, and then press Enter.
  2. In the Screen Saver Settings window, click the down pointer.

Menu where users may select a screen saver.

  1. Select a screen saver from the drib-downward menu.
  2. One time you lot've chosen a screen saver, you have a few options. To alter how long the computer waits before starting the screen saver, click the upwards or down arrows for the Wait selection to your preferred timing. If you're using the Photos screen saver option, you lot can change the timing between pictures in Settings, then cull between boring, medium, and fast on the Slide prove speed. When you're finished, click Apply (A) and so OK (B).

Applying a screen saver in Windows.

Tip

The Preview push allows you to try out a screen saver before it is set.

Tip

If you check the box next to On resume, display logon screen, Windows opens the lock screen when a screen saver is disabled. Checking this option is an first-class way to protect your reckoner when you are away from your desk.

Tip

If you footstep abroad from your reckoner and want to let others know when you'll exist dorsum, you can use the "3D Text" screen saver as a way to leave a message. In one case selected, click the Settings push button and look for the Text section in the new window. Locate the "Custom Text" box to modify the text displayed in your screen saver. For case, you could set the text from the default to "I'm out to luncheon, will exist back at 1:00."

Windows XP

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel window, click Appearance and Personalization.
  3. In the Brandish window, click the Screen Saver tab.
  4. Under the Screen saver section, click the downwards arrow on the right side of the beginning box.
  5. Select a screen saver (or, if you lot don't want to take a screen saver, select None). Adapt whatsoever other settings to your liking. Click Utilize, then OK.

Tip

The Preview push allows you to try out a screen saver before it is set.

Tip

If you cheque the box next to On resume, display logon screen, Windows opens the lock screen when a screen saver is disabled. Checking this option is an first-class fashion to protect your computer when you are away from your desk.

Tip

If you footstep away from your computer and desire to permit others know when yous'll be back, you tin employ the "3D Text" screen saver as a mode to go out a bulletin. Once selected, click the Settings button and look for the Text section in the new window. Locate the "Custom Text" box to change the text displayed in your screen saver. For example, yous could set the text from the default to "I'grand out to lunch, will be back at 1:00."

macOS

  1. In the bill of fare bar, click the Apple tree icon to open the Apple menu, and choose System Preferences.

System Preferences selector in macOS.

  1. Click the Desktop & Screen Saver icon in the Organization Preferences window.

Desktop & Screen Saver icon in macOS.

  1. On the Desktop & Screen Saver menu, ensure the Screen Saver tab near the tiptop is selected (A).
  2. Optional: In the left sidebar, you can cull a stock slideshow, or customize how personal photos are displayed (B).
  3. In the lesser-left corner, next to Start after, choose how long your Mac should look until the screen saver activates (C).
  4. Finally, if you didn't option a preset slideshow from the left section, yous can cull your images by selecting them from the Source drop-down carte (D).

Screen saver choices in macOS.