Where to find screen saver settings on your computer

Screen saver settings live in different places depending on whether you use Windows or Mac. On Windows, right-click on your desktop background, select Personalize, then click Lock screen in the left menu and scroll down to Screen saver settings. On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click Lock Screen, then select Screen Saver in the left sidebar.

Once you open the screen saver settings window, you will see a dropdown menu showing your current screen saver and a preview pane. The preview shows you what the screen saver will look like before you commit to it. You can also set how many minutes of inactivity trigger the screen saver to turn on — usually between 1 and 30 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows screen saver settings are found by right-clicking your desktop, selecting Personalize, then navigating to Lock screen and Screen saver settings.
  • Mac screen saver settings are in System Settings under Lock Screen, then Screen Saver in the sidebar.
  • You can preview any screen saver before activating it, and set how long your computer sits idle before the screen saver turns on.
  • Built-in options like Starfield, Bubbles, or Drift come with your operating system and require no read or installation.

Choosing from built-in screen savers

Both Windows and Mac include several screen savers already installed on your computer. Windows offers options like Starfield (animated stars moving through space), Bubbles (floating soap bubbles), Mystify (geometric shapes), and Ribbons (flowing colored bands). Mac includes Drift (floating photos), Kaleidoscope (symmetrical patterns), Message (displays text you choose), and Aerial (Apple's cinematic city footage).

Click on any option in the dropdown menu to see it play in the preview window. This takes about 10 seconds and shows you the actual animation, speed, and colors. If you like what you see, click OK or explore to save your choice. If not, select a different one and preview again.

Customizing screen saver appearance and timing

Many built-in screen savers let you adjust their appearance. For example, the Message screen saver on Mac lets you type custom text that will display on your screen. The Starfield screen saver on Windows may let you change the speed or density of the stars, depending on your Windows version. Look for an Options or Settings button next to the preview pane — not all screen savers have customization available.

You can also control when the screen saver activates by changing the idle time. If you set it to 5 minutes, your screen saver will turn on after 5 minutes of no keyboard or mouse movement. If you set it to 20 minutes, it will wait longer. There is no security advantage to one timing over another — choose what feels natural for your work habits.

Downloading and installing additional screen savers

If you want screen savers beyond what came with your computer, you can read them from third-party websites. Search for "Windows screen savers" or "Mac screen savers" and look for downloads from established sources. Downloaded screen savers usually come as a single file you double-click to install — the installer will place the screen saver in the correct system folder automatically.

After installation, close and reopen your screen saver settings window. The new screen saver should appear in the dropdown menu alongside the built-in ones. Be cautious about downloading from unfamiliar websites, as screen savers are executable files that run on your computer. Stick to well-known sources or recommendations from people you trust.

Turning off the screen saver entirely

You do not have to use a screen saver at all. In the screen saver settings window, select None from the dropdown menu (Windows) or click the dropdown and choose no screen saver (Mac). Your display will then go dark or stay on according to your power settings, which are separate from screen saver settings.

Modern monitors do not need screen savers to prevent damage the way older CRT monitors did. Screen savers are now purely a matter of preference — some people like them for aesthetics or privacy, while others prefer their monitor to straightforward turn off after a set time. Both approaches are fine.

Screen saver versus display sleep settings

Screen saver and display sleep are two different things, and both can be active at the same time. A screen saver turns on after your chosen idle time and displays an animation. Display sleep (or monitor sleep) turns off your display entirely to save power. You can set your screen saver to turn on after 10 minutes, and your display to sleep after 15 minutes — the screen saver will run for 5 minutes, then your display will go dark.

On Windows, display sleep settings are in Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep. On Mac, they are in System Settings > Lock Screen > Turn display off after. If you want your display to sleep quickly to save energy, you can set a short sleep time and use a screen saver only for aesthetics.

Troubleshooting screen saver problems

If your screen saver is not turning on even though you have set it, check whether your power settings are overriding it. Some computers are set to never sleep or turn off the display, which can prevent the screen saver from activating. Also check whether you have a presentation mode or focus mode enabled — Windows and Mac both have settings that disable screen savers during work sessions.

If a downloaded screen saver will not install, make sure you have permission to install software on your computer. On Mac, you may need to allow the installer in System Settings > Privacy & Security > General. On Windows, right-click the installer and select Run as administrator. If the screen saver still will not work, try downloading it again from the source, as the file may have been corrupted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as my screen saver?

Yes. On Mac, the Drift screen saver displays photos from your Photos library in a slow pan. On Windows, you can use the Photos screen saver to cycle through images from a folder you choose. Both let you select which photos appear and how fast they change.

Does a screen saver save electricity?

No. A screen saver displays an animation, which uses about as much power as your normal screen. To actually save electricity, set your display to sleep or turn off after a few minutes of inactivity. A screen saver is purely visual — it does not reduce power use.

Will my screen saver prevent screen burn-in?

Not on modern displays. Screen burn-in was a problem with older CRT and plasma monitors, but LCD and LED monitors (which almost all computers use now) do not suffer from it. A screen saver is no longer necessary for hardware protection.

What if I want my screen saver to show a password prompt when it stops?

On Windows, open screen saver settings and check the box labeled On resume, display logon screen. On Mac, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and toggle Require password when ready. This locks your computer when the screen saver ends, so anyone who walks by must enter your password to use it.

Can I set different screen savers for different times of day?

Neither Windows nor Mac has a built-in feature to schedule different screen savers at different times. You would need to manually change the setting each time, or use third-party automation software. For most people, one screen saver that runs whenever the computer is idle is sufficient.