The quickest way to change your screensaver

On Windows, right-click your desktop, select Personalize, then click Lock screen in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Screensaver settings. A dropdown menu shows your available screensavers — pick one, set how many minutes until it starts, then click Apply and OK.

On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click Lock Screen in the sidebar, then click the Screensaver dropdown. Choose your screensaver, set the delay time, and the change saves automatically.

Both systems let you preview your choice before confirming. On Windows, click the Preview button in the screensaver settings window. On Mac, click the Preview button next to the screensaver name. Press any key or move your mouse to exit the preview.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows screensaver settings live in Personalize > Lock screen > Screensaver settings, accessible by right-clicking your desktop.
  • Mac screensaver settings are in System Settings > Lock Screen, and changes save automatically without clicking a separate button.
  • You can preview any screensaver before making it active to see how it looks on your monitor.
  • The delay time controls how many minutes of inactivity pass before the screensaver turns on.

What screensavers come built in

Windows includes screensavers like Blank (a black screen), Bubbles, Mystify, Ribbons, and a few others depending on your Windows version. You can also set it to show a slideshow of photos from a folder you choose — this is useful if you want your desktop to display family pictures when you step away.

Mac includes Aerial (flying over landscapes), Floating Message, Kaleidoscope, and others. Newer Macs also offer screensavers based on Apple TV content. Like Windows, you can create a custom slideshow from your photo library.

Neither system requires you to download anything to use these built-in options. They are already installed and ready to select.

Installing screensavers from other sources

You can download screensavers from third-party websites, but this carries a real security risk. Screensavers are executable files — they run code on your computer — so a malicious screensaver can install malware or steal data just like any other program.

If you want to use a downloaded screensaver, download it only from a source you trust, and check reviews or community discussion first. On Windows, after downloading, right-click the .scr file and select Install. On Mac, downloaded screensavers usually go into your Library folder, and the system will prompt you to authorize them.

A safer alternative: if you like a particular style (like starfields or geometric patterns), search for that style plus "screensaver" on your system first. Many built-in options cover common preferences, and using them avoids the download risk entirely.

Screensaver settings that affect power use

The delay time you set determines when the screensaver starts, but it does not control when your monitor turns off. These are two separate settings. A screensaver running on your screen still uses power — it just prevents image burn-in on older monitor types.

To actually save power, you want your monitor to turn off, not just show a screensaver. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep, and set Turn off after to a time shorter than your screensaver delay. On Mac, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and set Turn display off after to your preferred time.

If you set your screensaver to start after 10 minutes but your monitor stays on for 30 minutes, you are using more power than necessary. The monitor turning off is what actually reduces energy use.

Screensavers with passwords

Both Windows and Mac let you require a password to wake your computer from the screensaver. On Windows, in the screensaver settings window, check the box labeled On resume, display logon screen. On Mac, go to System Settings > Lock Screen and toggle Require password immediately on.

This adds a security layer if you step away from your desk in a shared space — someone cannot simply move your mouse and access your open files. The password requirement applies when the screensaver is active, so if your screensaver starts after 5 minutes of inactivity, a password will be needed after those 5 minutes pass.

Troubleshooting screensavers that do not start

If you set a screensaver but it never appears, check your power settings first. Your monitor might be turning off before the screensaver has a chance to start. On Windows, open Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep and verify the screen timeout is longer than your screensaver delay. On Mac, check System Settings > Lock Screen > Turn display off after for the same reason.

If your monitor settings are correct and the screensaver still does not start, your mouse or keyboard might be moving slightly without you noticing. Screensavers do not start if the system detects any activity. Try moving your mouse to a corner and waiting without touching anything for the full delay time.

On Windows, you can also test the screensaver immediately by clicking Preview in the screensaver settings window. If the preview works but the screensaver does not start on its own, the issue is likely with your activity detection or power settings, not the screensaver itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video file as my screensaver?

Windows and Mac do not natively support video files as screensavers through their standard settings. Your best option is to use the photo slideshow feature with images extracted from the video, or download a third-party screensaver that plays video — though this carries the security risks mentioned earlier. Built-in slideshows are the safer choice.

Will a screensaver damage my monitor?

Modern monitors are not at risk from screensavers. Image burn-in was a concern with older CRT and plasma displays, which is why screensavers were invented. Today's LCD and LED monitors do not suffer permanent damage from static images. You can use any screensaver without worry about harming your display.

Does a screensaver use a lot of battery on a laptop?

Screensavers use more battery than a dark screen would. If you are on battery power, turning off the screensaver and letting your monitor turn off instead will extend your battery life. Set your monitor timeout shorter than your screensaver delay, or disable the screensaver entirely when unplugged.

What happens if I delete a screensaver file?

If you delete a screensaver file that your system is currently set to use, Windows will show an error when the screensaver is supposed to start, and Mac will fall back to a blank screen. You can always change to a different screensaver in your settings. Deleting built-in screensavers is not recommended, but you can safely remove downloaded ones you no longer want.