Where to find screen saver settings on your computer

On Windows, screen saver settings live in the Display settings panel. Right-click on your desktop background, select Personalize, then click Lock screen in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click Screen saver settings — this opens a small window where you can choose a new screen saver from the dropdown menu and set how many minutes of inactivity trigger it.

On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click Lock Screen in the sidebar, then click the dropdown next to Start after. This shows you the available screen savers and lets you set the delay before it activates.

Both operating systems come with built-in screen savers already installed — you do not need to download anything to change to a different one. The dropdown menu shows all available options immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows screen saver settings are in Display settings under Personalize, then Lock screen, then Screen saver settings.
  • Mac screen saver settings are in System Settings under Lock Screen, in the Start after dropdown.
  • You can choose how many minutes of inactivity pass before the screen saver turns on, usually between 1 and 30 minutes.
  • Built-in screen savers come with your operating system and do not require downloads or installation.
  • Some screen savers use more power than others — blank or black screen savers use the least.

Choosing between built-in screen savers

Windows includes options like Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, Ribbons, and a few others depending on your version. Mac offers options like Aerial (moving video of landscapes), Floating Message, and Kaleidoscope. The Blank option on either system is the simplest — it just turns the screen black after the delay you set.

If you use your computer for work and step away often, a blank screen saver is usually the best choice because it uses almost no power and does not distract if someone walks past your desk. Animated screen savers like Bubbles or Aerial are more visually interesting but draw slightly more power from your system.

Setting the delay before your screen saver starts

The delay is the number of minutes your computer sits unused before the screen saver turns on. On Windows, this setting is in the same Screen saver settings window, labeled Wait with a number field. On Mac, it is the dropdown next to Start after in Lock Screen settings.

Common delays are 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes. If you step away from your desk frequently, a shorter delay (5 or 10 minutes) activates the screen saver sooner. If you work at your computer most of the time and rarely leave it unattended, a longer delay (15 or 30 minutes) means the screen saver does not interrupt your work.

You can also set the delay to Never on Mac, which disables the screen saver entirely. On Windows, you can set it to 0 minutes to activate immediately, though this is rarely useful.

Why screen savers matter less than they used to

Modern monitors do not suffer from image burn-in the way older CRT and plasma screens did, so screen savers are no longer necessary to protect your display. They exist now mainly for privacy — if you step away from your desk, a screen saver hides what was on your screen from anyone walking by.

If privacy is your main concern, a blank screen saver works just as well as an animated one and uses less power. Many workplaces set screen savers to activate after 5 or 10 minutes for this reason.

Pairing screen saver with lock screen settings

Screen saver and lock screen are two separate settings that often work together. The screen saver activates first after your delay period. After the screen saver has been running for a while, the lock screen can activate separately, requiring a password to wake the computer.

On Windows, lock screen settings are also in Display settings under Lock screen. You can set how long the screen saver runs before the lock screen takes over. On Mac, you can set a separate delay for when the computer actually locks in the Require password after field in Lock Screen settings.

For a typical office setup, you might set the screen saver to activate after 5 minutes and the lock screen to activate after 15 minutes. This gives you a visual indicator that you have been away (the screen saver) while also protecting your account if you step away longer.

Troubleshooting screen saver problems

If your screen saver does not activate even though you have set it up, check whether your computer is set to never sleep. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Power & battery and make sure Screen is not set to Never. On Mac, check System Settings > Lock Screen and confirm the delay is not set to Never.

Some programs and settings can override the screen saver — for example, if you are watching a video or presenting, the screen saver will not activate. This is intentional behavior. If the screen saver fails to activate during normal use, restarting your computer usually fixes it.

If you want the screen saver to activate even while you are using your mouse or keyboard, that is not possible with standard settings. Screen savers are designed to activate only during inactivity, which is detected by lack of mouse movement and keyboard input.

Adding custom screen savers on Windows

Windows allows you to add custom screen savers beyond the built-in options, though this requires downloading a file and placing it in a specific folder. Custom screen savers come as .scr files, which are executable programs designed specifically for this purpose.

If you download a custom screen saver, place the .scr file in C:\Windows\System32 on your computer. After you do this, the new screen saver appears in the dropdown menu in Screen saver settings. Only download screen savers from sources you trust, because a malicious .scr file can harm your computer.

Mac does not support third-party screen savers in the same way, though you can use the Floating Message option to display custom text, or use third-party applications designed to replace the screen saver entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as my screen saver?

On Mac, yes — the Floating Message screen saver can display a custom image, and some third-party apps let you use photos directly. On Windows, the built-in screen savers do not support photos, but you can download third-party screen savers that do. Search for "photo screen saver Windows" and download from a trusted source.

Does the screen saver save power?

Modern LCD and LED monitors use less power when displaying a black or blank screen than when displaying a bright image. Animated screen savers use slightly more power than a blank screen. If power saving is your goal, set the screen saver to Blank or disable it and let your monitor enter sleep mode instead.

What is the difference between screen saver and sleep mode?

Screen saver activates first and displays a moving image or blank screen while your computer stays fully awake. Sleep mode activates later and puts your computer into a low-power state where the monitor turns off completely. You can set both to activate at different delays.

Why does my screen saver keep turning off?

If your mouse or keyboard detects any movement or input, the screen saver stops immediately. Check whether a pet, vibration, or accidental touch is triggering your input devices. If the screen saver turns off without any input, a background program may be moving your mouse automatically — check your running programs and disable any that do this.

Can I set a different screen saver for different user accounts?

Yes. Each user account on your computer has its own screen saver settings. Log into a different account and change the screen saver in that account's Display or Lock Screen settings — the change applies only to that account.