Turn On and Configure Screen Savers in Windows 11

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To turn on and configure screen savers in Windows 11, open the Settings app, go to Personalization > Lock screen, click “Screen saver,” and choose one from the drop-down. You can set the wait time, preview it, and decide whether it resumes to the login screen. This guide covers every option, common problems, and how to make the most of a feature that Windows 11 hides a few clicks deep.

Why Screen Savers Still Exist in Windows 11

Screen savers were originally designed to prevent phosphor burn-in on CRT monitors. Modern LCD and OLED displays don’t have that problem, so Windows 11 doesn’t push the feature. It remains available mainly for nostalgia, aesthetics, or practical uses like showing a clock or a slideshow when you step away. Many users also use a screen saver to automatically lock the PC after a period of inactivity, which is a simple security measure.

Unlike older versions of Windows, Windows 11 doesn’t put the screen saver settings on the desktop right-click menu. Microsoft moved it into the Settings app, but the underlying control panel dialog is still the same. You can also launch it directly by typing “screen saver” into the Start menu search and clicking “Change screen saver.”

How to Open the Screen Saver Settings

There are two reliable ways to reach the screen saver configuration window in Windows 11:

Via Settings: Press Win + I, go to Personalization > Lock screen, and click the Screen saver link (it’s a small text link, not a button).
Via Run dialog: Press Win + R, type control desk.cpl,,@screensaver and press Enter. This opens the exact same dialog directly.

Both methods open the classic “Screen Saver Settings” window. It looks nearly identical to the one from Windows 7, with a preview monitor, a drop-down list of screen savers, a wait time box, and a checkbox for “On resume, display logon screen.”

Choosing a Screen Saver and Setting the Wait Time

Once the dialog is open, follow these steps:

Click the drop-down under Screen saver and select one of the built-in options: 3D Text, Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, Photos, or Ribbons.
Click Preview to see it full-screen. Move the mouse or press any key to exit the preview.
Set the Wait time in minutes. This is how long the PC must be idle before the screen saver starts.
If you want the screen saver to act as a lock, check On resume, display logon screen. This requires you to sign in again after moving the mouse or pressing a key.
Click OK to apply, or Apply first to keep the dialog open.

The wait time counts from the last user input (mouse movement, key press, touch, or pen). It doesn’t count from when a video or presentation is playing if that media is considered user activity by Windows.

Customizing Individual Screen Savers

Most built-in screen savers have a Settings button next to the drop-down. The options vary:

3D Text: Choose custom text (e.g., a clock showing the time, or any phrase), font, size, rotation speed, and texture. You can also set the text to display the current time.
Photos: Click Settings to pick a folder of images, set the slide show speed, and choose a shuffle option. The default folder is your Pictures library.
Bubbles, Mystify, Ribbons: These have minimal settingsâ€”mostly just the number of elements and speed. The defaults are fine for most users.
Blank: No settings. It simply turns the screen black, which is the most energy-efficient screen saver.

If you download third-party screen savers (files ending in .scr), they usually appear in the same drop-down after you install them. Be cautious: only download from reputable sources, as malicious .scr files can contain malware.

Common Problems and Fixes

Screen savers in Windows 11 can occasionally misbehave. Here are the most frequent issues and how to resolve them:

Screen saver doesn’t start: Check the wait timeâ€”it must be shorter than the display sleep timeout. If your monitor is set to turn off after 5 minutes and the screen saver wait is 10 minutes, the monitor will go dark before the screen saver ever appears. Go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep and set “Turn off my screen” to a longer duration or “Never.”
Screen saver starts but then the screen goes black: This is the same power setting issue. The screen saver is running, but then the display sleeps. Adjust the power settings as above.
Screen saver doesn’t resume to login: The “On resume, display logon screen” checkbox must be checked. If it is, but you still don’t see a login, your account may be set to auto-login. To force a login, you can use the netplwiz command to uncheck “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” (though this option may be hidden on some builds).
Photos screen saver shows no images: Make sure the selected folder actually contains images in a supported format (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF). Also, check that the folder isn’t empty or inaccessible.
Screen saver settings are grayed out: This can happen if a Group Policy or an administrator has disabled screen savers. In Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, check gpedit.msc under User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization.

Screen Saver vs. Lock Screen vs. Sleep

Many users confuse these three. Here’s the difference:

Screen saver: A moving image or blank screen that appears after a set idle time. It’s purely visual and doesn’t save power.
Lock screen: The screen that shows the clock, date, and notifications when you lock the PC (Win + L) or when the screen saver resumes with the login option. It’s not a screen saver.
Sleep: A low-power state where the display turns off and the PC pauses most activity. It saves energy and is the recommended way to leave your PC idle.

If your goal is to save power, use sleep instead of a screen saver. If your goal is to show a slideshow or clock when idle, use a screen saver. If your goal is security, use the login-on-resume option with any screen saver.

Security and Privacy Considerations

Using a screen saver with the “On resume, display logon screen” option is a basic security measure, but it’s not as strong as locking the PC immediately with Win + L or setting a dynamic lock with your phone. The screen saver only engages after the wait time, so anyone can walk up during that idle period and access your files.

For better security, consider setting a short wait time (e.g., 1 minute) and enabling the logon screen. Alternatively, use Dynamic Lock in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, which automatically locks the PC when your paired phone moves out of Bluetooth range. Also, avoid using screen savers that display personal information (like a custom 3D text with your name) in public places.

Alternatives to Built-In Screen Savers

If the built-in options feel dated, you have a few alternatives:

Third-party screen savers: Many free and paid ones exist, from aquarium simulators to clock displays. Always scan downloads with antivirus software.
Live wallpapers: These are animated backgrounds that run on the desktop, not as a screen saver. They consume more resources and are available through the Microsoft Store or third-party apps.
Slideshow on lock screen: Windows 11 can cycle through your photos on the lock screen (Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Personalize your lock screen). This is different from a screen saver but serves a similar visual purpose.
Just use sleep: For most users, letting the display turn off after a few minutes is the simplest and most energy-efficient option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the old Windows 7 screen saver settings in Windows 11?

The screen saver dialog is still the classic Windows 7-era window. You can open it via Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Screen saver, or by running control desk.cpl,,@screensaver from the Run dialog (Win + R).

Why is my screen saver not showing up?

Most likely your display sleep timeout is shorter than the screen saver wait time. Go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep and set “Turn off my screen” to a value longer than the screen saver wait, or set it to Never.

Can I use a video as a screen saver in Windows 11?

Not natively. The built-in Photos screen saver only supports image files. To use a video, you need third-party software that can play video as a screen saver, or you can set a video as your lock screen background (which is not a screen saver).

Does a screen saver save power?

No. A screen saver keeps the display fully on, so it uses the same power as normal use. The Blank screen saver is the only one that saves some power by turning off the backlight, but it still isn’t as efficient as letting the display sleep.

How do I make the screen saver lock my PC automatically?

In the Screen Saver Settings dialog, check the box “On resume, display logon screen.” Then set the wait time to your desired idle period. When the screen saver activates and you move the mouse, you’ll be taken to the lock screen where you must enter your PIN or password.

Can I download more screen savers for Windows 11?

Yes, many websites offer .scr files that install automatically. However, be very careful about the sourceâ€”malicious screen savers are a common way to distribute malware. Stick to well-known download sites and run a virus scan after downloading.

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