How to change a computer screen saver
Screen savers can be useful for many things, such as locking your computer while you're away, or displaying your favorite photos as a slideshow. The following sections show you how to change your screen saver and adjust its properties. To proceed, choose your operating system from the list below and follow the instructions.
Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11
- Press the Windows key, type Change screen saver, then press Enter.
- In the Screen Saver Settings window, click the down arrow for the drop-down menu.
- Select a screen saver from the list.
- Once you've chosen a screen saver, you have a few options. To change how long the computer waits before starting the screen saver, click the up or down arrows for the Wait option to your preferred timing. If you're using the Photos screen saver option, you can change the timing between pictures in Settings, and choose between slow, medium, and fast for the Slide show speed. When you're finished, click Apply (A) and then OK (B).
The Preview button lets you try out a screen saver before it is set.
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 excellent way to protect your computer when you are away from your desk.
If you step away from your computer and want to let others know when you'll be back, you can use the "3D Text" screen saver as a way to leave a message. 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, you could set the text from the default to "I'm out to lunch, will be back at 1:00."
Windows XP
- Open the Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel window, click Appearance and Personalization.
- In the Display window, click the Screen Saver tab.
- Under the Screen saver section, click the down arrow on the right side of the first box.
- Select a screen saver (or, if you don't want to have a screen saver, select None). Adjust any other settings to your liking. Click Apply, then OK.
The Preview button lets you try out a screen saver before it is set.
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 excellent way to protect your computer when you are away from your desk.
If you step away from your computer and want to let others know when you'll be back, you can use the "3D Text" screen saver as a way to leave a message. 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, you could set the text from the default to "I'm out to lunch, will be back at 1:00."
macOS Ventura and Sonoma
Here is how to change the screen saver in macOS versions 13 and 14.
- At the top of the screen, on the far-left side of the menu bar, click the Apple icon.
- Select System Settings from the Apple menu.
- In the sidebar, select Screen Saver. Then, in the right section, click one of the options to set it as your screen saver.
macOS High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterey
Here is how to change the screen saver in macOS versions 10 through 12.
- In the menu bar, click the Apple icon to open the Apple menu, and choose System Preferences.
- Click the Desktop & Screen Saver icon in the System Preferences window.
- On the Desktop & Screen Saver menu, ensure the Screen Saver tab near the top is selected (A).
- Optional: In the left sidebar, you can choose a stock slideshow, or customize how personal photos are displayed (B).
- In the bottom-left corner, next to Start after, choose how long your Mac should wait until the screen saver activates (C).
- Finally, if you didn't pick a preset slideshow from the left section, you can choose your images by selecting them from the Source drop-down menu (D).
