How to Change Your Screensaver on Windows and Mac
Understanding Screensaver Basics and Why You Might Want to Change Yours
A screensaver is a program that displays moving images or patterns on your computer monitor when you haven't used your keyboard or mouse for a set period of time. Originally, screensavers served a practical purpose in the 1980s and 1990s — they prevented "burn-in," a condition where stationary images could permanently damage older monitor types. Modern LCD and LED monitors don't experience burn-in the way old cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors did, but screensavers remain popular for personalization and security reasons.
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Today, people change their screensavers for several reasons. Some use them to display family photos or artwork that brings them joy throughout the workday. Others prefer screensavers that create a professional appearance in shared office spaces. Many people appreciate screensavers as a security feature — when a screensaver is active and password-protected, it prevents unauthorized people from accessing your computer if you step away from your desk. Some users simply enjoy the visual variety and find animated screensavers more interesting than a blank desktop.
The default screensavers on both Windows and Mac operating systems include options like geometric patterns, floating logos, and nature scenes. However, both systems allow you to replace these defaults with your own choices. Understanding what a screensaver does and why you might want to customize it helps you make informed decisions about which option works best for your needs and preferences.
Different screensavers use varying amounts of computer processing power. Some built-in options use minimal resources, while others with detailed animations or constantly updating content may use more. If you use your computer for resource-intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, selecting a screensaver that doesn't drain system performance becomes important. Your choice of screensaver can influence not just the appearance of your computer, but also its performance during periods of inactivity.
Practical Takeaway: Before changing your screensaver, consider your primary reason for doing so — whether it's personalization, security, professional appearance, or system performance — as this will help guide which type of screensaver you select.
How to Change Your Screensaver on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Windows makes changing your screensaver straightforward through the Settings application. To begin, right-click on an empty area of your desktop — anywhere without icons or windows open. A menu will appear with several options. Look for "Personalize" in this menu and click on it. This opens the Personalization settings where you can modify many aspects of how your Windows desktop looks and functions.
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Once the Personalization window opens, look for "Lock screen" in the left sidebar menu. Click on "Lock screen," and then scroll down until you see "Screensaver" listed with an option button or link next to it. Click on this "Screensaver" option to open the Screensaver Settings dialog box. This dialog displays your current screensaver selection and shows you a preview window of how it will appear.
In the Screensaver Settings dialog, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Screensaver:" with your current selection highlighted. Click on this dropdown arrow to see a list of available screensavers. Windows typically includes options such as Blank (which simply turns the screen dark), 3D Text, Bubbles, Mystify, Ribbons, and several others. Click on any option to select it. When you do, a preview of that screensaver will appear in the small preview window, showing you how it will look when active.
Below the screensaver list, you'll find settings for "Wait" time, which determines how many minutes of inactivity must pass before the screensaver activates. The default is often 10 minutes, but you can adjust this to any number from 1 minute up to several hours. If you want the screensaver to require your password to dismiss it — adding a security layer — check the box next to "On resume, display login screen." This means that after your screensaver activates, anyone trying to use your computer will need to enter your password to access it, protecting your work and files when you step away.
After making your selections, click the "Apply" button to save your changes, and then click "OK" to close the dialog. Your new screensaver is now active and will display according to the wait time you specified. To test it without waiting, you can move your mouse and keyboard away from your computer for the duration you set, or you can open the same Screensaver Settings dialog and click the "Preview" button to see your selection in full-screen mode immediately.
Practical Takeaway: Windows screensaver settings are found through Personalization > Lock screen > Screensaver, and you should consider setting a wait time that matches your typical work habits — shorter times like 5 minutes if you frequently step away, or longer times like 20-30 minutes if you work continuously at your desk.
Accessing and Modifying Screensavers on Mac Computers
Mac computers store screensaver settings in the System Preferences or System Settings application, depending on your macOS version. For newer Mac computers running macOS Ventura or later, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings." For older versions of macOS (Monterey and earlier), click the Apple menu and select "System Preferences" instead. Both options lead to similar locations, though the layout may differ slightly.
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Once you're in System Settings or System Preferences, look for "Lock Screen" in the sidebar on the left — this option appears in macOS Ventura and newer. Click on it. You'll see a preview window showing your current screensaver and various options below it. In older versions of macOS (Monterey and earlier), you'll need to look for "Desktop & Screen Saver" or just "Screen Saver" in the sidebar instead. Click on the "Screen Saver" tab if you see multiple tabs at the top of the window.
On the right side of the window, you'll find a list of available screensavers organized by category. Mac includes categories such as Aerial (which shows scenic video footage), Nature (with moving natural scenes), Geometric (with mathematical patterns), and others. You can browse through these categories by clicking on them. When you click on any screensaver name, a preview will appear in the main window, allowing you to see how it looks before activating it.
Below the screensaver preview, look for "Start after:" with a time field. This setting controls how many minutes of inactivity must pass before your screensaver begins. The default is often 5 or 10 minutes, but you can change this to any value you prefer by clicking in the field and entering a different number. Some screensavers offer additional settings you can customize — for example, the Aerial screensaver lets you choose between different video collections, and some screensavers allow you to adjust speed, color schemes, or other visual aspects. These options appear below the screensaver list when they're available.
For added security, you may want to set your Mac to require a password when waking from your screensaver. To do this, click on "Lock Screen" (in macOS Ventura and later) and look for an option about "Require password after sleep." Toggle this on according to your preferences. When this is enabled, anyone attempting to use your computer after the screensaver has been active will need to enter your password, adding a layer of security to your workspace.
Practical Takeaway: Mac screensaver settings are in System Settings > Lock Screen (or System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver in older versions), and you should pair your screensaver choice with the password requirement feature if you want maximum security when stepping away from your computer.
Using Custom Photos or Downloaded Screensavers
Beyond the built-in screensaver options, both Windows and Mac allow you to use your own photos or downloaded screensavers to create a more personalized experience. On Windows, you can set a folder of personal photos as your screensaver. In the Screensaver Settings dialog (accessed through Personalization > Lock screen > Screensaver as described earlier), select "Photos" from the dropdown list. Once you do, a "Settings" button becomes available. Click this button to choose which folder contains the photos you want to use as your screensaver. You can select any folder on your computer — such as your Pictures folder, a folder of vacation photos, or any custom folder you create.
This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.