Where to find the screensaver settings

Windows stores screensaver settings in the Display panel, which you can reach in under a minute. The exact path depends on which version of Windows you have, but the process is nearly identical across Windows 10 and Windows 11.

On Windows 10, right-click an empty area of your desktop, then select Personalize. On Windows 11, right-click the desktop and choose Personalize as well. Either way, the Personalization window opens. On the left sidebar, click Lock screen, then scroll down and click Screensaver. This opens the Screensaver Settings dialog where all your options live.

If the right-click menu does not appear, you can also reach Screensaver Settings by typing "screensaver" into the Windows search box (the magnifying glass icon on your taskbar) and selecting Change screensaver from the results.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Screensaver Settings by right-clicking your desktop, selecting Personalize, then clicking Lock screen and Screensaver.
  • The Screensaver dropdown menu shows all available screensavers — Windows includes Blank, Ribbons, Mystify, and others by default.
  • Set the wait time (how many minutes before the screensaver starts) to any value from 1 to 60 minutes, or leave it off entirely.
  • Check the "On resume, display logon screen" box if you want Windows to ask for your password when you move the mouse or press a key.

Choosing a screensaver from the dropdown list

The Screensaver Settings dialog shows a dropdown menu labeled Screensaver with a list of options. Click the dropdown to see what is installed on your computer. Windows includes several by default: Blank (a black screen), Ribbons (colored ribbons that move across the screen), Mystify (geometric shapes), and Starfield (stars moving through space).

Click any screensaver name to select it. A preview window on the right side of the dialog shows you what it looks like. If you want to see it full-screen before committing, click the Preview button. Move your mouse or press any key to exit the preview and return to the settings dialog.

If you want no screensaver at all, select (None) from the dropdown. This is a common choice on modern monitors, which do not need screensavers to prevent image burn-in the way older screens did.

Setting the wait time before the screensaver starts

Below the screensaver dropdown, you will see a field labeled Wait with a number and the word "minutes" next to it. This controls how long your computer sits idle before the screensaver turns on. The default is usually 10 minutes.

Click in the Wait field and type a new number. You can set it anywhere from 1 minute to 60 minutes. If you want the screensaver to start very quickly (say, after 2 minutes of inactivity), type 2. If you prefer to wait longer before it kicks in, type a higher number. If you want the screensaver to never start automatically, set this to the highest number (60) or straightforward select (None) as your screensaver.

Requiring a password when the screensaver ends

Below the Wait field, you will see a checkbox labeled On resume, display logon screen. When this box is checked, Windows will ask you to enter your password when you move the mouse or press a key to turn off the screensaver. This adds a layer of security if you step away from your desk in a shared space.

If you live alone or work in a private office, you can leave this unchecked. If you share your computer or work in an office where others pass by your desk, checking this box prevents someone from using your computer while you are away. straightforward click the checkbox to toggle it on or off.

Saving your changes

Once you have chosen your screensaver, set the wait time, and decided whether to require a password, click the OK button at the bottom of the Screensaver Settings dialog. Your changes take effect when ready. The next time your computer sits idle for the number of minutes you set, the screensaver will start.

If you change your mind later, you can open Screensaver Settings again and make a different choice. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

Troubleshooting screensaver problems

If your screensaver does not start even though you have set it up, check whether your power settings are overriding it. Some power plans turn off the display before the screensaver has a chance to start. Open Settings, go to System, then Power & battery (or Power & sleep on Windows 10). Look for the setting labeled Screen or Turn off after and make sure it is set to a longer time than your screensaver wait time. For example, if your screensaver is set to start after 10 minutes, set the screen to turn off after 15 minutes.

If a screensaver you installed from the internet is not appearing in the dropdown list, it may not have been installed correctly. Third-party screensavers are less common now, and Windows may block them for security reasons. Stick with the screensavers that come with Windows unless you have a specific reason to use another one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as my screensaver?

Windows does not have a built-in photo screensaver in recent versions. However, you can set a slideshow of photos as your lock screen background, which appears when your computer is locked. Go to Settings, select Personalize, then Lock screen, and choose Slideshow from the Background dropdown.

Why does my screensaver keep turning off before the time I set?

Your power settings are likely turning off the display before the screensaver starts. Open Settings, go to Power & battery (or Power & sleep), and check the screen timeout setting. Make sure it is longer than your screensaver wait time.

Does the screensaver use a lot of power?

Modern screensavers use very little power. If you want to save power when you step away, it is more effective to let your monitor turn off entirely rather than run a screensaver. Adjust your power settings to turn off the display after a few minutes of inactivity.

Can I make the screensaver start when I lock my computer manually?

No, the screensaver only starts after the idle time you set has passed. If you want the screen to go blank when ready when you lock your computer, use your lock screen background instead, or straightforward turn off your monitor manually.

What if I do not see the Screensaver option in Personalize?

Try searching for "screensaver" in the Windows search box and selecting Change screensaver from the results. If that does not work, you may be using a version of Windows that has removed the screensaver feature, though this is rare on Windows 10 and 11.