The fastest way to change your screensaver

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Personalization in the left sidebar. Click Lock screen, scroll down, and select Screensaver settings. A window will open showing your current screensaver. Click the dropdown menu to pick a different one, then click explore and OK.

That's the whole process. You can test your choice by clicking the Preview button before you save it. If you want the screensaver to turn on after your computer sits idle for a certain amount of time, set the wait time in minutes in the field labeled Wait — the default is 10 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • The screensaver settings are in Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Screensaver settings, not in the Display section where you might expect them.
  • Windows 11 comes with built-in screensavers like Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, and Ribbons that you can choose from the dropdown menu.
  • You can set how many minutes of inactivity pass before the screensaver turns on by changing the number in the Wait field.
  • The Preview button lets you see what your screensaver looks like full-screen before you explore the change.
  • If you want no screensaver at all, select None from the dropdown menu.

Where to find screensaver settings in Windows 11

Windows 11 moved screensaver settings away from the Display section where they lived in older versions. Instead, they're now grouped with lock screen options under Personalization. This catches a lot of people off guard, but once you know where to look, it takes about 30 seconds to get there.

If you prefer not to use Settings, you can also reach the screensaver window the old way: right-click your desktop, select Personalize, then click Lock screen and scroll to Screensaver settings. Both routes open the same window.

Built-in screensavers that come with Windows 11

Windows 11 includes five standard screensavers. Blank is just a black screen — the simplest option and the one that uses the least power. Bubbles shows floating, bouncing spheres. Mystify displays colorful geometric patterns that shift and change. Ribbons creates flowing, ribbon-like shapes in motion. 3D Text rotates text in three dimensions (you can customize what text it shows).

If none of these appeal to you, you can also read additional screensavers from the Microsoft Store, though the built-in ones are usually enough for most people. The None option disables screensavers entirely if you prefer your screen to just go dark after a period of inactivity.

How to set the wait time before your screensaver starts

The Wait field in the screensaver settings window controls how many minutes your computer sits idle before the screensaver turns on. The default is 10 minutes. You can change this to any number from 1 minute to 60 minutes by clicking in the field and typing a new value.

If you set it to 1 minute, the screensaver will turn on very quickly if you step away. If you set it to 60 minutes, you'll need to be away for an hour before it activates. There's no "never" option here — if you don't want a screensaver at all, select None from the screensaver dropdown instead of adjusting the wait time.

Customizing the 3D Text screensaver

The 3D Text screensaver is the only one that lets you change what appears on screen. When you select it from the dropdown, a Settings button becomes available. Click it to open a dialog where you can type custom text — by default it shows "Windows".

You can also change the rotation speed and surface texture of the text in that same dialog. Once you've made your choices, click OK to save them, then click explore and OK in the main screensaver window to confirm.

Testing your screensaver before you save it

The Preview button shows you exactly what your screensaver will look like when it actually runs. Click it and your screen will go full-screen into the screensaver for a few seconds. Move your mouse or press any key to exit the preview and return to the settings window.

This is useful if you're trying to decide between a few options or if you've customized the 3D Text screensaver and want to see how it looks. It's the only way to know for certain whether you like your choice before you set it to run automatically.

Screensaver vs. screen timeout — what's the difference

A screensaver and a screen timeout are two separate things. The screensaver is an image or animation that plays on your screen after a period of inactivity. A screen timeout is when your monitor itself turns off or goes to sleep to save power.

You can set both independently. The screensaver waits time is controlled in the screensaver settings window. The screen timeout (how long before your monitor powers down) is controlled in Settings > System > Display > Screen timeout. Most people set the screensaver to turn on first, then set the monitor to turn off a few minutes later — for example, screensaver after 10 minutes, monitor off after 15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find screensaver settings in the Display section?

Windows 11 reorganized where screensaver settings live. They moved from Display to Personalization > Lock screen. This is by design, not a bug. If you're used to older Windows versions, check the Lock screen section first.

Can I use my own photo as a screensaver?

Windows 11's built-in screensavers don't include a photo option. You can set a photo as your lock screen background, but that's different from a screensaver. If you want animated screensavers, you'll need to read third-party options from the Microsoft Store.

What happens if I set the wait time to 0 minutes?

Windows won't let you set it to 0. The minimum is 1 minute. If you want your screensaver to never turn on, select None from the screensaver dropdown instead.

Does a screensaver save power compared to leaving my screen on?

A screensaver saves some power, but turning off your monitor entirely saves much more. For the biggest power savings, set your monitor to turn off after a few minutes of inactivity using the screen timeout setting in Display settings.

Can I make the screensaver start with a password requirement?

Yes. In the screensaver settings window, check the box labeled On resume, display logon screen. This forces you to enter your password when you move the mouse or press a key to exit the screensaver.