Screensavers have long been a useful feature to prevent screen burn-in and personalize the look of your computer when it’s idle. While screen burn-in is less of an issue with modern monitors, screensavers still provide a fun or professional aesthetic to your Windows PC. Here’s a step-by-step guide to enable and configure the screensaver on Windows 10 and 11.
Step 1: Open the Settings Menu
The first step is to access the Windows settings, where you can find the screensaver settings. Here’s how to do it:
1. Windows 10: Click on the Start button and type “Change screensaver” in the search bar. Click on the result that says “Change screen saver” under the Best match.
2. Windows 11: Right-click the Start button and choose Settings from the menu, or press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Settings menu.
Step 2: Access Screensaver Settings
Once you’re in the Settings window, follow these steps:
1. In Windows 10, after opening the “Change screensaver” option, you’ll be directed to the screensaver settings window.
2. In Windows 11, in the Settings menu, navigate to Personalization on the left-hand side, then scroll down and click on Lock screen. From here, select Screen saver to access the screensaver settings.
Step 3: Choose and Configure a Screensaver
Now that you’ve accessed the screensaver settings, it’s time to select and configure your screensaver:
1. Under the Screen Saver Settings window, click on the Screen saver drop-down menu.
2. You’ll see several options, such as Blank, 3D Text, Bubbles, and more. Select the one that suits your preference.
3. To preview the screensaver, click the Preview button. If you like what you see, proceed to the next step. Otherwise, try a different screensaver from the list.
Step 4: Set the Idle Time
You can configure how long your PC needs to remain idle before the screensaver activates:
1. In the Wait box, set the amount of time (in minutes) that your computer must be idle before the screensaver kicks in.
2. If you want the system to ask for a password when you resume, check the box that says “On resume, display logon screen”. This is a great way to add an extra layer of security to your device.
Step 5: Save and Activate
Once you’ve selected your screensaver and set the idle time:
1. Click Apply to confirm your settings.
2. Then, click OK to close the window.
Your screensaver is now activated! After your computer remains idle for the specified time, the screensaver will automatically start.
Additional Tip: Shortcuts for Instant Screensaver
If you want to immediately activate your screensaver, you can create a shortcut to the screensaver file and place it on your desktop for quick access. To do this:
1. Right-click on the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
2. Enter the path of the screensaver file (usually found in `C:\Windows\System32` with a .scr extension).
3. Name the shortcut and click Finish. Now, you can double-click this shortcut anytime to instantly activate the screensaver.
By following these steps, you can easily enable and customize your screensaver on your Windows 10 or 11 PC, keeping your display looking fresh and secure when idle.
