How to Change Screen Saver Time on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Screen savers may feel like a blast from the past, but they’re still alive and kicking in Windows 11. While their original purpose was to protect older monitors from burn-in, today they’re more about personalization, aesthetics, and sometimes even security.

One of the most common tweaks people want to make is changing the screen saver time—that’s the idle duration before your screen saver kicks in. Whether you want your screen saver to appear quickly when you step away or stay off for longer, this guide will walk you through every method available.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Why Change Screen Saver Time in Windows 11?

Before we start clicking buttons, let’s answer the “why.”

Security: Shorter screen saver times + password protection = safer PC.
Aesthetics: Show off your favorite photos or animations sooner.
Energy Saving: Less screen-on time means less power consumption.
Convenience: Adjust it based on how you actually use your computer.

Different Ways to Change Screen Saver Time

Windows 11 gives you multiple options. We’ll cover them all so you can choose the method that works best for you.

Method 1: Using the Screen Saver Settings Window

This is the easiest and most straightforward way.

Step 1: Open Settings via Search

Press Win + S and type Change screen saver.
Click the result that says Change screen saver.

Step 2: Adjust Screen Saver Settings

In the Screen Saver Settings window, you’ll see a Wait box.
Enter the number of minutes (e.g., 5, 10, 15).

Step 3: Apply and Save

Check On resume, display logon screen if you want extra security.
Click Apply → OK.

Method 2: Through Windows 11 Settings App

If you prefer going through the new Settings app:

Step 1: Open Settings

Press Win + I.

Step 2: Go to Personalization

Click Personalization in the sidebar.

Step 3: Select Lock Screen

Scroll down and click Lock screen.

Step 4: Open Screen Saver Settings

Scroll again, then click Screen saver settings.
Now adjust the Wait time like in Method 1.

Method 3: Using Control Panel (Classic Method)

Old-school users may prefer this.

Step 1: Open Control Panel

Press Win + R, type control, and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to Appearance and Personalization

Click Appearance and Personalization → Change screen saver.

Step 3: Adjust Wait Time

Set your desired idle time in minutes.

Method 4: Change Screen Saver Time via Registry Editor (Advanced)

If you love tweaking Windows under the hood, here’s how:

⚠️ Warning: Be careful—editing the registry incorrectly can break things.

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to Desktop Settings

Go to:

Step 3: Modify ScreenSaveTimeOut

Find ScreenSaveTimeOut.
Double-click it and enter the time (in seconds).
- Example: 600 = 10 minutes.

Step 4: Restart or Log Out

Changes apply after restarting Explorer or signing out.

Method 5: Using Command Prompt

For those who love commands:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.

Step 2: Run This Command

(Replace 600 with your preferred seconds.)

Method 6: With PowerShell

Another command-line option:

Step 1: Open PowerShell

Search for PowerShell and run it as Administrator.

Step 2: Execute the Command

Again, replace 600 with your time in seconds.

How to Disable Screen Saver Entirely

Not a fan of screen savers? Turn them off completely.

Go to Screen Saver Settings.
In the drop-down, select None.
Click Apply → OK.

How to Set Password Protection on Screen Saver

If security is a concern, you can require a password when resuming.

Open Screen Saver Settings.
Check On resume, display logon screen.
Click Apply → OK.

Now, whenever your screen saver ends, you’ll need your password.

How to Test Your Screen Saver

Want to see your changes instantly?

Open Screen Saver Settings.
Click Preview to watch it in action.

Troubleshooting Screen Saver Issues

Sometimes, screen savers don’t behave. Here’s what to check:

Screen saver not starting?
- Check if you set the time too high.
- Ensure no background apps (like media players) keep the screen awake.
Option greyed out?
- Check Group Policy settings (Windows Pro/Enterprise).
Password protection not working?
- Re-enable “On resume, display logon screen.”

Extra Customization Tips

While you’re in there, why not spice things up?

Use Photos as Screen Saver: Select “Photos” from the dropdown.
Customize Wait Time per Preference: Shorter for office, longer for home.
Third-Party Screen Savers: Plenty of fun ones are available online.

When Should You Use a Screen Saver?

At Work: Adds security with auto-lock.
At Home: Great for aesthetics, slideshows, or animations.
On Laptops: Not necessary if you rely on sleep mode instead.

Conclusion

Changing the screen saver time in Windows 11 is simple and can make your PC more secure, energy-efficient, or just plain fun. Whether you go through the Settings app, Control Panel, or even dive into the Registry Editor, the choice is yours.

Want your screen saver to appear after just 1 minute? Or maybe 30? You’re in full control. And remember—if you don’t want a screen saver at all, you can disable it with just a click.

Windows 11 is all about customization, and your screen saver is just another way to make your PC feel like yours.

FAQs

1. What is the default screen saver time in Windows 11?
It’s usually set to 10 or 15 minutes by default, depending on system settings.

2. Can I set screen saver time in seconds instead of minutes?
Yes, but only through the Registry Editor or Command Prompt (enter the value in seconds).

3. Will changing screen saver time affect sleep mode?
No. Screen saver time and sleep mode are separate settings.

4. Why is my screen saver not working in Windows 11?
Check background apps, mouse/keyboard drivers, or Group Policy restrictions.

5. Can I use my own videos as a screen saver?
Not natively. You’d need third-party software to set videos as screen savers.