Do you find your screen saver turning on when you’re in the middle of something important — maybe watching a video, monitoring downloads, or giving a presentation? Don’t worry. Windows 11 makes it easy to disable the screen saver entirely so your screen stays active until you decide otherwise.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover all the methods you can use to turn off the screen saver in Windows 11, along with troubleshooting tips, best practices, and answers to common questions.
Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)
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Windows 11 still supports traditional screen savers, but they’re hidden in legacy settings.
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You can disable the screen saver through Personalization settings, the Screen Saver dialog box, or by editing the Registry/Group Policy (for advanced users).
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Disabling a screen saver is safe and helps prevent interruptions during long tasks.
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If you just want to keep your screen awake temporarily, you can also tweak Power & Sleep settings.
What is a Screen Saver in Windows 11?
A screen saver is an animation or blank screen that appears after your PC has been idle for a set period. Originally, screen savers protected older CRT monitors from burn-in, but modern LCD/LED displays don’t need them.
On Windows 11, screen savers are mostly decorative or used for security (locking the screen after inactivity).
Why Disable the Screen Saver?
Here are common reasons you might want to turn it off:
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You’re watching videos, monitoring processes, or giving presentations.
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Screen saver interrupts gaming sessions or full-screen apps.
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You want to rely only on Sleep mode or display off settings instead.
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To save system resources (screen savers do use minimal GPU/CPU).
Method 1 — Disable via the Screen Saver Settings Dialog
This is the quickest and most direct way.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
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Type:
and press Enter.
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The Screen Saver Settings window will open.
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In the drop-down menu under Screen saver, select (None).
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Click Apply → OK.
✅ Done — your screen saver is now disabled.
Method 2 — Disable from Personalization → Lock Screen Settings
Windows 11 hides screen saver settings under Lock Screen customization.
Steps:
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Right-click on your desktop and choose Personalize.
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In the left sidebar, click Lock screen.
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Scroll down and click Screen saver settings under Related settings.
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In the dialog that appears, set the Screen saver option to None.
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Click Apply → OK.
Method 3 — Adjust Power & Sleep Settings (Alternative Way)
If your real goal is just to prevent the screen from turning off, tweak Power & Sleep instead of disabling screen saver.
Steps:
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Open Settings (Win + I).
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Go to System → Power & battery.
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Under Screen and sleep, adjust the drop-down menus:
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On battery power, turn off my screen after… → set to a longer time or Never.
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When plugged in, turn off my screen after… → set to a longer time or Never.
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This ensures your display stays on without needing to mess with legacy screen saver options.
Method 4 — Disable via Registry Editor (Advanced Users)
If you want to enforce screen saver settings at the system level, use the Registry Editor.
⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Always back up your registry first.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Look for the value named ScreenSaveActive.
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If it doesn’t exist, right-click and create a New → String Value with that name.
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Double-click it and set its value to:
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Restart your PC.
This disables the screen saver at the registry level.
Method 5 — Disable via Group Policy Editor (Pro & Enterprise Only)
For IT admins or Windows Pro users, Group Policy is a cleaner way.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Double-click Enable screen saver.
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Select Disabled, then click Apply → OK.
Now, no user on the PC can enable a screen saver.
What to Do if the Screen Saver Keeps Coming Back
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Double-check Group Policy or Registry settings (they override personal settings).
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Ensure third-party apps (like system cleaners or corporate IT tools) aren’t re-enabling it.
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Run SFC/DISM to fix corrupted system files:
Difference Between Screen Saver, Screen Timeout, and Sleep
| Feature | What It Does | Where to Change |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Saver | Displays animations or blank screen | Screen Saver Settings |
| Screen Timeout | Turns off display after inactivity | Settings → System → Power & battery |
| Sleep Mode | Suspends the entire system to save power | Settings → System → Power & battery |
👉 If your screen goes black after a few minutes, it’s likely screen timeout, not a screen saver.
Best Practices (When to Disable vs Keep It)
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Disable if: you use modern monitors, want uninterrupted activity, or rely on Sleep instead.
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Keep enabled if: you like the visual look, or want it to auto-lock your PC after inactivity (for security).
Conclusion and Action Plan
Disabling the screen saver on Windows 11 is simple once you know where to look. The easiest method is via Screen Saver Settings (Method 1) or Personalization settings (Method 2). For stricter control, use Registry or Group Policy.
If you just want your display to stay on, tweak Power & Sleep settings instead of touching the screen saver at all.
Now you’re in control — no more random interruptions when you’re working, gaming, or streaming!
FAQs
1. Does Windows 11 still have screen savers?
Yes, but they’re hidden under legacy settings. You can access them via control desk.cpl,,@screensaver.
2. Is it safe to disable the screen saver?
Absolutely. Modern monitors don’t need them for protection, so disabling is safe.
3. My screen still turns off after disabling the screen saver — why?
That’s caused by Power & Sleep settings, not the screen saver. Adjust them under Settings → System → Power & battery.
4. Can I disable the screen saver for all users?
Yes — use Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise) or Registry tweaks.
5. Will disabling the screen saver save battery?
Not directly. In fact, keeping your screen always on may drain more battery. Instead, adjust Sleep settings for better power management.