How to Set Screen Saver in Windows 11 — A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 27, 2025

Do you miss those cool, moving images or animations that pop up when your PC stays idle? That’s your screen saver, and yes — it still exists in Windows 11!

While it’s more nostalgic than necessary (modern monitors don’t really need them to prevent burn-in), screen savers can add a personal touch, display a clock, or even enhance your PC’s security by requiring a password on resume.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to set a screen saver in Windows 11, customize it, adjust the wait time, and even use your own photos. Let’s dive in!

🧩 What Is a Screen Saver?

A screen saver is an animation or image display that activates when your computer is idle for a certain period.

Originally designed to prevent screen burn-in on CRT monitors, screen savers today serve aesthetic or functional purposes — such as showing a slideshow of your photos or locking your PC automatically after inactivity.

💡 Why Use a Screen Saver on Windows 11?

Even though they’re not essential anymore, screen savers offer a few benefits:

  • Visual appeal – Customize your desktop look with floating shapes or personal images.
  • Security – Lock your computer automatically when the screen saver starts.
  • Nostalgia – Relive the old-school Windows vibes with retro screen savers.
  • Personalization – Display family photos, motivational quotes, or company logos.

⚙️ How to Set a Screen Saver in Windows 11 (Quick Method)

Here’s the fastest way to open the screen saver settings panel.

🪟 Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Press Windows + S to open the Search bar.
  2. Type “Change screen saver” and hit Enter.
  3. The Screen Saver Settings window will open.
  4. Under Screen saver, click the drop-down menu to choose one (e.g., 3D Text, Bubbles, Blank, Mystify, Photos).
  5. Click Preview to see what it looks like.
  6. Set the Wait time (in minutes) before it activates.
  7. (Optional) Check “On resume, display logon screen” to secure your PC.
  8. Click Apply, then OK to save your settings.

✅ Done! Your screen saver is now active.

🧭 Navigating to Screen Saver via Control Panel

Prefer the classic Control Panel route? No problem.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type: 
    control desk.cpl,,@screensaver

    and press Enter.

  3. The Screen Saver Settings window will open directly.

This command is perfect for creating a shortcut or automating the process.

🖼️ Screen Saver Options in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes a few built-in screen savers you can choose from. Here’s a quick overview:

Screen Saver Description
Blank Turns the screen black — simple and power-efficient.
Bubbles Displays floating colorful bubbles over your desktop.
Mystify Shows moving, twisting lines with smooth animations.
Photos Displays a slideshow of pictures from a selected folder.
3D Text Shows customizable 3D text floating around.

🧠 How to Customize Your Screen Saver

Some screen savers offer customization options to make them uniquely yours.

🧩 Example 1: Customizing “3D Text”

  1. Select 3D Text in the drop-down list.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. In the dialog box, choose Custom Text and type anything (like your name or a quote).
  4. You can also select Font, Rotation Type, and Surface Style.
  5. Click OK, then Apply.

🧩 Example 2: Customizing “Photos”

  1. Select Photos from the list.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Browse and choose your preferred image folder.
  4. Adjust the slide show speed and whether to shuffle pictures.
  5. Apply and preview.

💡 Tip: Choose a folder synced with OneDrive or Pictures for automatic updates.

⏰ Adjusting Screen Saver Wait Time

You can control how long your PC stays idle before the screen saver starts.

To set it:

  1. In the Screen Saver Settings window, find Wait:
  2. Enter your preferred time (in minutes).
    • Example: Type 5 for 5 minutes of inactivity.
  3. Click Apply.

💬 Pro Tip: For shared or office PCs, setting a shorter time (like 2–3 minutes) improves privacy.

🔒 Enable Password on Resume for Security

If you use a screen saver in a work or public environment, enabling password protection is a must.

Steps:

  1. In Screen Saver Settings, check the box for “On resume, display logon screen.”
  2. Click Apply → OK.
  3. Now, when your screen saver ends, Windows will ask for your password.

This is a simple but effective security measure to prevent unauthorized access.

🧰 How to Disable the Screen Saver in Windows 11

If you don’t want a screen saver at all:

  1. Open Screen Saver Settings (Windows + S → search “Change screen saver”).
  2. Set the drop-down menu to None.
  3. Click Apply → OK.

That’s it — no more automatic animations when your PC is idle.

🧱 How to Set Up a Screen Saver Shortcut

Want one-click access to your screen saver? Create a desktop shortcut!

Steps:

  1. Right-click on your desktop → New → Shortcut.
  2. In the location field, paste: 
    control desk.cpl,,@screensaver
  3. Click Next, name it “Screen Saver Settings,” and hit Finish.
  4. Double-click it anytime to open the settings instantly.

🪄 How to Preview Your Screen Saver Anytime

You can test your current screen saver instantly:

  1. Go to the Screen Saver Settings window.
  2. Click Preview.
  3. To stop the preview, just move your mouse or press a key.

This lets you fine-tune visuals before finalizing your settings.

🌈 Setting a Slideshow Screen Saver with Personal Photos

Want to turn your screen saver into a personal photo display?

Here’s how:

  1. Open Screen Saver Settings.
  2. Select Photos from the drop-down.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Choose your photo folder.
  5. Set speed and shuffle preferences.
  6. Click Save → Apply.

This creates a personalized photo slideshow that activates when idle — perfect for showcasing vacation memories or family portraits.

🧮 Bonus: Using Registry Editor to Change Screen Saver (Advanced)

If you love tweaking Windows through the Registry Editor, here’s how to modify screen saver settings manually.

⚠️ Warning: Only proceed if you’re comfortable editing the Registry.

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: 
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
  3. Find these keys and modify as needed:
    • SCRNSAVE.EXE → Path to the screen saver file.
    • ScreenSaveTimeOut → Time in seconds (e.g., 300 = 5 min).
    • ScreenSaverIsSecure → 1 to require password, 0 to disable.
  4. Restart your PC to apply changes.

🧠 Common Screen Saver Issues and Fixes

Problem Possible Solution
Screen saver not starting Check power settings — ensure display sleep timer isn’t shorter than screen saver wait time.
“Change screen saver” missing Use Run command: control desk.cpl,,@screensaver.
Photos screen saver not working Verify photo folder access and supported image formats (.jpg, .png).
Password on resume not working Re-enable via Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.

🎯 Best Practices for Screen Saver Settings

  • Use photo slideshows for personal flair.
  • Set short wait times for security on shared PCs.
  • Avoid heavy 3D effects on low-power laptops.
  • Test before finalizing — use Preview to confirm visuals.
  • Always click Apply → OK after changes.

🏁 Conclusion

Setting a screen saver in Windows 11 is simple — and it’s a fun way to personalize your PC. Whether you want floating bubbles, a rotating 3D message, or a slideshow of family photos, Windows 11 lets you do it all in just a few clicks.

To recap:

  • Access the screen saver through “Change screen saver” in Search.
  • Customize the type, wait time, and security settings.
  • Use your own photos for a personalized touch.
  • Secure your device by requiring a password on resume.

Now that you know how to set and customize your screen saver, go ahead and give your Windows 11 desktop a little extra life!

❓ FAQs About Screen Savers in Windows 11

1. How do I access screen saver settings in Windows 11?
Press Windows + S, type “Change screen saver”, and hit Enter.

2. Can I use my own pictures as a screen saver?
Yes! Choose Photos in the screen saver menu and select your image folder.

3. How do I disable the screen saver?
Set the Screen saver drop-down to None and click Apply.

4. Why isn’t my screen saver starting?
Make sure your display sleep settings don’t turn off the screen before the saver activates.

5. Can I make my screen saver require a password?
Yes. In Screen Saver Settings, check “On resume, display logon screen.”

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Access screen saver settings quickly with Windows + S → “Change screen saver.”
  • Choose from built-in options like Bubbles, Mystify, or Photos.
  • Adjust wait time and enable password protection for extra security.
  • Use your own photos for a custom slideshow.
  • Create a shortcut for instant access to settings.

Screen savers might be old-school, but in Windows 11, they’re still a great way to express your personality and secure your PC effortlessly. ✨

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