How to Turn Off Screensaver on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 3, 2025

Do you still see your screen go dark or display a moving image after some minutes of inactivity on Windows 11? That’s the screensaver feature at work. Screensavers used to protect old CRT monitors from “burn-in,” but on modern LED and LCD displays, they’re no longer necessary.

Instead, many users prefer to turn off the screensaver to avoid interruptions—especially when watching videos, working with documents, or during presentations.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to disable the screensaver in Windows 11, along with extra tips to manage display settings effectively.

📌 Quick Summary (Key Takeaways)

  • Screensavers are outdated on modern displays and can be safely disabled.

  • You can turn off the screensaver via Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Screen saver settings.

  • Setting the screensaver to None ensures your PC screen stays active until sleep or power settings take over.

  • Alternative methods include using Run commands or Control Panel.

Why Turn Off Screensaver in Windows 11?

Here are some reasons why you might want to disable it:

  • ✅ Uninterrupted work or streaming – No annoying screen interruptions.

  • ✅ Save power – Screensavers don’t reduce energy use, while sleep mode does.

  • ✅ Better presentations – Avoid awkward moments when your PC activates a screensaver in the middle of a meeting.

  • ✅ Cleaner experience – Many users simply prefer a minimal setup without extra animations.

How to Turn Off Screensaver on Windows 11

There are several easy methods to do this. Let’s go step by step.

1. Turn Off Screensaver via Settings

The easiest and most common way is through Windows Settings.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Personalization from the left panel.

  3. Click on Lock screen.

  4. Scroll down and select Screen saver settings.

  5. In the new window, under Screen saver, open the drop-down menu.

  6. Select (None).

  7. Click Apply > OK.

✅ Done! Your screensaver is now disabled.

2. Disable Screensaver Using the Run Command

If you want a quicker shortcut:

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type:

    control desk.cpl,,@screensaver

  3. Press Enter.

  4. The Screen Saver Settings window will open.

  5. From the drop-down, select None > Apply > OK.

This is the fastest method if you frequently tweak screensaver settings.

3. Turn Off Screensaver via Control Panel

While Control Panel is less common in Windows 11, it still works.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + S and type Control Panel, then open it.

  2. In the search bar (top right), type screensaver.

  3. Click Change screen saver.

  4. Set the option to None.

  5. Apply changes.

4. Disable Screensaver with Registry Editor (Advanced)

For advanced users, you can directly edit the registry.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful when editing the registry—incorrect changes can affect your system.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

  3. In the right pane, look for the value named SCRNSAVE.EXE.

  4. Right-click and select Delete (or leave it blank).

  5. Restart your PC.

✅ This ensures no screensaver can run.

5. Disable Screensaver via Group Policy Editor (Pro & Enterprise Users)

If you’re on Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use Group Policy.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.

  2. Go to:

    User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Personalization

  3. Find Enable screen saver.

  4. Double-click it and select Disabled.

  5. Apply and restart your PC.

Screensaver vs. Sleep Mode: What’s Better?

Feature Screensaver Sleep Mode
Saves power ❌ No ✅ Yes
Prevents burn-in ✅ (for old CRT monitors) ✅
Keeps PC running ✅ Yes ❌ No (pauses activity)
Recommended in 2025 ❌ Not necessary ✅ Yes

👉 For modern PCs, sleep mode is always better than using a screensaver.

Troubleshooting: Screensaver Won’t Turn Off

If your screensaver still appears after disabling it:

  • Restart your PC to apply changes.

  • Check if a third-party app (like security software) forces a screensaver.

  • Ensure power settings are not overriding it.

  • Run Windows Update in case of a bug.

Conclusion

Turning off the screensaver in Windows 11 is simple and ensures a smoother, distraction-free experience.

👉 If you want an easy method, use Settings > Lock screen > Screen saver settings and select None.
👉 Power users can go further by tweaking via Registry Editor or Group Policy.

With this, your PC will stay active until your sleep or display timeout settings kick in.

FAQs About Turning Off Screensaver in Windows 11

1. How do I completely remove the screensaver?
Set the screensaver option to None in the Screen Saver Settings.

2. Can I stop screensaver for only certain apps?
No. Screensavers apply system-wide, but apps like YouTube automatically prevent them during playback.

3. Will disabling screensaver save battery?
Not directly. Instead, enable sleep mode or lower display timeout for better power savings.

4. Can I turn off screensaver with a keyboard shortcut?
No default shortcut exists, but you can create a shortcut to open Screen Saver Settings quickly.

5. Why does my screensaver keep turning on even after disabling?
This may be due to Group Policy, registry entries, or third-party apps resetting the settings.

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