How to Turn On Screen Saver in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 10, 2025

Do you miss the classic screen savers from older versions of Windows — the swirling ribbons, bouncing logos, or soothing slideshows? Even though Windows 11 is sleek and modern, screen savers still exist, and they’re surprisingly easy to enable.

In this complete guide, we’ll show you how to turn on screen saver in Windows 11 step-by-step, along with customization options, troubleshooting tips, and answers to common questions.

Whether you want to use a screen saver for nostalgia, security, or aesthetics, this guide covers everything you need to know.

🧭 Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

Feature Description
Purpose Prevent screen burn-in and add visual flair or security
Where to Find It Control Panel → Appearance and Personalization → Screen Saver
Available Options Blank, Bubbles, Ribbons, 3D Text, Photos
Customizable Settings Wait time, display logon screen, photos folder
Difficulty Level Beginner-friendly
Estimated Time 2 minutes

What Is a Screen Saver?

A screen saver is a visual animation or slideshow that appears after your computer stays idle for a certain period of time.

Originally, screen savers were designed to prevent “burn-in” on CRT and plasma displays by keeping pixels active. While modern LCD and OLED screens don’t need them for protection, they’re still useful for:

  • Adding visual appeal when your PC is idle

  • Protecting privacy when you’re away from your desk

  • Automatically locking your computer for security

  • Displaying custom photos or text messages

So, while it’s a bit of nostalgia, screen savers in Windows 11 are still alive and well — just hidden deeper in the settings.

How to Turn On Screen Saver in Windows 11 (Quick Method)

Here’s the fastest way to enable and customize your screen saver:

🪟 Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Press the Windows key + S to open the search bar.

  2. Type Screen Saver and select Change screen saver from the results.

  3. In the Screen Saver Settings window, click the drop-down menu under Screen saver.

  4. Choose a screen saver (e.g., Ribbons, Bubbles, 3D Text, or Photos).

  5. Adjust the Wait time (how long before it activates).

  6. (Optional) Check On resume, display logon screen if you want your PC to lock when the screen saver ends.

  7. Click Apply, then OK.

✅ That’s it! You’ve successfully turned on a screen saver in Windows 11.

Available Screen Savers in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes several built-in screen savers that you can choose from:

Screen Saver Name Description
3D Text Displays rotating 3D text (customizable words, colors, and rotation speed).
Blank Simply shows a black screen — useful for power saving.
Bubbles Floating, colorful bubbles drift across your desktop.
Mystify Colorful lines weave and twist elegantly across the screen.
Photos Displays a slideshow of images from a chosen folder.
Ribbons Flowing ribbons gracefully move across the screen.

💡 Pro Tip: The Photos screen saver is great for personal slideshows — you can set it to display your family pictures, travel photos, or wallpapers.

How to Customize Your Screen Saver

Once you’ve turned on a screen saver, you can personalize it to suit your style.

✏️ To Customize:

  1. Open Screen Saver Settings (search for “Screen Saver” again).

  2. Click the Settings button beside the chosen screen saver.

  3. Depending on the type, you’ll see different customization options:

Screen Saver Customizable Options
3D Text Text, font, rotation, resolution, color, and motion.
Photos Select folder, shuffle images, and transition speed.
Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, Ribbons Limited or no customization.

  1. Click Preview to see how it looks.

  2. Hit Apply → OK to save your changes.

How to Change the Screen Saver Wait Time

The wait time determines how long your PC must remain idle before the screen saver activates.

🕒 To Adjust Wait Time:

  1. Open the Screen Saver Settings window.

  2. Under Wait, enter a time (in minutes).

  3. Example: Enter 5 to activate after 5 minutes of inactivity.

  4. Click Apply → OK.

💡 Tip: A shorter wait time (2–5 minutes) is best for security, while longer durations (10–15 minutes) are fine for personal computers.

How to Enable Screen Saver Lock for Security

You can make your PC ask for a password after the screen saver ends — ideal for office or shared computers.

🔐 To Enable Screen Saver Lock:

  1. Open the Screen Saver Settings window.

  2. Check the box next to On resume, display logon screen.

  3. Click Apply → OK.

Now, when you move your mouse or press a key, Windows 11 will prompt you to log in again.

How to Use Photos as a Screen Saver in Windows 11

If you want to display personal pictures or wallpapers:

🖼️ Step-by-Step:

  1. Open Screen Saver Settings.

  2. Choose Photos from the drop-down menu.

  3. Click Settings.

  4. Click Browse and select a folder containing your favorite pictures.

  5. Choose Shuffle pictures (optional).

  6. Click Save → Apply → OK.

Now, your screen saver will display a slideshow of images from your selected folder.

💡 Tip: Store your pictures in C:\Users\YourName\Pictures for easy access.

How to Preview a Screen Saver

Want to see how it looks before activating it?

Simply click Preview in the Screen Saver Settings window.

  • The screen saver will start instantly.

  • Move your mouse or press a key to exit preview mode.

This lets you test different styles before making your final choice.

How to Turn Off the Screen Saver

If you ever want to disable the screen saver:

  1. Go to Screen Saver Settings.

  2. In the drop-down menu, select None.

  3. Click Apply → OK.

Your screen will now remain idle without launching any animation or slideshow.

How to Access Screen Saver Settings from Control Panel

While you can search for “Screen Saver,” some users prefer using the traditional Control Panel path.

🧭 Here’s How:

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run.

  2. Type:

    control desk.cpl,,@screensaver

  3. Press Enter.
    → The Screen Saver Settings window opens instantly.

This shortcut works on all Windows 10 and 11 versions.

How to Turn On Screen Saver Using Command Prompt

You can also enable or open the screen saver settings using Command Prompt.

⚙️ Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

  2. Type:

    control desk.cpl,,@screensaver

  3. Press Enter to open the configuration window.

Alternatively, you can directly launch a specific screen saver file.
For example:

C:\Windows\System32\ribbons.scr

Each screen saver has its own .scr file stored in the System32 folder.

Screen Saver File Locations in Windows 11

If you’re curious, here’s where the built-in screen savers are located:

Screen Saver File Name Path
3D Text ssText3d.scr C:\Windows\System32
Blank scrnsave.scr C:\Windows\System32
Bubbles Bubbles.scr C:\Windows\System32
Mystify Mystify.scr C:\Windows\System32
Photos PhotoScreensaver.scr C:\Windows\System32
Ribbons Ribbons.scr C:\Windows\System32

💡 You can create shortcuts to these files on your desktop for quick activation.

How to Create a Screen Saver Shortcut on Desktop

To quickly access your favorite screen saver:

  1. Right-click on your desktop → New → Shortcut.

  2. In the location box, type the full path of the screen saver file, for example:

    C:\Windows\System32\Ribbons.scr

  3. Click Next, name it (e.g., Ribbons Screen Saver), and click Finish.

  4. Double-click the shortcut anytime to instantly run your screen saver.

How to Fix Screen Saver Not Working in Windows 11

If your screen saver isn’t showing up, here’s how to troubleshoot it:

🧩 Common Causes and Fixes

Problem Solution
Screen saver never starts Check your Wait time in settings.
It starts but stops quickly Disable apps that prevent sleep (like media players).
Not activating on battery Adjust Power settings → Display → Turn off screen.
Mouse movement too sensitive Unplug optical mouse or reduce surface sensitivity.
System updates reset settings Re-enable screen saver manually.

💡 Advanced Fix: Run sfc /scannow in Command Prompt to repair any corrupted system files that might affect screen saver behavior.

How to Use a Custom or Third-Party Screen Saver

You’re not limited to Windows’ defaults — you can download .scr files (screen savers) online.

⚠️ Important Tips:

  • Only download from trusted sources.

  • Place .scr files in the C:\Windows\System32 directory.

  • They’ll appear automatically in the Screen Saver Settings drop-down list.

This allows you to install animated, nature, or interactive screen savers safely.

How to Turn On Screen Saver via Group Policy (Pro & Enterprise)

For administrators or corporate environments, you can configure screen savers using Group Policy Editor.

Steps:

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

  2. Navigate to:

    User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Control Panel → Personalization

  3. Double-click Enable Screen Saver → Select Enabled.

  4. (Optional) Set Screen Saver Timeout and Password Protect the Screen Saver.

  5. Apply and close.

This ensures a consistent policy across all user accounts.

How to Set a Screen Saver Timeout via Registry Editor (Advanced)

If you prefer the manual route:

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

  2. Go to:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

  3. Look for the value ScreenSaveTimeOut.

  4. Double-click it and enter a value in seconds (e.g., 300 = 5 minutes).

  5. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

You can also edit:

  • SCRNSAVE.EXE → Specifies which screen saver file to run

  • ScreenSaveActive → Set to 1 to enable or 0 to disable

Benefits of Using a Screen Saver in Windows 11

Benefit Explanation
Visual Appeal Adds motion and personality to your desktop.
Privacy Protection Hides open apps when you step away.
Security Lock your computer automatically on resume.
Nostalgia Classic animations still loved by many users.
Branding Display company logos or custom text.

Expert Tips for Screen Saver Enthusiasts

  • 🖼️ Use the Photos saver for digital picture frames.

  • 🔐 Combine screen saver lock with Windows Hello for instant security.

  • 🌙 For energy saving, use Blank or adjust power settings.

  • 🎨 Create custom text in 3D Text to display your name or message.

  • 🧠 Pair with Focus Assist to reduce distractions.

Conclusion: Bring Back the Charm of Screen Savers in Windows 11

Even though screen savers may feel like a thing of the past, they’re still a fun and functional part of Windows 11.

By now, you know exactly how to turn on, customize, and troubleshoot screen savers — from the simple Ribbons to personalized photo slideshows.

Here’s a quick recap:

  • Open Screen Saver Settings through search or Run (control desk.cpl,,@screensaver)

  • Choose your favorite style and wait time

  • Customize or lock for security

  • Enjoy a touch of motion and nostalgia on your modern PC

So go ahead — bring your desktop to life again with a classic Windows 11 screen saver!

🔍 FAQs About Turning On Screen Saver in Windows 11

1. Does Windows 11 still have screen savers?

Yes! Windows 11 still includes classic screen savers like Ribbons, Bubbles, and Photos.

2. How do I access screen saver settings quickly?

Press Windows + R, type control desk.cpl,,@screensaver, and hit Enter.

3. Can I use my own photos as a screen saver?

Absolutely. Choose Photos in the screen saver menu and select a folder of your images.

4. How do I make the screen saver lock my PC?

Check “On resume, display logon screen” in the Screen Saver Settings window.

5. Why is my screen saver not working?

Check your Wait time, power settings, and ensure no apps (like video players) are keeping the screen active.

📝 Final Thoughts

Screen savers might not be a daily necessity anymore, but they’re still a great way to personalize your Windows 11 experience. Whether you’re using them for fun, focus, or functionality, enabling them is just a few clicks away.

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