How to Customise Screen Saver Settings in Windows

A screen saver can be a simple way to personalise your Windows PC when you step away from it for a few minutes. Instead of leaving your desktop unchanged, you can have Windows display an animation, blank screen, or your own photos after a set period of inactivity.

If you want to customise your screen saver, Windows gives you several options without requiring any complicated changes. You can choose the screen saver you prefer, decide how long your PC should remain idle before it appears, preview it, and choose whether Windows should show the sign-in screen when you return.

The process is similar across Windows 11 and Windows 10, although the route to the settings can look slightly different. Once you know where to find the Screen Saver Settings window, making changes only takes a few moments.

Windows offers plenty of personalisation options beyond the screen saver. If you're adjusting other Windows preferences too, you can also learn how to change your default web browser in Windows. 

What Can You Customise?

The Windows screen saver settings let you control several aspects of how the feature works. Depending on the screen saver you choose, you may be able to:

• Select a different screen saver style.

• Set the number of minutes before it starts.

• Preview the selected screen saver.

• Use your own photos as a screen saver.

• Require the sign-in screen when you resume using the PC.

These options are particularly useful if you use a shared computer or want your PC to provide a little more privacy when you leave your desk.

Screen Saver vs Display Timeout

It's easy to confuse a screen saver with Windows' display and sleep settings, but they work differently.

A screen saver appears on the display after your PC has been inactive for the amount of time you choose. Your computer is still running in the background.

A display timeout, on the other hand, turns the screen off after a period of inactivity. Sleep settings can go a step further by putting the computer into a lower-power state.

So, if your goal is simply to change what appears on the screen while you're away, the Screen Saver Settings option is the one you need.

Next, we'll look at the available screen saver settings Windows 11 users can change and how to access them.

Access Screen Saver Settings on Windows 11

Windows 11 still includes the traditional screen saver controls, although they are not placed directly in the main Personalisation menu. The quickest way to find them is through Windows Search. Once the Screen Saver Settings window is open, you can choose the screen saver you want and adjust when it should appear.

Open the Screen Saver Settings

You can reach the screen saver settings Windows 11 users need in just a few clicks:

1. Press Windows + S to open Windows Search.

2. Type Change screen saver in the search box.

3. Select Change screen saver from the search results.

4. The Screen Saver Settings window will open.

This window contains the main options you need to customise the feature. You don't need to change any advanced Windows settings to get started.

Choose a Screen Saver

Under the Screen saver section, open the drop-down menu to see the available options on your PC.

Windows commonly includes options such as 3D Text, Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, Photos and Ribbons. The exact list may differ depending on your Windows version and system configuration.

Select the option you like. If the selected screen saver has additional settings, the Settings button may become available.

For example, the Photos option allows you to use pictures from your computer instead of a standard Windows animation.

Set the Wait Time

The Wait option determines how long your computer needs to remain inactive before the screen saver starts.

Enter the number of minutes you want Windows to wait. For example, setting it to 10 minutes means the screen saver will normally appear after about 10 minutes without mouse or keyboard activity.

There's no single setting that's right for everyone. If you often leave your computer unattended, a shorter delay may be more practical. If you are reading or working at your desk and regularly pause for a few minutes, you may prefer a longer delay.

Enable the Sign-In Screen

You'll find an option called On resume, display logon screen below the waiting time.

Turn this on if you want Windows to show the sign-in screen whenever the screen saver ends. You'll then need to use your usual password, PIN or another sign-in method before returning to the desktop.

This is particularly useful when you're using a shared computer or regularly leave your PC unattended.

Preview Your Screen Saver

Before saving your choices, click Preview to see how the selected screen saver looks.

Windows will display it across your screen. Move the mouse or press a key to exit the preview and return to the settings window.

Apply the Changes

Once you've selected your preferred screen saver and adjusted the waiting time:

1. Click Apply.

2. Select OK.

Your new settings will now be saved. If you want to how to change screen saver options again later, simply search for Change screen saver and open the same settings window.

Next, we'll cover the equivalent screen saver settings Windows 10 users can access and how the process differs slightly from Windows 11.

If you're also experiencing unusual behaviour from your display or other hardware, checking your drivers can be worthwhile. You can learn how to manually update your device drivers in Windows before trying more advanced troubleshooting. 

Change Screen Saver Settings on Windows 10

Windows 10 provides the same basic screen saver options as Windows 11, but you can reach them through the Personalisation settings. You can select a screen saver, choose how long the PC should stay inactive before it starts, and decide whether Windows should show the sign-in screen when you return.

Open Screen Saver Settings

To access the screen saver settings Windows 10 provides, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.

2. Choose Personalisation.

3. Select Lock screen from the menu on the left.

4. Scroll down and click Screen saver settings.

The classic Screen Saver Settings window will open. You can also search for Change screen saver from the Start menu and open the matching result directly.

Select Your Preferred Screen Saver

In the Screen Saver Settings window, use the Screen saver drop-down menu to choose an option.

Depending on your Windows installation, you may see choices such as 3D Text, Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, Photos and Ribbons.

If you want to display your own pictures, choose Photos. You can then select Settings to choose the folder containing the images you want Windows to use.

You can also select Preview to see what the screen saver will look like before applying it.

Adjust the Waiting Time

The Wait setting determines how many minutes your PC needs to remain inactive before the screen saver starts.

For example, if you set the wait time to five minutes, Windows will normally activate the screen saver after approximately five minutes without mouse or keyboard activity.

You can increase or decrease this time according to your preference. A shorter delay may be useful when privacy is important, while a longer delay can prevent the screen saver from appearing when you only step away briefly.

Require Sign-In When the Screen Saver Ends

Windows 10 also includes the On resume, display logon screen option.

When enabled, Windows will take you to the sign-in screen when you move the mouse or press a key after the screen saver has started. You'll need to sign in using your normal Windows credentials before accessing the desktop.

This option is worth enabling if you work on a shared computer or regularly leave your PC unattended.

Preview and Save Your Changes

After selecting your screen saver and adjusting the settings, click Preview if you want to check the result.

When everything looks right, select Apply and then click OK.

Your changes will take effect immediately. You can return to this window whenever you want to change screen saver Windows settings, including the animation, photos, waiting time or sign-in behaviour.

Although Windows 10 and Windows 11 use slightly different routes to reach these controls, the actual Screen Saver Settings window is very similar on both versions.

Personalise Your Windows Screen Saver

Once you've opened the Screen Saver Settings window, you can do more than simply turn the feature on. Windows gives you a few ways to make the screen saver suit your preferences, whether you want a simple animation, your own photos, or a shorter delay for privacy.

Choose a Screen Saver That Suits You

The easiest way to personalise the feature is to select a different option from the Screen saver drop-down menu.

If you prefer something simple, Blank displays a plain black screen. Other options provide animations, while Photos lets you display images stored on your computer.

You can use the Preview button after selecting an option to see how it will look before saving your choice.

Use Your Own Photos

The Photos screen saver is useful if you'd rather see your own pictures when the computer is idle.

Select Photos from the screen saver list and click Settings. From there, you can choose the folder containing the pictures you want Windows to display.

This can be a useful option for a personal computer, although you may want to avoid selecting a folder containing private or work-related images if other people can see your screen.

Choose When the Screen Saver Starts

The Wait setting controls the amount of idle time before the screen saver appears.

You don't have to use the same delay every day. For example, a shorter delay can make sense on a computer used in a shared workspace, while a longer delay may be more convenient for someone who frequently pauses while reading or working.

Remember that changing this setting only affects the screen saver. It does not change when Windows turns off your display or puts the computer to sleep.

If your screen is going completely black after a Windows update rather than showing the screen saver, you can also learn how to fix a black screen after a Windows update for further troubleshooting. 

Add an Extra Privacy Layer

If you don't want your desktop immediately visible when you return to your computer, enable On resume, display logon screen.

With this option turned on, Windows returns to the sign-in screen when the screen saver ends. This gives you an easy way to prevent someone nearby from accessing an unlocked desktop while you're away.

For stronger control over when your display turns off or your PC enters sleep mode, you'll need to adjust the separate Windows power and sleep settings.

Conclusion

Customising the screen saver is still a simple way to personalise how your Windows PC behaves when you're away from it. Whether you're using Windows 11 or Windows 10, you can choose a screen saver, adjust the waiting time, display your own photos and require the sign-in screen when you return.

The quickest approach is to search for Change screen saver and open the classic settings window. From there, most changes can be made in just a few clicks.

If your Windows PC is giving you other problems or you're having trouble changing its settings, getting help from a technical support team can save you time and avoid unnecessary changes to your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the screen saver in Windows?

Search for Change screen saver from Windows Search and open the Screen Saver Settings window. From there, select your preferred option, set the waiting time and click Apply followed by OK.

How do I enable screen saver in Windows 11?

Press Windows + S, search for Change screen saver, and open the result. Select a screen saver, choose how many minutes Windows should wait before starting it, and save your changes.

Where can I find Windows screen saver settings?

The quickest way is to search for Change screen saver in Windows Search. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both provide access to the traditional Screen Saver Settings window through this option.

Can I use my own photos as a screen saver?

Yes. Select Photos from the available screen saver options and open Settings. You can then choose the folder containing the pictures you want Windows to display.

Why is my screen saver not starting?

Check that a screen saver has been selected and that the Wait time is not set too high. Also check your mouse, keyboard and other connected devices, as unexpected activity can prevent the screen saver from starting.