To set a screen saver in Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and select Screen saver settings. Choose a screen saver from the list, set Wait to the number of minutes, and select OK.
To turn it off, choose (None) in the same list.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Set a screen saver
- Right-click the desktop and select Personalize, then select Lock screen.
- Scroll down and select Screen saver settings.
- Choose a screen saver, such as Bubbles, Mystify, Photos, or 3D Text.
- Set Wait to how many minutes of inactivity before it starts.
- Select Preview to see it, then select OK.
You can also open this window quickly: press Windows + R, type control desk.cpl,,@screensaver, and press Enter.
Open the screen saver settings faster
- Select Start, type screen saver, and select Change screen saver.
- Or press Windows logo key + R, type
control desk.cpl,,@screensaver, and press Enter.
Customize 3D Text
Select 3D Text, then Settings. You can type your own message or show the time, pick a font, and change the motion, speed and surface style. Select Preview to try it before you save.
Use your own photos
- Choose Photos from the screen saver list.
- Select Settings.
- Select Browse and pick a folder of pictures, then set the Slide show speed.
- Select Save, then OK.
Install a screen saver you downloaded
Screen savers come as .scr files. Scan the file with Windows Security first. Then right-click it and select Install, or Test to preview it. It then appears in the Screen saver list.
Lock your PC when the screen saver starts
Check On resume, display logon screen. When you come back, you’ll need your PIN or password. See how to lock your screen in Windows 10 for other ways to lock.
Turn off the screen saver
- Open Screen saver settings.
- Choose (None) from the list.
- Uncheck On resume, display logon screen if you don’t want the PC to lock, then select OK.
Screen saver or turning off the display?
Modern screens don’t need a screen saver. Turning the display off saves more power. Set this in Settings > System > Power & sleep > Screen. If both are set, the screen saver starts first, then the display turns off.
If the screen saver doesn’t start
- A device keeps it awake: a sensitive mouse or a connected game controller can count as activity.
- Videos and presentations: many apps stop the screen saver while they play.
- Settings are grayed out: on a work or school PC, your organization may control the screen saver.
- Find what keeps the PC awake: open Command Prompt as administrator and type
powercfg /requests. Anything listed under DISPLAY is stopping the screen saver.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the screen saver files?
They’re .scr files in C:\Windows\System32.
Can I download more screen savers?
Yes, but only from sources you trust. A .scr file is a program and can contain malware.
Why does my screen turn black instead?
The Blank screen saver may be selected, or the display may turn off first. Check both settings.
Does a screen saver prevent burn-in?
Most modern LCD screens don’t suffer from burn-in. OLED screens can, and for those, turning the display off after a few minutes protects them better than a moving screen saver.
Will the screen saver stop my PC from sleeping?
No. The sleep timer in Power & sleep still runs. When it’s reached, the PC goes to sleep even if the screen saver is showing.
Can I set a screen saver in Windows 11?
Yes. Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and select Screen saver. The same window opens.
To keep your PC from going to sleep, see how to turn off sleep mode in Windows 10.
For the picture behind the sign-in, see how to change the lock screen in Windows 10. Microsoft’s guide is Configure a screen saver in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
To play your photos full screen right now, see how to view photos as a slideshow in Windows 10.
Related: how to make a slideshow on Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.