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Windows 11 still supports traditional screen savers. You can install a custom .scr file, select it in the classic Screen Saver Settings dialog, and choose how long Windows waits before starting it.
A screen saver is separate from the lock screen, display timeout, and sleep settings. The methods below cover custom .scr files, photo slideshows, video limitations, and the most common reasons a screen saver does not start or disappears after a restart.
Before installing a custom screen saver
A conventional Windows screen saver is an executable program that uses the .scr filename extension. Renaming an ordinary MP4, image, or other file to .scr does not turn it into a screen saver.
Because a .scr file is executable software, treat it like an .exe download:
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- Download it only from a publisher or site you trust.
- Scan the file with Windows Security or Microsoft Defender before opening or installing it.
- Do not assume that a file is safe because it has a screen-saver extension.
- Check whether the screen saver supports Windows 11 and whether it has a Settings button.
Open Screen Saver Settings in Windows 11
Windows 11 hides this control in the modern Settings app, but the classic dialog is still available. Use any of these methods.
From Personalization
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select Personalize.
- Select Lock screen.
- Scroll down and select Screen saver.
This opens the classic Screen Saver Settings dialog.
With Windows Search
- Select Start.
- Type
screen saver. - Select Change screen saver.
With the Run command
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter this command exactly:
control desk.cpl,,@screensaver- Press Enter.
The dialog includes the Screen saver drop-down, Settings, Preview, the Wait field, the On resume, display logon screen option, and the Apply and OK buttons.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesInstall a custom .scr screen saver
- Download the screen saver and scan the file with Windows Security.
- Open File Explorer and browse to the downloaded
.scrfile. - Right-click the file.
- Select Install. If you do not see it in the compact Windows 11 menu, select Show more options, then select Install.
Windows should open Screen Saver Settings and select the installed screen saver. If that does not happen, open the dialog yourself using Search or the Run command above, then select the file manually from the drop-down.
Select and activate the custom screen saver
- Open Screen Saver Settings.
- Open the Screen saver drop-down.
- Select your custom screen saver.
- Select Settings, if the screen saver provides configurable options.
- Select Preview to test it immediately. Move the mouse or press a key to exit the preview.
- Set Wait to the number of minutes Windows should remain idle before starting it.
- Optionally enable On resume, display logon screen if you want Windows to require sign-in after the screen saver ends.
- Select Apply, then select OK.
For example, a 10-minute Wait value means the screen saver starts after approximately 10 minutes without keyboard or mouse activity, provided another power setting does not turn off the display first.
Use your photos as a screen saver
You do not need to install a third-party .scr file for a basic photo slideshow. Windows 11 includes a built-in Photos screen saver.
- Open Screen Saver Settings.
- Select Photos in the Screen saver drop-down.
- Select Settings.
- Select Browse and choose the folder containing your pictures.
- Choose a slideshow speed: Slow, Medium, or Fast.
- Enable Shuffle pictures if you do not want the images shown in filename order.
- Select Save.
- Set the Wait time in the main Screen Saver Settings dialog, then select Apply and OK.
The Photos screen saver handles image files. It does not play MP4, MOV, or other video files. Playing video while the computer is idle requires a third-party screen saver or another application specifically designed for video playback.
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Make sure power settings do not prevent it from appearing
Screen savers, display timeout, and sleep are separate mechanisms. A screen saver might be configured correctly but never become visible if Windows turns the display off first.
- Open Settings.
- Go to System → Power & battery.
- Expand Screen and sleep.
- Check the time under options such as Turn my screen off after.
Set the display-off time longer than the screen-saver Wait value while testing. For example, if the screen saver waits 15 minutes but the display turns off after five minutes, the screen saver may never be visible.
What to check if the custom screen saver disappears
A custom screen saver can stop being selected after a restart if its file was deleted, quarantined, moved, renamed, or blocked by security software. Compatibility problems and third-party installation tools can also interfere.
Confirm that the file still exists
Return to the folder where you installed or downloaded the screen saver. If the file is missing, check Windows Security’s protection history. A security product may have quarantined it. Do not restore a detection unless you have verified the publisher and file.
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Windows stores the selected screen saver for the current user at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktopThe selected file is recorded in the SCRNSAVE.EXE value. If the value is missing or points to a nonexistent file, Windows may show no selected screen saver or fail to retain the selection.
To inspect it, press Windows key + R, enter regedit, and press Enter. Browse to the key above and check the SCRNSAVE.EXE data. It should contain the correct full path to the screen-saver executable, including the .scr extension.
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Registry changes can affect your user profile, so export the key before editing it. Reinstalling a compatible screen saver and selecting it again in Screen Saver Settings is usually safer than manually changing the value.
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You may see advice to copy a custom file to C:WindowsSystem32. That is not required for every installation and does not guarantee that the screen saver will work. Copying the file does not prove that it is compatible, configurable, persistent, or allowed by security software.
For managed computers, Microsoft’s policy documentation says that a forced screen saver outside %Systemroot%System32 must be specified with its fully qualified path. The file must also actually be installed; simply placing an arbitrary file in that folder is not enough.
Screen saver policies on work or school PCs
An organization can control these settings with Group Policy or device-management policies. The Force specific screen saver policy is located at:
User Configuration → Control Panel → PersonalizationIts registry mapping is:
SoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsControl PanelDesktop
Value: SCRNSAVE.EXEThe policy requires a .scr filename. If the file is outside %Systemroot%System32, the policy must use its full path. If the specified screen saver is not installed, the policy is ignored. When enabled, the policy disables the screen-saver drop-down so users cannot choose another one.
Microsoft lists this policy for Windows 11 version 21H2, build 10.0.22000, and later, on Pro, Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise, and IoT Enterprise LTSC editions.
Two related policies can also affect the result:
| Policy | Effect |
|---|---|
| Enable screen saver | Uses ScreenSaveActive. A valid file alone is insufficient; the screen saver must be enabled and have a nonzero timeout. |
| Prevent changing screen saver | Removes the user’s ability to change screen-saver settings. Its registry value is NoDispScrSavPage under HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem. |
If the screen-saver controls are unavailable or revert on a managed computer, contact the administrator rather than trying to work around the policy.
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Screen saver versus lock screen
These features are related to inactivity but are not the same:
- The screen saver is configured in the classic Screen Saver Settings dialog and displays animation, photos, or another supported visual after a period of inactivity.
- The lock screen is configured separately at Settings → Personalization → Lock screen.
- Display timeout and sleep are configured at Settings → System → Power & battery → Screen and sleep.
Windows 11 has not removed screen savers. It still exposes the classic dialog, supports installed .scr screen savers, and retains policy controls for managed devices.
FAQ
Can I use an MP4 as a Windows 11 screen saver?
Not with the built-in Photos screen saver. It supports images, not video. You need a third-party screen saver or application that specifically supports video playback.
Why does Install not appear when I right-click a .scr file?
Windows 11 may show the compact context menu first. Select Show more options, then select Install.
Is it safe to download a .scr file?
Treat it like an executable program. A .scr file can contain malware, so use a trusted publisher and scan it with Windows Security or Microsoft Defender before installing it.
Why does my screen saver never start?
Check the Wait value and confirm that Settings → System → Power & battery → Screen and sleep does not turn off the display sooner. Also check whether a work or school policy disables or controls screen savers.
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No. A Windows screen saver is an executable program built to operate as a screen saver. Changing a filename extension does not convert another type of file.
How do I force a specific screen saver for users?
On supported managed Windows 11 editions, use User Configuration → Control Panel → Personalization → Force specific screen saver. The policy must reference an installed .scr file and use a full path when the file is outside %Systemroot%System32.
The Bottom Line
To add a custom screen saver, install a genuine and trusted .scr program from File Explorer, open Screen Saver Settings, select it, test it with Preview, set the Wait time, and choose Apply followed by OK. If you only want rotating pictures, use the built-in Photos option instead. When it fails, check display timeout, security software, the file path, and any organization policies.
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