How to Set a Screensaver

Most people stare at a computer screen for several hours a day, whether it is for a full-time job, personal business ventures or leisure activities. Usually that time in front of the computer is broken up by interruptions and other activities, but it isn't good for your computer to turn it off and on several times a day in order to conserve energy while you step away for awhile. Instead, there are systems in place, such as the screensaver, to keep your computer screen from locking up as well as to conserve energy when the computer is on but not in use.

Things You'll Need

• Windows XP or higher

Instructions

Activate Ready-Made Screensavers

1. 

   Click on the Start Menu and select Control Panel (you may need to click on the "open folders" command to view the Control Panel options). Double-click on "Display" and the Display Properties box should pop up.

2. 

   Bring up the Display Properties box in an alternative way by going to your computer desktop---the start view that shows all of your program icons. Right-click on the desktop image (not on an icon) and select "Properties" from the bottom of the menu that appears.

3. Select the Screensaver tab in the Display Properties box. The pull down menu has a variety of screensavers already installed on your computer, such as the Star Field or Windows Logo screensavers. Select a screensaver to see a preview of what it looks like in the Display Box or click the "Preview" button to see it previewed on the full computer screen.

4. Click on the "Settings" button, after selecting your screensaver, to set how fast the screensaver moves. There may be other settings options, depending on the screensaver you choose. Click "OK."

5. Determine how long the computer should be idle before the screensaver comes on by indicating the number of minutes under the "Wait" option. A typical selection is five minutes.

6. Apply the changes by clicking the "Apply" button. Wait for the button to go gray (indicating the changes are active) and then click "OK."

Set Up a Screensaver Using Personal Images

1. Place the digital image files (JPG preferred) that you wish to use for your screensaver in a file folder in a location on your computer that you can easily remember and find.

2. Repeat Section 1, Steps 1 or 2, in order to open the Display Settings box. Select the Screensaver tab.

3. Choose "My Picture Slideshow" from the screensaver pull-down menu and then click on the "Settings" button.

4. Configure your picture slideshow by the options given in the Settings box, such as how often the pictures should change and how big they should be. Under "Use pictures in this folder" select the "Browse" button to locate the folder of images you created in Section 2, Step 1.

5. Click on "OK" in the Settings box and then repeat Section 1, Step 6, to apply the changes to your computer system.

References

• Find out more about creating your own picture screensaver

Resources

• Download free screensavers to use