How to Add Your Own Screensaver to Windows XP

Add your own screensaver to Windows XP if you don't like the pre-installed options.

Windows XP comes with a very limited variety of screensaver options. Users who don't want to see some geometric color display bouncing across their screen may wish to add their own screensaver, either one they created or one they downloaded online. This can seem difficult, but it is mostly a matter of getting the screensaver in the right folder.

Instructions

1. Put your screensaver file into the following folder: C:\Windows\System32\.

2. Right-click anywhere on the computer's desktop and select "Properties."

3. Click the "Screen Saver" tab.

4. Select your screensaver from the drop-down box, then click "Preview."

5. Click the "Settings" button to change anything about the display. What options are available depends on the screensaver.

6. Choose the number of minutes you would like the computer to wait to start the screensaver when it is not in use. A good number for most users is 10 to 15 minutes.

7. Click "OK" and restart your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure there are no spaces in the screensaver file name and be sure it ends in ".scr" (no quotes).

References

• Windows XP: Set Up Your Screensaver

Resources

• 3D Screensaver Downloads
• Free Screensavers
• Scenic Reflections Screensavers