How to Install a Screensaver on My Computer

A screen saver is a simple computer program that displays images or moving objects on a computer screen when the computer is idle for a predetermined amount of time. A screen saver can help prevent screen damage by keeping pixels from displaying the same image for too long. PCs typically come with basic screen savers that will activate automatically, but installing and setting a new screen saver can add personalization to your computer.

Things You'll Need

• Screensaver program
• Unzipping software

Instructions

1. Unzip the screensaver file, if necessary. Some screen savers that you download may be in a zip file format. These files must be unzipped before they can be installed. To unzip a file, double-click on it and your default unzipping software will launch and carry out the process. You can also right-click on a zipped file and choose "Extract Here" to unzip the contents to the current folder.

2. Double-click on the .exe screen saver file install file. Follow any instructions that appear during installation (agree to any license agreements required and click "Next" or "Continue," if necessary) and the screen saver will automatically install on your computer.

3. Click "Start" and then "Control Panel." For Windows XP, click "Display" and then the "Screen Saver" tab; for Windows Vista, click "Personalize" and then "Screen Saver."

4. Click on the drop-down list under "Screen saver" and then choose the new screen saver you installed from the list and click "Apply." You can also click "Preview" to test the screen saver on your screen before applying it.

Tips & Warnings

• Within the screen saver setup window, you can alter the delay time before the screen saver will activate.

• Most computers have several default screen savers from which to choose.

References

• Computer Hope: Computer screen savers
• Microsoft: Set up your screen saver