How to Configure a Google Photo Screensaver

Create a screensaver that friends will come over to watch.

Screensavers are as unique as the computer owners who display them. Download new screensavers, create your own or try Google's free screensaver program. Google Photo Screensaver, included with the Picasa image-editing program, allows you to unleash your creativity and transform your desktop into a digital slideshow complete with movie-style transition effects. Configure the screensaver to include images from your hard drive as well as photos from Internet photo feeds and your online Picasa Web albums.

Instructions

Install Picasa

1. Proceed to the next section if you already installed Picasa.

2. Visit the Google website (see Resource) and click "Download Picasa."

3. Double-click the downloaded file to start the installation wizard. Follow the steps as the wizard guides you through the installation process. Put a check mark next to "Start Picassa after installation." When the installation finishes, Picasa will open and display a welcome screen.

4. Click "Only search my Documents, My Pictures, and the Desktop" if all your photos exist in those locations. Otherwise, click "Search my whole computer for pictures." Click "Continue" and then "Finish." Click "File" and select "Exit" to exit the program.

Open Settings Panel

1. Click the Windows "Start" menu and type "Picasa." Press "Enter" to open the program.

2. Click "Tools" and select "Configure Screen Saver." The "Screen Saver Settings" window will open.

3. Click "Settings." Picasa will display the "Google Photos Screensaver" settings window. The top of the window contains a drop-down box containing visual effects. The bottom of the window displays configuration options for Picasa, web albums, folders and photos from public sites.

Configure Display Options

1. Click the "Visual Effect" drop-down box and select a visual effect. A video thumbnail to the left of the box will display a preview of the effect.

2. Put a check mark in the "Show Captions" text box to display captions with the images.

3. Click the slider under "Visual Effect" and drag it to the left or right to change the duration of each image in the slideshow.

Configure Photo Sources

1. Click the "Configure" button next to "Picasa" and put a check mark next to the Picasa Images that you want to include. These options include "Display pictures from my Screensaver album" and "Display All of My Starred Photos." Click "OK" to apply the changes.

2. Click the "Configure" button next to "Web Albums" and select the web albums that you want to use as image sources. Click "OK" to apply the changes.

3. Click the "Configure" button next to "Specific Folders on My Hard Drive" and click "Add Folder" to display folders on your hard drive. Select folders containing images that you want to include in the screensaver. Click "OK" to apply the changes.

4. Click "Photos from Public Sites" and then click "Configure." Enter a photo feed source in the text box and click "Add." Click "OK" to apply the changes.

References

• Google Picasa: Setting Up Google Photos Screensaver
• Google Picasa: Adding Pictures to Screensaver
• Google Picasa: Photo Feeds From Public Sites

Resources

• Google Picasa