Choosing a Screen Saver in Windows 10

A screensaver (or screen saver) is a computer program that blanks the screen or fills it with moving images or patterns when the computer is not in use. Initially designed to prevent phosphor burn-in on CRT and plasma computer monitors (hence the name), screensavers are now used primarily for entertainment, security or to display system status information.

Before the advent of LCD screens, most computer screens were based on cathode ray tubes (CRTs). When the same image is displayed on a CRT screen for long periods, the properties of the exposed areas of phosphor coating on the inside of the screen gradually and permanently change, eventually leading to a darkened shadow or "ghost" image on the screen, called a screen burn-in. Cathode ray televisions, oscilloscopes and other devices that use CRTs are all susceptible to phosphor burn-in, as are plasma displays to some extent.

LCD computer monitors, including the display panels used in laptop computers, are not susceptible to burn-in because the image is not directly produced by phosphors (although they can suffer from a less extreme and usually non-permanent form of image persistence). For these reasons, screensavers today are primarily for decorative/entertainment purposes, or for password protection.


Windows comes with several built-in screen savers. To try one out, follow these steps:

1. Right-click your desktop and choose Personalize.

Windows quickly kicks you over to the Settings app’s Personalization section, neatly open to the Background setting.

2. Click the Lock screen.

3. Click the Screen saver settings.

The Screen Saver Settings window appears.

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4. Click the downward-pointing arrow in the Screen Saver box and select a screen saver.

After choosing a screen saver, click the Preview button for an audition. View as many candidates as you like before making a decision.

Be sure to click the Settings button because some screen savers offer options, letting you specify the speed of a photo slide show, for example.

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5. If desired, add security by selecting the On Resume, Display Logon Screen check box.

This safeguard keeps people from sneaking into your computer while you’re fetching coffee. It makes Windows ask for a password after waking up from screen saver mode.

6. When you’re done setting up your screen saver, click OK.

Windows saves your changes.