Windows 11 Screen Saver Settings: Set Up, Change, or Turn Off

Screen Savers in Windows 11 — Still Here, Mostly Decorative

Screen savers were originally designed to prevent monitor burn-in on old CRT monitors. Modern LCD and OLED displays don't have this issue in normal use, so screen savers are largely decorative today. But they do have one useful role: locking your PC after inactivity.

How to Enable and Configure a Screen Saver

1. Press Win + S and search for Screen saver
2. Click Change screen saver
3. In the dropdown, choose a screen saver: Blank, Bubbles, Mystify, Photos, Ribbons, or 3D Text
4. Set the Wait time — how many minutes of inactivity before it activates
5. Check On resume, display logon screen if you want it to lock your PC when the saver triggers
6. Click OK

Screen Saver as a Lock Mechanism

The "On resume, display logon screen" checkbox is the most useful screen saver setting for modern users. With this enabled, leaving your PC idle triggers the screen saver — and when you return, you must enter your PIN to unlock. An alternative to manual locking (Win + L).

The "Blank" Screen Saver

If you want the screen to go black after a set time without sleeping, set the screen saver to Blank. The screen stays technically on but shows nothing. Less efficient than simply setting a screen timeout.

Should You Use a Screen Saver?

For most users: no. Screen timeout (which turns off the display entirely) is better for energy saving and security. Use "Require sign-in" via: Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → Require sign-in → When PC wakes from sleep.