How to Customize Windows 11’s Default Screensavers
Screensavers are no longer necessary since most modern displays are no longer susceptible to screen burn-in. Nevertheless, screensavers are still lovely decorations on your computer monitor when idle; that’s why Windows 11 still has this feature, with five default options.
But how do you customize these default screensavers? Check out the steps below and get yourself a screensaver that reflects your personality and character.
How to Customize Windows 11 3D Text and Photos Screensavers with Screen Saver Settings
The Screen Saver Settings window is where you can set your screensaver. It also has a Settings button that’ll let you customize them. However, 3D Text and Photos are the only default screensavers for which Windows 11 has some built-in settings.
So, here’s how to open Screen Saver Settings to customize and set the 3D Text or Photos screensaver.
ClickingSettingsfor 3D Text will bring up a 3D Text Settings window. There it’s possible to change the screensaver’s text by clicking theCustom Textradio button and inputting different text in the box. Or you can chooseTimeto show a 3D digital clock instead. Press theFontbutton to select a different font and style.
Below are some motion settings you can alter to change how the 3D text rotates. Click theRotation Typedrop-down menu to choose a different rotation style setting. Drag theRotation Barslider’s left and right to change how quickly the text rotates.
Plus, you can change the text’s surface and color style. ClickSold Color>Custom Color>Choose Colorto bring up a palette. Then select a different text color on the palette and selectOK.
To change the texture of the text, you’ll first need to download a BMP texture file from a suitable source (or convert a JPEG file toBitmap image format). Websites like Unsplash, Pixabay, and Freepik have a multitude of texture backgrounds it’s possible to download. Click theTexture>Custom Texturesettings in the 3D Text window. Press theChoose Texturebutton to select your downloaded BMP file.
If you choose the Photos screensaver, clicking itsSettingsbutton will open a window from which you can change the slideshow’s folder and speed. Press theBrowsebutton on that window to select a different image folder. Choose aFast,Medium, orSlowoption on theSlideshowspeeddrop-down. Then clickSaveto apply the settings.
Wait timeandOn resumeare the only options you’re able to change for the Photos and 3D Text screensavers outside the settings windows. Adjust theWait timevalue to set a longer or shorter idle activation time for the screensaver. If you prefer to return to a log-in screen after resuming, select theOn resumeoption.
How to Customize Bubbles, Mystify, and Ribbons with Winaero ScreenSavers Tweaker
Clicking theSettingsbuttons for the Bubbles, Mystify, and Ribbons screensavers in Windows 11 won’t open any options for them. To customize those screensavers, download and launch the freeware Winaero Screensaver Tweaker software. That portable app lets you tweak hidden options for Bubbles, Mystify, and Ribbons in Windows platforms dating back to Vista. This is how you can download and launch Winaero Screensaver Tweaker:
Now you can customize Windows 11’s other default screensavers. However, note that you’ll need to have one of the Bubbles, Mystify, or Ribbons screensavers selected for its customization settings to work. So, choose one of those screensavers if you haven’t already.
Click theBubblestab to view options for customizing that screensaver. There you’re able to change the number of bubbles the screensaver has by dragging the slider on theNumberofSpheresbar. To change the size of the bubbles, drag the slider on theSphere Radiusbar. You can change the force of turbulence (bubble bounce) by dragging the slider on theTurbulence Forcebar.
Below the bars, there are some checkbox settings you enable or disable. SelectingOpaque Bubbleswill display non-transparent bubbles in the screensaver. You can omit the desktop wallpaper from the screensaver by choosing the Don’t useDesktop as Backgroundcheckbox.
Select theRibbonstab to customize that screensaver. There you’re able to reduce or increase the number of ribbons by dragging the slider on theNumber of Ribbonsbar. To make the ribbons broader or narrower, drag theRibbon Widthbar’s slider.
The ribbons blur and fade in the screensaver by default. However, you can change that by deselecting theApply Blur and Fadecheckbox. Then ribbons will fill up the screen without fading away.
To customize Mystify, select that screensaver’s tab. You can increase or reduce the number of lines Mystify has by dragging the slider on theNumber of Linesbar. Drag theLines Widthbar’s slider to set broader or narrower lines.
The Mystify, Bubbles, and Ribbons tabs all includeSpan Multiple Monitorcheckboxes. That setting is enabled by default so that the screensaver extends across multiple monitors. Deselecting that checkbox will display a set screensaver separately on multiple monitors.
You can select to preview all changes you make to screensavers within the software. ClickPlay Previewto see the screensaver in a small thumbnail screen. Or chooseFull Screento see what the customized screensaver looks like in fullscreen mode.
Customize Windows 11’s Screensavers for Better Effect
Even though they’re no longer essential, the default Windows 11 screensavers still look groovy. So, it’s worth setting one of those screensavers to liven up your PC when idle. You can refine their look according to preference by tweaking the customization settings outlined above.
Here’s how to make your own screensavers in Windows.
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