How to change Screensaver timeout settings in Windows 11/10

The Screensaver is a cool feature in Windows which lets you display animation or automatically change your wallpaper when you are not using the computer. It can also time out and lock the device when left idle for a long time. However, if the screensaver is turning on a lot earlier than your expectations, then here is how to change ScreenSaver lock screen timeout settings in Windows 11 or Windows 10.

Change ScreenSaver timeout setting in Windows 1/110

In Windows 11/10, the screensaver is usually turned off by default, but if somebody has turned it on for you, here is how to change the timing or disable it. You can change Screensaver lock screen timeout settings in Windows 11/10 using Screensaver Settings, Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.

1. Screensaver Settings
2. Registry Editor
3. Group Policy Editor

The last two options will need administrative privileges, and useful when you want to apply on remote or multiple computers.

1] Change Screensaver time via Settings

1. Open Start menu, and type screen saver.
2. You should see the Change Screen Saver option. Click on it.
3. Here you can change screen saver type, preview, open settings, change wait time, and choose to display lock screen on resume.
4. To change the screensaver timeout setting, increase the wait time from 1 to maybe 15 or anything which works for you.
5. Click ok, and exit.

Read: How to change Lock Screen Timeout Period in Windows 11/10

2] Change Screensaver time via Registry

Open regedit and navigate to the following location:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Here in the right pane, right-click Windows and select > New > Key. Name it Control Panel.

Right-click on this Control Panel and again select > New > Key. Name it Desktop.

Next, click on the Desktop key to highlight it.

Now in the right pane, right click empty space > New > String Value > Type ScreenSaveTimeOut > Enter.

Finally right click ScreenSaveTimeOut > Modify > give it a Value Data in seconds.

3] Change via Group Policy Editor

• Type gpedit.msc in the Run prompt, and hit Enter to open Group Policy Editor
• Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates> Control Panel > Personalization.
• Find a policy with the name “Screen saver timeout.” Double click to open it.
• Enable it, and then add screen timeout in seconds.
• Then Apply, and click OK button.
• Restart the computer.

If you want to disable the screensaver, there is a policy setting with the name — Enable Screen Saver. Choose to disable it.

These are the three ways to change screensaver timeout in Windows.

Now read: How to customize Screensaver in Windows 11/10.