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How to Disable the Picture Screen Saver in Windows

Phi Hung VoPhi Hung Vo Oct 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to stop Windows from displaying personal pictures as a screen saver after a period of computer inactivity.

How to Disable the Picture Screen Saver in Windows
Product
Windows
Device & OS
Windows
Scenario
The computer is left inactive for a short period, triggering a personal photo slideshow on the screen.
Observed behavior
Windows automatically launches a picture-based screen saver when the screen and mouse remain untouched for one minute.
Before you start

Ensure you are logged into an administrator account or have the necessary permissions to modify system personalization settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable the Screen Saver via Windows Personalization Settings

The most straightforward way to stop pictures from appearing on your screen is to turn off the screen saver entirely through the Windows Settings menu.

This method disables the screen saver function entirely, preventing the system from automatically triggering a photo slideshow during idle times. Instead, your computer will respect your system power settings and simply turn the display off when required.

1
Open Windows Settings

Press the Windows key + I simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Windows Settings application.

2
Navigate to Lock screen settings

Click on 'Personalization' from the main menu, then select 'Lock screen' from the left-hand navigation pane.

3
Access Screen saver options

Scroll down to the bottom of the Lock screen page and click on the 'Screen saver settings' link.

4
Disable the screen saver

In the Screen Saver Settings window, click the drop-down menu under the 'Screen saver' section and select 'None'.

5
Save changes

Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save your new settings. Your computer will no longer display pictures after a period of inactivity.

Disable the Screen Saver via Windows Personalization Settings
Settings Applied: Your picture screen saver is now disabled. To adjust when your monitor turns black to save energy, you can visit System > Power & sleep settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my pictures still show on the lock screen after disabling the screen saver?

The Windows lock screen background is configured separately from the screen saver. To change the lock screen picture, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, and change the 'Background' dropdown from 'Slideshow' to 'Picture' or 'Windows spotlight'.

How can I change the time it takes for my screen to turn off completely?

To adjust when your screen goes to sleep, open Settings > System > Power & sleep. Under the 'Screen' section, choose your preferred time limit from the drop-down menus for both battery and plugged-in states.

Can I use a different type of screen saver instead of turning it off?

Yes. By following the same steps to reach the Screen Saver Settings window, you can select alternative options like '3D Text', 'Blank', 'Bubbles', or 'Mystify' from the drop-down list instead of choosing 'None'.