Screen Saver - Specify a Default for All Users

EXAMPLE: Screen Saver Settings
NOTE: The Screen Saver selectionis grayed out if you specified a default screen saver for all users.




1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, and Personalization. (see screenshot below)
3. In the right pane, double click on Force a specific screen saver to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. To Allow Users to Select their own Screen Saver A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
5. To Set a Default Screen Saver for All Users A) Select (dot) Enabled, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) Under Options, type in the full path of the .scr screen saver file.
NOTE: If the .scr screen saver file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, then you will only need to type in the .scr screen saver file with it's extension included (ex: ssText3d.scr).
6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.



1. Open the Start Menu, and type regedit in the search box and press enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. To Set a Default Screen Saver for All Users A) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

B) In the left pane right click on Windows, and click on New and Key. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If you already have the Control Panel key (step 3C), then skip this step and go to step 3D.

C) Type in Control Panel, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
D) Right click on Control Panel, and click on New and Key. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If you already have the Desktop key (step 3E), then skip this step and go to step 3F.

E) Type in Desktop, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
F) In the right pane of Desktop, right click on an empty space, and click on New and String Value. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If you already have the SCRNSAVE.EXE string value (step 3G), then skip this step and go to step 3H.

G) Type in SCRNSAVE.EXE, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
H) In the right pane of Desktop, right click on SCRNSAVE.EXE, and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

I) Type in the full path of the .scr screen saver file, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the .scr screen saver file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, then you will only need to type in the .scr screen saver file with it's extension included (ex: ssText3d.scr).
J) Go to step 5.
4. To Allow Users to Select their own Screen Saver A) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
B) In the right pane of Desktop, right click on SCRNSAVE.EXE, and click on Delete. (see screenshot above)
C) Click on Yes to approve deletion. (see screenshot below)
D) In regedit, navigate to the location below, and repeat steps 4B and 4C if there is a SCRNSAVE.EXE entry here as well.
5. Close regedit.
That's it,
Shawn