Windows 7 - Screen Saver - Specify a Default for All Users

   Information

This will show you how to set or change a specific screen saver of your choice to be used as the default screen saver for all users on the computer with the users also prevented from being able to change the screen saver.

You will have to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.

   Note

Screen Savers that come with Windows 7

Screen Saver	Location (full path)
Bubbles.scr	C:\Windows\System32\Bubbles.scr
Mystify.scr	C:\Windows\System32\Mystify.scr
PhotoScreensaver.scr (Photos)	C:\Windows\System32\PhotoScreensaver.scr
Ribbons.scr	C:\Windows\System32\Ribbons.scr
scrnsave.scr (Blank)	C:\Windows\System32\scrnsave.scr
ssText3d.scr (3D Text)	C:\Windows\System32\ssText3d.scr

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, right click on Force a specific screen saver and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)

4. To Allow Users to Select their own Screen Saver

A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Set a Default Screen Saver for All Users

A) Select (dot) Enabled. (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 a 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)

Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop

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.

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop

5. Close regedit.