How to Allow or Prevent Changing Screen Saver in Windows 7 and Windows 8

   Information
This will show you how to allow or prevent all or specific users on the computer to add, configure, or change the current screen saver in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

This does not prevent a screen saver from running.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.


EXAMPLE: Screen Saver in Personalization
NOTE: This is Screen Saver changes allowed (left screenshot below) and prevented (right screenshot below) in Personalization.
Screen Saver - Allow or Prevent Changing-allowed.jpgScreen Saver - Allow or Prevent Changing-prevented.jpg



OPTION ONE

Allow or Prevent Changing Screen Saver using a REG File Download


1. To Allow Changing Screen Saver for All Users
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.
Allow_Changing_Screen_Saver.reg
2. To Prevent Changing Screen Saver for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.
Prevent_Changing_Screen_Saver.reg
3. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to completely apply.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.





OPTION TWO

Allow or Prevent Changing Screen Saver using Group Policy Editor


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)
Screen Saver - Allow or Prevent Changing-group_policy.jpg
3. In the right pane, double click/tap on Prevent changing screen saver to edit it. (See screenshot above)

4. To Allow Changing Screen Saver
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Prevent Changing Screen Saver
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
6. Click/tap on OK. (See screenshot below)
Screen Saver - Allow or Prevent Changing-edit.jpg
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
That's it,
Shawn






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