How to Enable or Disable Logon Screen Saver

Would you like to enable or disable the default Screensaver when logging in? You can do this using a registry tweak for Windows XP based machines. Note that this is for the default screensaver and not for screensaver choices in the Display Properties that you can access by right clicking on the Desktop and selecting Properties.

You should also remember to back-up your registry before implementing any changes. Changes to the registry are irreversible unless you have a back-up at hand. Only then will you be able to restore your registry to the original settings.

To begin this procedure:

  1. Click on Start and go to Run. Enter regedit.
  2. Go to HKEY_USERS. You can find this on the left side of the editor.
  3. Expand the HKEY_USERS folder. You will find DEFAULT.
  4. Expand this folder and go to Control Panel.
  5. Once you are inside Control Panel, go to Desktop.
  6. Look for ScreenSaveActive on the right hand side of the box. If the value is there, perform step seven. If the ScreenSaveActive value is not listed, perform the instructions that immediately follow.
    1. Right click on the right hand side of your box.
    2. Select New and then select String Value.
    3. Rename the new value ScreenSaveActive. You can also opt to rename the new string value by right clicking on the new String Value and then selecting Rename.
  7. Double click on ScreenSaveActive. A new box will appear.
  8. You can choose to enter 0 if you want to disable Logon Screen Saver. To activate Logon Screen Saver enter 1.
  9. Exit the registry and reboot.