How to Install Screensavers

Level of difficulty: Easy

A screensaver is an application launched whenever your computer is idle. The idle mode means that the mouse and keyboard are not accessed, for five minutes or more (this, of course, depends on your preferred settings). It was originally designed to prevent monitor damage in old models of computers when it left on for long periods. At present, now that this problem is no longer heard of in computer monitors, the main purpose of a screensaver is to provide entertaining graphics when the computer is idle. Installing screensavers may be done in several ways, mostly depending on the installation package the screensaver file comes in.

Materials Needed:
- Computer
- Windows OS
- Internet connection (optional)
- Portable storage device (CD
- DVD
- floppy disk
- thumb drive
- etc.)
Step 1
Most screensavers can now be downloaded from the Internet, so just search for the screensaver of your choice and download it. If it is to come from a portable storage device, load the device.
Step 2
Use an anti-virus application to examine the screensaver installation file before launching it. Some screensaver installers may come packaged with adware or spyware. These are applications bundled together with your screensaver and are installed simultaneously in your system. These programs may record your Internet activity with the aim of providing advertisements without your consent. Proceed with installation once you have determined that the file is clean.
Step 3
The first form that your screensaver installation file may come in is as a self-extracting package. This is the easiest to install since everything is basically done for you. Just click on the file and follow the instructions.
Step 4
Another form of the screensaver installation file is that it comes as a .scr file. This type needs to be moved into a different location for it to be visible in the list of screensavers in the system. All that needs to be done is to drag the '.scr' file into the Windows folder. This folder is usually located in drive C: of the computer.
Step 5
After installing the file either by self-extraction or through moving the .scr file, you may now proceed to running the newly-installed application.
Step 6
The screensaver may be executed by right-clicking on any icon-less spot on the desktop. This will bring out a menu. Click 'Properties'. Select 'screensaver' on the window that will appear. This will bring you to another window and from here; you can choose the screensaver you have just installed. Still on the same window, you can select 'Preview' to view the screensaver. Click on any key or move the mouse to bring you back to the previous display. Select 'Apply' and then 'OK'. Your newly-installed screensaver will now run whenever your computer is idle.