How to Add Classic XP Screensavers to Windows 11

Do you remember the good old days of Windows 95 or XP? Windows 95 was an important time for Microsoft's OS and established the Start menu as a reoccurring feature in future versions. Meanwhile, Windows XP was one of the best Windows platforms ever that retains a loyal user base to this day.

Windows 95 and XP had a series of classic Microsoft screensavers. And while screensavers are somewhat redundant these days, they’re still nice decorations for idle PCs. Here is how you can restore the classic Windows 95/XP screensavers in Windows 11.

1. Download and Extract the Classic XP Screensaver ZIP Archive

To add XP screensavers to Windows 11, you’ll need to download and extract a ZIP archive that includes them. The ZIP archive contains 10 screensavers from the Windows 95-XP era. You can download and extract the classic XP screensaver package as follows.

Open the Windows XP and 98 Screensavers page in a browser.

Click ZIP on the right of the page to download the screensaver pack.

Double-click the Windows XP and 98 Screensavers ZIP package to open it.

Click the Extract all button to bring up an Extract Compressed window.

Select Browse to choose a folder location for the extracted ZIP (or you can stick with the default path).

Click the checkbox for the Show extracted files when complete setting.

Select the Extract option.

2. Copy the Screensavers Into the System32 Folder

Next, you’ll need to copy the files in the extracted Windows XP and 98 Screensaver pack into the System32 folder. Windows 11 already includes three of the screensavers from that pack. However, there are several new ones there you can add. These are the seven new ones you can add:

3D Maze
3D Pipes
Flying Windows
Starfield
Marque
3D Flower Box
3D Flying Objects

You can copy and paste those files within File Explorer. Note that you’ll also need to be logged in to an administrator account to copy those screensavers to the System32 folder. This is how you can copy those screensavers into the System32 folder.

Select a screensaver file to copy within the extracted Windows XP and 98 Screensaver folder. Alternatively, you can select multiple screensaver files to copy by pressing and holding the Ctrl key.

Then press the Ctrl + C hotkey to copy them. Or you can right-click and select Copy on the context menu.

Next, open the C: > Windows > System32 folder within File Explorer.

Right-click within the System32 folder and select Show more options.

Select the Paste option to copy the screensavers into that folder.

3. Check Out Your New XP Screensavers

Now it’s time to check out your new XP screensavers in Windows 11! Those screensavers will be available within the Screen Saver Settings window. You can open that window to apply those screensavers as follows.

First, you’ll need to bring up the search tool with Win + S.

Type the keyword screensaver in the search box.

Click the Change screensaver search result to open the window directly below.

Now click the drop-down menu there to select one of your new XP screensavers (the 3D Maze one comes recommended).

Press the Preview button to see what the screensaver is like.

You can further configure your selected screensaver by clicking the Settings button. Adjust the options on the separate settings window that opens according to your preference, and click the OK button.

Choose a waiting period of about 5-10 minutes for the screensaver to come on.

Click Apply to save the new screensaver settings.

Press the OK button to exit the screensaver window.

Sit back and wait for your chosen XP screensaver to come on.

Revive the Classic XP Screensavers in Windows 11

Restoring those classic Windows 95/98/XP screensavers in the big M’s latest desktop platform will give you a blast from the past. They might be old screensavers, but they still have some nice effects. So, check them out to revive some nostalgia from the good old days of Windows on your desktop or laptop.

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Jenniffer Sheldon

Update: 2024-05-07

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