If the screen saver includes any unique options, there will be a button to open its configuration window.Īs mentioned above, Quartz files are usually just the screen saver animation, so the installation method is different. You’ll then find the new screen saver in System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > Screen Saver. System Preferences will launch and ask you if you’d like the screen saver to be installed for just the current user or for all user accounts on the Mac. saver screen saver file, all you generally need to do is double-click it. saver files is usually the same, but how you install each type differs. saver files are a package containing a quartz animation, previews, and configuration GUI. Quartz files are typically (although not always) just the screen saver animation itself, while. These two types aren’t necessarily distinct, they’re just different methods of delivering an animated screen saver. In general, you’ll be dealing with two primary types of screen savers in OS X: Screen Saver (.saver) files and Quartz compositions (.qtz) files. Here’s how to install screen savers in OS X.

Unfortunately, many of our favorite screen savers are no longer compatible with the latest versions of OS X, but there are some screen savers and methods that are still worth experimenting with. But some users still have fond memories of the creative screen savers of decades past, and want to know how to install new screen savers on their modern Macs.

How to Find & Install Screen Savers in OS XĪdvancements in display technology that lower the chance of burn-in, coupled with energy saving settings that turn our displays off just minutes after we step away from the computer, have greatly reduced the need for, and usage of, screen savers in recent years.

Mac screen saver file