Initially, screensavers were created to prevent permanent image burn-in on cathode ray tube monitors. Modern displays do not need this kind of protection. This is for two reasons. The technology has no significant risk of burn-in, or the displays have built-in burn-in protection.
This does not mean that screensavers are useless or popular. They are a good security measure, especially if you decide to ask for login information after activating the screensaver. It also hides what is displayed on your screen when you are not using your computer. At least a good splash screen is just nice to look at.
Unfortunately, the collection of screensavers that come with Windows 10 isn’t all that great. So, to help you make your desktop even better, here are 15 cool free screensavers for Windows 10.
Note. We scanned every splash screen with VirusTotal, but you should always check the downloads yourself, because everything changes!
Air shows from Apple TV
If you’ve ever worked with an Apple TV before, then you probably know that it comes with stunning footage that Apple has ordered to use as a screensaver. While these shots look amazing on a large TV, many people won’t mind on small computer screens either.
Unfortunately, Apple is unlikely to make a screensaver for Windows computers anytime soon. Fortunately, the creators of this screensaver found a way to bring these stunning videos to the screen, and the Apple TV Aerial Views screensaver ran flawlessly on our test car’s ultrawide monitor.
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We’re not sure how much of a legal gray area this is, but Apple hasn’t tried to fix it yet. So enjoy while they look the other way.
Blue Screen of Death
This cool screensaver was published back in 2006, but it is still so ironic that it’s a cool and great way to prank someone who isn’t trying to lock their computer away from it. This free screensaver features a series of classic Windows error screens commonly known as the Blue Screen of Death
While this obviously won’t harm your computer in any way, someone else will think the machine has broken down somehow. Just keep in mind that your IT repair technician might have a mild panic attack if you don’t warn them.
Pong Clock
Pong is one of the earliest examples of video games and, like Pacman, is quite iconic. In fact, it’s hard to imagine an era in which this simple rough counterpart of table tennis wasn’t considered retro cool.
The pong clock was created by Mark Wilson for his own amusement, but since he last updated it in 2008, the screensaver has become a classic. It’s a simple concept. At the top of the screen you will see the current time, and below the clock is an endless pong game that you play for your entertainment.
Mark also made sure it was a real screensaver. There are no static pixels at all. Even the pong net shifts slightly to prevent fading. It’s not fancy, but when it comes to cool , Pong watches are very highly rated in our books.
Sim Aquarium
Aquariums are great, but they take a lot of work and are very expensive. You are probably not allowed to be in your office either, so this Sim Aquarium screensaver is perfect for those who love aquatic life.
This is not one of those screensavers that play a video of real fish. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, but this is a real 3D-rendered screensaver, which means you don’t look at the same loop over and over. Of course, you will need a GPU that can handle this task.
In the free version of the screensaver, there are only a few species of fish and one scene, which depicts only the sunlit water surface. If you want to unlock other scenes and views, you will have to pay to unlock them. However, judging by the free content alone, it is more than worth downloading. It’s soothing, beautiful and smooth on the right equipment.
Plane 9
Plane 9 is another cool screensaver that takes advantage of the 3D capabilities of your computer, but no fish. It’s a collection of 250 3D scenes that render whatever sound you listen to. You can also mix scenes and customize the look of the splash screen.
This is usually abstract material that will appeal to people who remember the old days of WinAmp visualizers. It’s great, as something to look at when you’re playing to some music, and maybe just as good for your next house party.
Midnight Beach
There isn’t much to say about Midnight Beach. It is a beautiful scene when the boat is on the beach at night. The water is illuminated by an absolutely gigantic moon as the waves come and go. The concept is simple and the execution is flawless.
However, we had problems with the screensaver on the ultrawide monitor. However, using a regular 1080p screen worked fine.
Polar Clock
This is another clock screensaver, but it’s probably not like anything you’ve ever seen. It uses a set of concentric circles for each timing level. There are units for seconds, minutes, and hours, as you’d expect, as well as for the day of the week, day, and month.
As each circle fills up, it resets and fills up a bit with the next, giving you a colorful and unique view of the passage of time.
Flying Toaster Replica
Back in the early days of Windows, there was a very popular splash pack called After Dark. The most iconic screensaver from this collection is undoubtedly Flying Toasters. This free screensaver is one of the best attempts at recreating this magic. If you have what makes it cool, you will love this cool screensaver.
3D Rubik’s Cube
We’ve all had a Rubik’s cube at some point, but few of us have ever completed one without cheating. If you are still fascinated by this classic toy, this cool screensaver will show a beautiful 3D solution in real time. It’s cool on many levels, and there are a few tricks you can learn.
Endless slideshow
Endless Slideshow has both free and paid versions, but even the free version offers a product that is far superior to the built-in photo slideshow screensaver that comes with Windows 10. You can set it up to retrieve images from the Internet or show your own collection.
You can also tweak the placement of images to fill the space that modern screens offer. It is an indispensable download for anyone looking for a slideshow screensaver.
Back to the future : Time circles
Heavy! What else do we need to say? This is a watch that looks like timelines from DeLorean from Back to the Future. If you don’t think this is the coolest thing, we don’t want to hear about it.
System 47
The computer operating system featured in Star Trek: The Next Generation is called LCARS. It is an iconic sci-fi design that has had a major impact on a generation of interface designers.
The System 47 screensaver is one of the best LCARS screensavers we’ve ever seen, and when wasn’t Start Trek cool?
Doctor of: Tardis 3DÂ
The world is undergoing a Whovian revolution, and what could be more iconic for the franchise than the Tardis, the time-traveling police car that the Doctor uses for transportation? The splash screen contains a very nice render of the Tardis, but also includes stunning footage from the show’s history.
Nyan Cat
Nyan Cat is a meme that has never died, but even if this pastry kitty is no longer a hot topic, it makes a wonderfully colorful (and perhaps ironically) splash screen. Feel the rainbow and let your silly side show up with this beautiful little screensaver.
Electric sheep
Electric Sheep (which is probably a reference to the Philip K. Dick story) is much more than meets the eye. While it might look a bit like a render splash screen like Plane 9 at first, it is actually a community splash screen.
Each of the abstract animations is called a “sheep”. While the screensaver is running, you can vote for or against the sheep using the arrow keys. So, as a group, everyone who uses the screensaver helps the visuals to change and adapt. An artistic design and a practical splash in equal measure, there is something undoubtedly cool about Electric Sheep.
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