Bubbles screensaver has black background

Anonymous
2012-10-26T15:09:27+00:00

In Windows 7, the Bubbles screen saver created bubbles that moved over the top of whatever was on my screen at the time. 

In Windows 8, if I go to the screen saver settings and preview the Bubbles screensaver, it shows the same behavior – bubbles moving over the top of my existing desktop.

But when the Bubbles screensaver actually activates in Windows 8, the bubbles only appear over a background color which I selected.

Is there something wrong with my settings or video drivers?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Email and communications

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-10-26T15:10:02+00:00

There is nothing wrong with your screensaver settings, or your video drivers and system. . 

A design change was made in Windows 8 that prevents screensavers from drawing over an image of the desktop.  Any screensaver that previously drew over the desktop, such as Bubbles, will instead draw over a black background.  The screensaver preview is incorrectly showing Windows 7 behavior.

Was this answer helpful?

200+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-12-01T20:38:41+00:00

That was already answered above by a Microsoft Forum Moderator

"A design change was made in Windows 8 that prevents screensavers from drawing over an image of the desktop. Any screensaver that previously drew over the desktop, such as Bubbles, will instead draw over a black background. The screensaver preview is incorrectly showing Windows 7 behavior."

Was this answer helpful?

70+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

107 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-08-21T11:09:29+00:00

    Updated to win10; try to use that cool scr and found same issue;

    Try to trick ms restriction and found only one very long solution:

    • enable logging of screensaver invoked events;

    here instruction via gpedit: http://superuser.com/questions/538146/run-a-batch-cmd-upon-screensaver

    • now you will able to start other comand or app when screensaver starting;
    • goto C:\Windows\System32
    • copy Bubbles.scr and rename to Bubbles.exe
    • then config task to run C:\Windows\System32\Bubbles.exe with argument /s (administration->taskcheduler)
    • use some windows screensaver and config to use 1 min or more; (or use 'runsarver' with empty options from upper link or create your own empty.exe and rename to .scr and install with right menu, etc)

    Found cool app to customize hidden screensaver features: http://winaero.com/download.php?view.8

    (work with small bugs but work as needed under win10)

    All work fine one cons checkbox to lock PC must be unchecked;

    Maybe later will try to play more with task configs, etc; or will create own app to run Bubbles and on exit lock PC;

    hope people will have fun with my solution :)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-13T19:51:10+00:00

    everything you love or hate about any version of windows can be changed through the group policy editor or the registry editor, such things like desktop widgets, sidebar, windows media center, disabling OneDrive, and so much more. yes you can fix this stupid mistake that Microsoft made to take away so many nice things that previous windows OS had. you can bring anything you want back to windows 8.1 and 10. look into it on YOUTUBE and ask about how to bring back the transparency in the bubbles screen savor, and also the desktop widgets all you need to do is follow the video directions and open the group policy editor. and edit the policy to enable or disable certain function's or behaviors and EYE CANDY that is hidden from the user in new versions of windows.  CHECK THIS OUT!    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=898cvCQC75c

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-13T19:43:08+00:00

    this design change sucks. but you can fix this inside the group policy editor. see youtube for directions.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments