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 No 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 No 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 No comments

107 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2017-07-20T10:15:34+00:00

    So this means that there is nothing I can do to fix this?!

    if do my steps it will wrapper workaround that start custom tasks at same time as your default scr;

    but keep in mind any scr use resourses, use CPU, use Electricity, etc

    and use resourse of your monitor;

    so it's not screensaver, it's screen and money eater in real life;

    try my option it work fine too;

    you should do more work manual but it will work more close to real scr;

    FYI: instead .vbs: it's possible to copy and rename .scr to .exe and run as simple app with '\s' switch; st TS options as :

    Bubbles.exe

    /s

    %SystemRoot%\system32

    also in most cases 'idle' in task scheduler is not same as option to start screensaver;

    in most cases if you use other apps in background screensaver is able to be invoked, but 'idle' of task scheduler not invoked; so instead idle, better handle screensaver windows events:

    • 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;

    my upper post do same, but without annoying .vbs files, better create .bat or custom app:

    "

    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 :)

    "

    in above cases exists part of C# code that can be used to create custom starter app with more features;

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-07-19T23:30:46+00:00

    So this means that there is nothing I can do to fix this?!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments