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?

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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.

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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."

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-09-17T17:32:15+00:00

    I put a shortcut to the screensaver on my desktop and it works, no more blank screen.  But it doesn't come on automatically, I have to click on the shortcut when I want the bubbles screensaver to start.  But hey, its better than nothing.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-09-13T07:46:43+00:00

    Wow, finally a workaround that works! Thanks!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-09-12T20:09:15+00:00

    I have found a workaround that works on the desktop, although it does not work on the Metro interface. I downloaded the software "Watch4Idle" and set it to execute the screensaver after a certain amount of idle time. Easy.

     

    As always it's us users and other minor companies that have to work to fix these bugs (Oops, I meant design changes) that Microsoft keeps forcing on us.

    I agree, this worked great for me.... downloaded Watch4Idle and set it to run the Bubbles.scr out of the System32 folder and it works fine.  Seems kinda silly that that the preview works within Microsoft's system, but that you can't make it work without downloading third party software.... oh well... at least its working how I want now I guess.

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