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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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.

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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
    2017-07-13T04:04:54+00:00

    Jimmy, I know this is over a year old, but I just followed the steps in your tutorial to get this working on my computer and it worked perfectly. Thanks for posting that here. I noticed from your screenshots that you seem to have a unique UI setup, did you do that yourself? I wouldn't mind a tutorial to set something like that up 😅

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-02-18T22:36:12+00:00

    A RIDICULOUS feature.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-02-15T17:23:13+00:00

    Thanks :) it works fine but is there any option to change the period of idle? (4 min) ...Even though I tried to change it in task settings it still waits for 4 min to launch the screensaver :/

    try my long solution, you able to record windows scr show event and call task on it;

    "

    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;

    "

    read my above full post if interest;

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