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
    2016-02-23T08:06:00+00:00

    not bad, but too much steps;

    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 :)

    "

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-06T00:25:20+00:00

    It's a little bit poor of Microsoft to allow outdated advice to run on the latest OS. Even Windows 10 in 2017 shows the cute transparent bubbles during the Preview in Screensaver settings, yet on adoption the Screensaver blanks out the background. This with no front door option to change it. Pretty poor.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-02-23T15:11:29+00:00

    What was the reasoning behind that "design change"?

    "This is not a bug. It's a feature."

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