[bnfmsgeek]

Hi all...
I was messing around today and discovered a way to run any program as a screensaver. I know it works with XP and Windows '95 (in a virtual machine), so I'm asuming it works with all versions of Windows (except possibly vista). These instructions are for XP, though it isn't hard to port it to other versions of windows.

1. Goto My Computer>Tools>Folder Options>View> and uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types"
2. Hit "Apply to All Folders" and hit "OK"
3. Go to the programs EXE file (i.e. not shortcut, usually under C:\program files\<Program or company name>
4. Right click and select "Copy"
5. Goto C:\windows\system32\
6. Paste the program
7. Rename it, adding ".scr" to the end
8. Click "Yes" on the next box telling you if you change the extension it may become unusable. It will not become unusable.
9. Right click on the desktop>properties and go to "screen saver"
10. You should find "copy of 'x' " in the Screen Saver list. (where "x" is your program)
Your program will open once or several times. Windows is trying to show the "Screensaver" in the display, but since its a program it can't and just opens it, so just close it.
11. Click "OK"

You're done!
Next time your screensaver kicks in, it'll be your program instead!

Note:
Other people may have discovered this also, however I found this out on my own and don't know if its out there anywhere. I did not copy this from a website.

I know its kinda pointless, but somebody may need to use it!

Hope You Enjoy,
bnfmsgeek

Edit:
OMG, this is my 101st post! I've posted over 100 times?

[kaaos]

why would you want to run a program as a screen saver? what program do you use as the screen saver?

[Stoner]

But every time you move your mouse or hit a key, wouldn't the program end?
If so what's the point if you can't input into that program?

[kaaos]

Originally Posted by Stoner

But every time you move your mouse or hit a key, wouldn't the program end?
If so what's the point if you can't input into that program?

kinda of what i was thinking.


to mess with a co-worker here i used a "windows blue screen of death error page" as his screen saver to pop up every 10 minutes. he kept calling tech support...lol


"I keep getting a blue screen but it goes away when i move my mouse" .....lol

[valis]

Originally Posted by kaaos

kinda of what i was thinking.


to mess with a co-worker here i used a "windows blue screen of death error page" as his screen saver to pop up every 10 minutes. he kept calling tech support...lol


"I keep getting a blue screen but it goes away when i move my mouse" .....lol

that's a good one....giong to have to use that one....we got some kid here who thinks he is the bee's knees, so one day he left his pc unguarded, *someone* right click, arrange icons by, untick 'show desktop icons'.

I wished he would've asked me before reformatting.

[kaaos]

Originally Posted by valis

that's a good one....giong to have to use that one....we got some kid here who thinks he is the bee's knees, so one day he left his pc unguarded, *someone* right click, arrange icons by, untick 'show desktop icons'.

I wished he would've asked me before reformatting.

lol

a cool add on to yours is

go to desk top and use the print screen button to take a sanp shot the convert to jpeg and use as screen saver

turn on saver every say 1 minute so the screen saver will activate with a picure of the icons then when he or she moves the mouse it will seem like his icons disapear .....but reapear a minute later...

[bnfmsgeek]

No actually the program stays open when you move the mouse. I don't know why anyone would want to but figured somebody might want to, so I posted it here rather than keep it to myself.

[RoBe]

just press f11 if you want it to be a screensaver. You're just putting it full screen

[Kenny94]

1. Goto My Computer>Tools>Folder Options>View> and uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types"
2. Hit "Apply to All Folders" and hit "OK"

You should enable hidden files and folders after you're done.

I'll give this (screensaver Easter Egg) a spin sometime today.
Thanks!

[ferrija1]

I should give that a try...

Another prank: Take a screen shot, set it as the desktop background (after pasting it in Paint and saving it...), then check Disable Desktop Icons (in the right click context menu), unlock the taskbar, and make it as small as you can.

[DaveBurnett]

Using any program as a screen saver is nothing new. Even Microsoft documents it.
There is nothing special about screen savers, they are (as you have discovered) just a plain exe with the extension changed to scr.
The most common use of this is to use a slide show program and change it to a screen saver.

[bnfmsgeek]

Originally Posted by ferrija1

I should give that a try...

Another prank: Take a screen shot, set it as the desktop background (after pasting it in Paint and saving it...), then check Disable Desktop Icons (in the right click context menu), unlock the taskbar, and make it as small as you can.

LOL..... I'll have to remember that for April Fools Day!