How can I configure a screen saver using a System Policy?

John Savill

March 16, 1999

1 Min Read
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A. Its possible to write your own .adm file (which is what SystemPolicy Editor uses) to create a more flexible Screen Saver policy.

  1. Enter the text below into a text file and save it as Scrsave.adm in the%systemroot%Inf folder

    CLASS USER

    CATEGORY !!Screen_Saver_Policy
      POLICY !!Screen_Saver
      KEYNAME "Control PanelDesktop"
        PART !!Screen_Saver_Location
        EDITTEXT DEFAULT !!DEF_SCREEN_SAVER
        VALUENAME SCRNSAVE.EXE
        END PART
      END POLICY
      POLICY !!ENABLE_SCREEN_SAVER
      KEYNAME "Control PanelDesktop"
        VALUENAME ScreenSaveActive
        VALUEON "1" VALUEOFF "0"
      END POLICY
      POLICY !!ENABLE_Password
      KEYNAME "Control PanelDesktop"
        VALUENAME ScreenSaverIsSecure
        VALUEON "1" VALUEOFF "0"
      END POLICY
    END CATEGORY

    [strings]
    Screen_Saver_Policy="Screen Saver Policies"
    Screen_Saver="Screen Saver"
    ENABLE_SCREEN_SAVER="Enable Screen Saver"
    Screen_Saver_Location="Enter the location of the Screen Saver"
    DEF_Screen_Saver="%SYSTEMROOT%system32logon.scr"
    ENABLE_Password=Enable Password

    Click here to download this in a file.

  2. Open System Policy Editor and click Options and then click Policy Template.

  3. Add Scrsave.adm to the list of template files. If Add is not an option thenyou must already have a policy open so close from the File menu.

  4. The additional options will show under any user or group in the policy,with a label of "Screen Saver Policies."

  5. You would then save this policy as per normal.

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