Downloading and Installing iScreensaver

Simple to try.

iScreensaver is always available for download from our website at https://iScreensaver.com. Once installed, all the screensaver functions are completely useable, even if the software has not yet been purchased or registered. However, screensavers created with unpaid and unregistered versions of iScreensaver are watermarked, as described above. Visit our store anytime to upgrade your license of iScreensaver and remove watermarks from your screensaver projects.

To install iScreensaver:

  1. Visit our download page at https://iscreensaver.com/downloads.shtml and choose your operating platform.
  2. Run the iScreensaver Installer; then follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. Read the (all-important) licensing agreements and select an install location. To give access to all users of the machine, save iScreensaver to your Applications folder. If you wish to restrict use to a single user, then save to a location within your User's folder.


System Requirements


For Screensaver operation:

For Authoring Screensavers with iScreensaver Designer:

Important: We strive for maximum compatability, but can not guarantee operation on any particular system. Please use our free download to make sure the software meets your needs before you purchase.


For Screensaver operation:

For Authoring Screensavers with iScreensaver Designer:


Upgrading from iScreensaver Designer 3, 4, or 5

There have been numerous file format changes since version 4, and even further changes since version 5.

If you open an older project in version 6, iScreensaver will transfer the old project to a new project file and add a version number to the new name. The new version will do its best to open and correctly arrange an older project, however make sure to re-visit each of your items and settings to verify their new status. Previously locked alternate sequences will be concatentated to a single sequence.

If you wish to continue to use your older projects for older platforms, we recommend that you do not save over them with the same name.

iScreensaver Designer 3, 4, and 5 will require older hardware with their older operating systems than iScreensaver Designer 6.

The Authoring system versus The End User systems

The Authoring System: The computer on which you, as the author of a screensaver, design and assemble your screensaver using iScreensaver Designer.

The End User System: The computers used by your intended audience to view the screensavers you create.

The technical specifications for authoring systems are stronger than the technical specifications for the end users' system.

Differences within Platforms

Any direct comparison between the Macintosh and Windows versions of iScreensaver will reveal slight differences, including system fonts, text leading and kerning, captions, large icons, timing, and various versions of external plugins. Such variations are unavoidable in cross-platform software, however, we have made every attempt to minimize these differences and unify the user experience.

Using iScreensaver, you can design and assemble screensavers on Macintosh, and then run the resulting screensavers on Windows systems - and vice-versa. However, we encourage you to test the screensavers you design on as many actual machines as possible before distributing your screensaver to your end users. Variations are more than possible.

System Fonts

Your available font choices are dependent upon your authoring system's fonts. Non-standard system font settings and sizes are possible on the end user's machines.

Leading and Kerning

The system fonts display slightly differently on the different platforms. While we've attempted to approximate within iScreensaver, we recommend reviewing the final installers on each platform.


All text overlays will be converted to artwork during the build process, so what is seen on the authoring system is exactly what is seen on the end user's machine, no matter the platform. No fonts are included within the installers, and any fonts used within captions do not need to be present in your end user's machines.


You can import artwork as large as 512x512 pixels for use as icons, on Macintosh. However, Windows icons are limited to 256x256 pixels as their largest size with the self-extracting EXE installer limited to 48x48 pixels, and can only save 128x128 pixel sizes for its Mac Screensavers. iScreensaver will automatically size down your full artwork to the appropriate and largest size it can, on whichever platform authored.


Different memory, different processors, different hardware specifications, different software extensions - all these factors can slightly vary durations and timings both amongst similar computer models and between the differing platforms.

Please note that it is generally not possible to synchronize a video presentation closely with an audio track within iScreensaver. If audio+video syncing is important for your presentation, it is advisable to use third-party software (e.g. - iMovie, Final Cut Pro, or other third-party solution) to create a movie file with synced audio (although this may dramatically increase file sizes).

Be broad in your estimates, and forgiving in your timelines.

Compressed Installers

Both the finished Macintosh .zip file and the Windows .exe file, both created on either platform, are simple-to-decompress, single-file single-click steps for your end user.

Dark Modes

With both Windows and macOS introducing Dark modes, iScreensaver will primarily support the darker tone.

External plugins

Inevitably, there could be some differences in multi-platform versions of other third-party software, as well as with many video drivers. Those differences may be major, minor, or not problematic at all. Make sure to check with third-party websites for up-to-date information about their products.

Optimizing Performance

Many factors can interrupt a smooth flowing authoring system. Here are a few random guesses we can make and opinions we can offer.

Troubleshooting the Installation

There's usually nothing better for the installation blues than a complete system restart with a fresh download and reinstallation of the software.

See Appendix B: Troubleshooting, for more information and second-guessing.

Uninstalling iScreensaver

It is just as simple to remove iScreensaver from your drive as it was to install, in case you were not satisfied with it, or perhaps, sad about keeping it. We don't mind.

To uninstall iScreensaver Designer:


  1. Open the Remove Programs' control panel.
  2. Select iScreensaver Designer from the list.
  3. Select 'Uninstall' at the top of the control panel.

Mac OS X:

  1. Open your Applications folder, or the location where you saved iScreensaver, and find the application.
  2. Drag iScreensaver Designer to the trash can.
  3. Empty the trash.

Uninstalling Screensavers

We have two ways - easy and hard. But both are pretty simple.

To remove a screensaver the easy way (automatically):


  1. Using the right mouse button, click the desktop. From the popup menu, choose "Personalization" or "Properties".
  2. Click the "Screen Saver" tab.
  3. Click the "Settings..." button.
  4. Choose the gear icon, or "Options" tab.
  5. Click the "Uninstall" button.
  6. Follow the instructions for "Remove Programs" within Windows.

Mac OS X:

  1. From the Apple menu (at the top left of your screen) choose "System Preferences".
  2. Select "Desktop & Screen Saver".
  3. Click the "Options" button.
  5. Click the "Uninstall" button.

To remove a screensaver the hard way (manually):

Please visit: Manually Uninstalling iScreensavers.

To remove screensavers made with previous versions of iScreensaver:

For screensavers made with iScreensaver Designer 3.5 or earlier, please visit our legacy support pages for further instructions.

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