How to open MS Windows screensaver .scr files
Have you had trouble opening the scr file on your computer? What are scr files? We explain what they are and recommend software that we know will open them.
What is scr file?
Files with scr extension can be most typically found as screensavers for Microsoft Windows operating system. However, never open random .scr files from untrustworthy sources.
MS Windows screensaver description
File extension scr is traditionally used for screensaver in Windows operating systems.
A screensaver is a computer program that has been originally designed to prevent phosphor burn-in on old types of CRT monitors and plasma monitors by blanking their screens or filling them with moving images or patterns when the computer is not in use. Screensavers can be also used to protection of a computer against unwanted visitors and can be configured to require password before returning to desktop.
Screensaver files for Windows are typically stored in the \Windows\System32 directory and are enabled by default, meaning they will start when the computer is inactive for several minutes.
This makes .scr files potentially dangerous and in the past many viruses and other malicious programs used .scr as a gateway to user's computer. So always install screensavers from trusted sources.
How to change screensaver in Windows
To change your screensaver in Microsoft Windows follow these steps:
- On an empty area of your desktop click with your right mouse button
- On the small menu that pops up, select Properties. The Display Properties window will appear
- Select the Screen Saver tab to view the screensaver settings
From the screen saver settings page you can select a different screen saver, adjust the settings of the current screensaver and set the time required before your screensaver will activate. You also have the option of requiring a password to be entered before you can use the computer after the screensaver has been activated.
Suggested software to open scr file
Microsoft Windows
A series of operating systems developed by Microsoft
There are other SCR filename extensions with the same .scr suffix
scr - Atari Jaguar Cinepak film
An scr file extension is related to Cinepak video codec optimized for Atari Jaguar. An scr file stores film encoded by Cinepak codec.
scr - Atari Jaguar compiled MIDI score
An scr file extension is related to the Atari Jaguar a video gaming console. An scr file stores music score.
scr - DivX video
Files with scr extension might also be found as video files in DivX format. One of the many MPEG-4 based video formats.
scr - EAGLE settings
An scr file extension is related to the EAGLE (Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor) a tool for creating PCB schematics. An scr file stores some kind of settings.
scr - Image-Pro Plus macro
An scr file extension is related to the Image-Pro Plus and used for its macro files.
scr - Left 4 Dead game data
An scr file extension is related to the Left 4 Dead, a 3D action shooter computer game. An scr file stores game data.
scr - LocoScript screen font
An scr file extension is related to the LocoScript, a word processor for Amstrad PCW. An scr file stores screen font.
scr - Microsoft Silverlight data
An scr file extension is related to the Microsoft Silverlight framework for various platforms.
scr - Microsoft Word for DOS bitmap image
An scr file extension is related to the Microsoft Word for MS-DOS operating system and used for its bitmap images.
scr - Movie Master Screenplay data
An scr file extension is related to the obsolete software called Movie Master Screenplay replaced by Hollywood Screenplay for Windows.
scr - MS-DOS DEBUG input
An scr file extension is related to the MS-DOS operating system, and used for its DEBUG data.
scr - NovaLogic game dialog script file
The scr file extension is related to computer games developed by NovaLogic. The *.scr file stores dialog script.
scr - Procomm Plus screen snapshot
An scr file extension is related to the Procomm Plus, a terminal emulation software. An scr file stores screen snapshot.
scr - Script
An scr file extension is generally used for script files that are used for automate the execution of tasks in various software.
scr - Statistica scrollsheet file
The scr file extension is related to the Statistica a software developed by Dell. The *.scr file stores scrollsheet data.
scr - Sun Raster bitmap image
An scr file extension is related to the Sun Raster bitmap image developed by Sun Microsystems. An scr file can store bitmaps at a variety of color depths: monochrome, 8-bit gray scale, 256 color with a palette, 24-bit TrueColor or 32-bit TrueColor.
scr - UFO: Enemy Unknown game data
Files with scr file suffix are associated with the UFO: Enemy Unknown. An scr file contains game data.
scr - Wintask uncompiled program
An scr file extension is related to the Wintask, a task automation software for Windows. An scr file contains un-compiled program.
scr - Xpand Rally Extreme player profile file
The scr file extension is related to the Xpand Rally Extreme computer game. The *.scr file stores profile data.
scr - ZX Spectrum standard screen
An scr file extension is related to ZX Spectrum computers. An scr file stores standard screen captured from Spectrum memory.