A screen saver that displays pictures stops working in Windows

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

To fix this problem, follow these steps:

1. Change the power setting of the computer to "Balanced."
2. Delete any invalid photo shortcuts in the folder and in any subfolders. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your operating system.

Windows XP

• If the SCRNSAVE.EXE registry value is "C:\Windows\system32\ssmypics.scr," locate the ImageDirectory registry value in the following path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Screen Saver.Slideshow
  Browse to the folder that is indicated in the registry value, and then delete any invalid photo shortcuts in the folder and in the subfolders.
• If the SCRNSAVE.EXE registry value is "C:\Windows\wlxpgss.scr," locate the FolderPath registry value in the following path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Photo Gallery\Slideshow\Screensaver
  Browse to the folder that is indicated in the registry value, and then delete any invalid photo shortcuts in the folder and in the subfolders.

Windows Vista

• If the SCRNSAVE.EXE registry value is "C:\Windows\system32\PhotoScreensaver.scr," locate the FolderPath registry value in the following path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\Slideshow\Screensaver
  Browse to the folder that is indicated in the registry value, and then delete any invalid photo shortcuts in the folder and in the subfolders.
• If the SCRNSAVE.EXE registry value is "C:\Windows\wlxpgss.scr," locate the FolderPath registry value in the following path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Photo Gallery\Slideshow\Screensaver
  Browse to the folder that is indicated in the registry value, and then delete any invalid photo shortcuts in the folder and in the subfolders.

Windows 7

• If the SCRNSAVE.EXE registry value is "C:\Windows\wlxpgss.scr," locate the FolderPath registry value in the following path:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Photo Gallery\Slideshow\Screensaver
  Browse to the folder that is indicated in the registry value, and then delete any invalid photo shortcuts in the folder and in the subfolders.
• If the SCRNSAVE.EXE registry value is "C:\Windows\system32\PhotoScreensaver.scr," no action can be taken because the SCRNSAVE.EXE registry value is encrypted.

After you install the hotfix, you may lose any customized power settings.