Member Avatar for flyerorange

Hello....nothing serious, just a question. I just got a new computer w/ Windows XP Home. Everything is great about it. Last night, I was fooling around with downloading some wallpaper and screensavers. I got some wallpaper that seemed to make the computer act funny, so I wanted to get rid of it. I went to Control Panel...add/remove programs. There was a Screensaver Installer on the list. I wanted to see what it was, and clicked on it to see what changes could be made. Without the computer prompting me, it removed the program immediately.

My question....am I correct to assume that this said file did not come with my computer, and that I created it when downloading? Or, is it something important that I need back?

I'd appreciate any help on this non-urgent matter. Thanks! :o

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by nanosani

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For : this almost certainly came from the package that was downloaded rather than from Windows itself. Built-in Windows screensavers are simple .scr files stored under C:\Windows\System32; they do not install themselves via an "Installer" entry in Add/Remove Programs. Third‑party screensaver packages often add an uninstall entry, and clicking Remove/Uninstall will run that uninstaller—sometimes with very little prompting—so the package can disappear immediately.

Useful checks and recovery steps:

  • Open Display Properties (right‑click Desktop -> Properties -> Screen Saver tab) and look in the drop‑down for the name of the screensaver.
  • Search the hard drive for *.scr (Start -> Search -> Files and Folders) and inspect C:\Windows\System32 and any folders under C:\Program Files for related files.
  • If the program is wanted again, reinstall from the original, reputable source. If the goal is to undo the uninstall, use System Restore (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore) to pick a restore point from before the install/uninstall—note this rolls back system files and registry entries and can affect other software.

Security notes and best practices:

  • If the system acted “funny” after the download, run a full antivirus and anti‑malware scan (use up‑to‑date signatures and a reputable scanner).
  • Avoid screensaver installers from unknown sites; prefer plain image files for wallpapers or signed .scr files from trusted vendors.
  • As and implied, this is most likely a removable third‑party add‑on rather than a core Windows component, but a quick scan and the checks above will confirm it.

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Member Avatar for tayspen

Hello....nothing serious, just a question. I just got a new computer w/ Windows XP Home. Everything is great about it. Last night, I was fooling around with downloading some wallpaper and screensavers. I got some wallpaper that seemed to make the computer act funny, so I wanted to get rid of it. I went to Control Panel...add/remove programs. There was a Screensaver Installer on the list. I wanted to see what it was, and clicked on it to see what changes could be made. Without the computer prompting me, it removed the program immediately.

My question....am I correct to assume that this said file did not come with my computer, and that I created it when downloading? Or, is it something important that I need back?

I'd appreciate any help on this non-urgent matter. Thanks! :o

Yes, there is no screen saver installer on windows. as far as i no.

Member Avatar for nanosani

Yeah .. seems like its not that important for you to get it back ... just a screen saver you had installed for fun.

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