Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • Developer
  • 5G
  • Security
  • Cloud
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Tech & Work
  • Mobility
  • Big Data
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • CES
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • Developer
  • 5G
  • Security
  • Cloud
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Tech & Work
  • Mobility
  • Big Data
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • CES
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
Microsoft

Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

By Nick Heath December 19, 2017, 9:30 AM PST

Image
1
of 112

windows95maze2.jpg
windows95maze2.jpg
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Journey to the past

Journey to the past

The tower PCs of the 1990s may now be landfill, but decades later the screensavers that danced across their screens are still burned into memory.

Whether it’s winged toasters, flying Windows icons or a sprawling network of 3D pipes, the classic screensavers of yesteryear made a lasting impression.

Revisit some of the best-known screensavers from Windows history, dating right back to the very first release of Windows.

Jump to Windows screensavers through the ages:

Windows 1.0

Windows 3.x

Windows 95

Windows 98

windows1afterdark.jpg
windows1afterdark.jpg
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1.0: After Dark

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1.0: After Dark

Berkeley Systems’ After Dark for Windows 1.0 screensaver program was released for PC in March 1991.

The collection of 35 screensavers included the massively popular Flying Toasters.

Image: Greg Shultz
windows1aquatic.jpg
windows1aquatic.jpg
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Aquatic Realm

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Aquatic Realm

Aquatic Realm offers a glimpse of life under the sea, as marine creatures go about their business at the bottom of the ocean.

Image: Greg Shultz
windows1clock.jpg
windows1clock.jpg
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Clocks

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Clocks

In Clocks, three types of clocks float move about the screen showing the current time.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Down the Drain

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Down the Drain

Down the Drain liquefied your desktop and saw it spiral down a drain.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Fade Away

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Fade Away

As the name suggest, Fade Away, made your desktop fade into nothingness.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Flying Toasters

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Flying Toasters

Perhaps the most famous screensaver in the collection, Flying Toasters, saw winged appliances fill your screen alongside slices of toast.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - GeoBounce

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - GeoBounce

GeoBounce let you choose a geometric shape, which would then spin and bounce around the display.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Globe

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Globe

Globe saw a rotating world drift across the display.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - GraphStat

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - GraphStat

One for science junkies, GraphStat, displayed random graphs on the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Gravity

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Gravity

Balls of varying colors bounce across the screen, leaving trails in their wake in Gravity.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Spiral Gyro

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Spiral Gyro

As the name suggests, Spiral Gyro, draws patterns reminiscent of those created by Spyrograph toys.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Logo

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Logo

A simple option, Logo just made an image float across the display. While it defaulted to the After Dark logo, you could choose your own image instead.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1 : After Dark - Magic

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1 : After Dark - Magic

The intricate patterns generated by the Magic screensaver were in a state of constant flux.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1 : After Dark - Messages

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1 : After Dark - Messages

Messages would display text that would float around the screen, with users able to write their own messages or choose from a number of humorous default options.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Mondrian

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Mondrian

As you’d expect, this screensaver transformed your screen into an abstract style reminiscent of the painter Piet Mondrian.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Mountains

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Mountains

3D mountains from a planet of your choice were rendered on screen in Mountains.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Nocturnes

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Nocturnes

This creepy option showed eyes of nocturnal creatures that peered at you out of a black screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Punch Out

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Punch Out

Punch Out decimated your desktop with a hole puncher, complete with optional sound effects.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Puzzle

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Puzzle

Puzzle transformed your desktop into a grid of sliding tiles that randomly shuffle themselves.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Hard Rain

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Hard Rain

These colorful circles radiating outwards represented rain drops hitting the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Rose

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Rose

Rose generated shifting and complex patterns that grew over time.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Satori

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Satori

Tie-dye patterns ebb and flow across the desktop in Satori.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Shapes

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Shapes

This rather plain screensaver saw solid, colored shapes gradually fill the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Spheres

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Spheres

Eye-catching spheres of different colors are rendered one by one in Spheres.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Spotlight

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Spotlight

The Spotlight screensaver blacked out the screen apart from a spotlight that revealed parts of Windows’ desktop.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Starry Night

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Starry Night

Starry Night recreated a city skyline, complete with lights blinking on and off in buildings, red beacons on top of the tallest skyscrapers, and the odd flash of lightning.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Rain Storm

Windows 1: After Dark - Rain Storm

Rain Storm unleashed a torrent of bad weather on screen, with driving rain and lightning.

Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - String Theory

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - String Theory

Dazzling Moire-like patterns dance across the screen in String Theory.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Vertigo

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Vertigo

As these psychedelic spirals and squares balloon outwards they create a vertiginous optical illusion.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Lasers

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Lasers

This simulated laser light show recreated an explosion of light across the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Warp

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Warp

Recreating the effect of engaging warp drive in Star Trek, Warp made stars swirl towards you.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Can of Worms

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Can of Worms

Hungry worms squirm across the screen and nibble away at the desktop.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Wrap Around

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Wrap Around

Similar to String Theory, Wrap Around presented more Moire patterns that twisted across the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 1: After Dark - Zot

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 1: After Dark - Zot

This simple screensaver projected bolts of lightning across the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1 - Flying Windows

Windows 3.1 - Flying Windows

The Flying Windows screensaver was one of several default options with Windows 3.1.

Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1 - Mystify

Windows 3.1 - Mystify

Reminiscent of the Mystify screensaver from After Dark for Windows 1.0, this Windows 3.1 offering bounced a constantly shifting pattern around the screen.

Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1 - Starfield simulation

Image: YouTube/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5TmP_tI5RI

Windows 3.1 - Starfield simulation

The Starfield screensaver simulated flying through a field of stars.

Image: YouTube/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5TmP_tI5RI
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Artist

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Artist

Released in the summer of 1994, After Dark 3.0 offered 28 screensavers, some of which were interactive.

The Artist screensaver, allowed you to choose an image, such as the Windows Splash screen, and a medium, such as Pastel, which would then be drawn on screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Bad Dog

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Bad Dog

Bad Dog!, saw a mischevious canine digging holes, scratching the walls, shedding fur, and even relieving itself in a trash can.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Bet Your Hand

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Bet Your Hand

You Bet Your Head was an interactive trivia game in which animated contestants would be flattened by the MC, a hammer, for wrong answers. To answer the questions yourself, you pressed Caps Lock and chose a numbered answer.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Bug

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Bug

Creepy crawlies swarmed over your desktop in Bugs, steering clear of the Baits Motel

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Clocks 3.0

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Clocks 3.0

Similar to the earlier After Dark screensaver, Clocks 3.0, saw six different timepieces float across the screen displaying the current time.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - DaredevilDan

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - DaredevilDan

Motorcycle stunt man Daredevil Dan raced his bike across the screen while making risky jumps over buses and through flaming hoops, occasionally having to be rescued by an ambulance.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - DOS Shell

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - DOS Shell

An endless list of simulated DOS commands streamed down the page in the DOS Shell screensaver.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Fish Pro

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Fish Pro

In Fish Pro fish and other marine creatures swam back and forth above the seabed.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Flying Toaster Pro

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Flying Toaster Pro

The return of the famous Flying Toasters saw flocks of the home appliances fly across the screen, often performing tricks, while slices of toast soared alongside.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Frost and Fire

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Frost and Fire

Patterns swam outwards from the center of the image in Frost and Fire, as various colors were mixed in.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Guts

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Guts

A oscillating gravitational field pulled random Windows icons every which way as they flew across the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Draw Morph

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Draw Morph

Draw Morph let you choose from various stop motion animated figures, such as Pipecleaner Man, who performed acrobatics while walking across the screen. You could also create your own series of images to be animated.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Nirvana

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Nirvana

Warping patterns had a hypnotic effect in the Nirvana, screensaver.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Nonsense

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Nonsense

Randomly generated sentences filled up the display in the aptly titled Nonsense screensaver.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Photon

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Photon

Another laser light show screensaver, Photon dazzled with its bright patterns.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Puzzle

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Puzzle

Like the first After Dark screensaver, Puzzle rearranged the desktop into a sliding grid of tiles.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Rat Race

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Rat Race

Three rodents raced round a track in Rat Race, with users able to set their skill level, ranging from Drop Out to Professional.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Ray

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Ray

Ray adorned the desktop with colorful, transparent, rotating shapes that drifted across the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Rebound

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Rebound

Hundreds of metal and plastic balls bounce across the screen in Rebound.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Satori

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Satori

More elaborate tie-dye patterns swirled round the screen in the updated Satori.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Slide Show

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Slide Show

As the name suggests, Slide Show presented a carousel of images of your choice.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Warp

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Warp

The Star Trek-inspired Warp! screensaver returned for After Dark 3.0.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Spheres

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Spheres

Another returning screensaver, Spheres fills the display with voluminous, colored balls.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Spotlight

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Spotlight

This time around the Spotlight screensaver illuminates the desktop with multiple spotlights.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: After Dark - Zoom

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: After Dark - Zoom

The mesmerizing Zooommm! screensaver created the illusion of moving through a colorful tube.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Star Trek - Final Exam

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Star Trek - Final Exam

Trekkies got a treat in 1992, when Berkeley Systems released Star Trek: The Screen Saver.

A favorite was called Final Exam, which combined an interactive Star Trek trivia game and screensaver.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Star Trek - Mission

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Star Trek - Mission

The Mission screensaver cycled through images from different Star Trek episodes, such as this one from The Corbomite Maneuver episode showing Balok.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Star Trek - Scotty's Files

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Star Trek - Scotty's Files

Scotty’s Files screensaver let Trekkies geek out over technical schematics of ships and a variety of devices, including a Phaser and a Tricorder.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Star Trek - Sick bay

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Star Trek - Sick bay

The Sickbay screensaver recreated the readouts from the bed panels in Star Trek episodes, complete with the familiar heart beat sound effect.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: Star Trek - Tholian

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: Star Trek - Tholian

This visually arresting scene is from the Star Trek episode the Tholian Web, in which the Enterprise is caught in an energy-sapping web spun by the Tholians, an alien race.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3: Star Trek - Tribbles

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3: Star Trek - Tribbles

These warbling critters are straight out of The Trouble with Tribbles episode, and continue to pile up until they block the desktop.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Mt. Robson, British Colombia

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Mt. Robson, British Colombia

This themed collection of 40 Microsoft Scenes Sierra Club Nature Collection screensavers and desktop backgrounds was released in 1994.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Death Valley National Monument, California

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Death Valley National Monument, California

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Clements Mountain, Colombia

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Clements Mountain, Colombia

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Glacier Bay Region, Alaska

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Glacier Bay Region, Alaska

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Proxy Falls, Oregon

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 3.1: Microsoft Scenes - Proxy Falls, Oregon

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Dangerous Creatures

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Dangerous Creatures

Released on the same day as Windows 95, the retail package of the Microsoft Plus! Companion for Windows 95 bundled a number of different screensavers.

The Dangerous Creatures screensaver saw sharks and stingrays swimming around the screen accompanied by the relaxing sound of bubbling water.

Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Travel

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Travel

Sea planes soared through the clouds in this screensaver.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: 3D Maze

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRL5durPleI

Windows 95: 3D Maze

Aping the style of the then nascent first-person shooter genre, Windows 95’s iconic 3D Maze screensaver endlessly wandered a redbrick maze.

YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRL5durPleI
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Leonardo Da Vinci

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Leonardo Da Vinci

This screensaver displayed sketches of some of da Vinci’s most famous inventions, such as these wings designed for human flight.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Mystery

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Mystery

This haunted house screensaver was brought alive by the sound of creaking doors, a pipe organ, and fluttering bats.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Nature

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Nature

Furry caterpillars crawled across a bed of leaves in this screensaver.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Science

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Science

A lens moved back and forth across the screen in the Science screensaver, with users able to configure the the size, speed and type of the lens.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Sixties

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Sixties

The Spiral lens from the Science screensaver traverses a psychedelic background.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Sports

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - Sports

Football strategies were chalked onto the board in this screensaver.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - The Golden Era

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: Microsoft Plus! Companion - The Golden Era

A blast from the past, this screensaver featured a man listening to a vintage radio show while reading a paper, together with images of radio announcers and antique phones, set to the sound of old radio shows and ringing phones.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 95: 3DText

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 95: 3DText

The 3D Text screensaver in Windows 95 OSR2 and Windows NT had a hidden feature that enabled it to display the names of 17 major volcanoes in the Northwest of the United States.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Wallpaper

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Wallpaper

Released on the same day as Windows 98, the Microsoft Plus! 98 Companion for Windows 98 featured a range of screensavers alongside the new utilities, games, and desktop themes.

The screensaver above submerged the desktop wallpaper, complete with ripples on the surface.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Photodisc

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Photodisc

Among the various slides in this screensaver was this impressive shot of the moon.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Foxtrot

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Foxtrot

In a gag from the comic, this screensaver showed Quincy the iguana flying through the air while tied to a rocket.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Horror channel

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Horror channel

This screensaver cycled through images from classic horror films.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Jazz

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Jazz

This lively offering put on a display of dancing musical notes.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Peanuts

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Peanuts

This screensaver cycled through classic scenes from the famous comic strip, such as this image of Joe Cool and Woodstock.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98 - 3D Pipes

Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzx9ArZ7MUU

Windows 98 - 3D Pipes

Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzx9ArZ7MUU
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 2000 - 3D Pipes Teapots Easter Egg

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 2000 - 3D Pipes Teapots Easter Egg

A later version of 3D Pipes in Windows 2000 had a secret feature that hid teapoints in the joints between pipes.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: Flying objects

Windows 98: Flying objects

The classic Windows 98 screensaver.

Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98 - Flower Box

Image: YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVp6GMHpYvo

Windows 98 - Flower Box

Image: YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVp6GMHpYvo
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: Space station

Image: YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwfp-q3NHhk

Windows 98: Space station

Image: YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwfp-q3NHhk
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: Jungle screensaver

Image: YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j5HA3Z8CZQ

Windows 98: Jungle screensaver

Image: YouTube / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j5HA3Z8CZQ
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Architecture

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Architecture

The screensaver showed off a collection of what was, at the time, impressively rendered 3D objects.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Cathy

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Cathy

Hearts floated across the screen in this themed offering.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Cityscape

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Cityscape

In this screensaver, different shapes, such as 3D blocks, pulled the wallpaper with them as they moved around the desktop.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Corbis Photography

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Corbis Photography

Among the selected images displayed by this screensaver were this world famous photograph of Florence Owens Thompson taken during the Great Depression.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Sci-fi

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Sci-fi

This screensaver showed the desolate landscape of an alien world with bizarre creatures above its surface.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Rock n' Roll

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Rock n' Roll

Guitars filled up the display and formed intriguing patterns in this screensaver.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Doonesbury

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Doonesbury

Images from various comic strips were displayed by this screensaver, such as this example showing Mike Doonesbury video conferencing.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Fashion screen server

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Fashion screen server

This screensaver added a bit of style to the desktop, showing a range of black and white images of models.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Garfield

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Garfield

There was no ignoring this screensaver, thanks to the boing sounds that accompanied Garfield and Odie bouncing across the screen.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Geometry

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Geometry

A screensaver that showed a mix of fascinating patterns formed by geometric shapes.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - World Traveller

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - World Traveller

This slideshow explored a collection of amazing photographs.

Image: Greg Shultz
Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Falling Leaves

Image: Greg Shultz

Windows 98: ​Microsoft Plus! 98 - Falling Leaves

Leaves drifted across the screen in this beautiful and calming screensaver.

Also see

  • Securing Windows policy (Tech Pro Research)
  • Open source champion Munich heads back to Windows (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
  • 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
  • What is Windows 10 Fall Creators Update? Everything you need to know about Microsoft’s big upgrade (TechRepublic)
  • Windows 10 performance and troubleshooting tips: Run faster, smoother, longer (ZDNet)
  • Windows 10 networking and security tips (ZDNet)
Image: Greg Shultz
  • Microsoft
  • Software
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98

    Your email has been sent

Share: Photos: Classic Windows screensavers from Windows 1.0 to Windows 98
Image of Nick Heath
By Nick Heath
Nick Heath is a computer science student and was formerly a journalist at TechRepublic and ZDNet.
  • Account Information

    Contact Nick Heath

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Nick's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Employee performance review policy

    PURPOSE The purpose of this policy from TechRepublic Premium is to provide guidelines for employee performance reviews, which will clearly document accomplishments and areas of opportunity via an encouraging and thought-provoking analysis. This will assist in determining the next steps for employees as well as their future at the organization. This policy can be customized ...

    Published:  March 20, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT Modified:  March 21, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Employee time off policy

    PURPOSE The purpose of this policy from TechRepublic Premium is to provide guidelines for requesting, filing and permitting paid/unpaid time off as well as to ensure coverage during holidays, vacation(s) and other absences where staffing levels must be consistent to meet the needs of the business. From the policy: TIME OFF GUIDELINES All time off ...

    Published:  March 20, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT Modified:  March 21, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Employee privacy policy

    PURPOSE This policy describes the organization’s employee privacy guidelines and outlines employee privacy expectations. From the policy: POLICY DETAILS The organization’s IT equipment, services and systems are intended for business use only. However, the organization acknowledges that staff, consultants and volunteers occasionally require opportunities to make or receive personal phone calls, access personal email, utilize ...

    Published:  March 19, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT Modified:  March 20, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Security response policy

    PURPOSE The purpose of this Security Response Policy from TechRepublic Premium is to outline the security incident response processes which must be followed. This policy will assist to identify and resolve information security incidents quickly and effectively, thus minimizing their business impact and reducing the risk of similar incidents recurring. It includes requirements for both ...

    Downloads
    Published:  March 19, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT Modified:  March 20, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT Read More See more TechRepublic Premium

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice