How to set the Screen Saver Grace Period for Windows 8?

Question

I manually added the ScreenSaverGracePeriod (REG_DWORD) value in seconds to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon registry key and it didn't enable the screen saver grace period in Windows 8 (64-bit consumer preview). Has this functionality been removed, or is there a different way of doing this?

Answer 1

I have added ScreenSaverGracePeriod as a REG_SZ (string value) as I remember reading something about a controversy of REG_DWORD v REG_SZ in Windows 7.

It worked for me in Windows 8 consumer. I used ScreenSaverGracePeriod values such as 5 and 60, and I did not even have to sign out for it to give me the grace period. The time before the screen actually locked when once the screen saver activated.

Answer 2

I gave registry settings a try, but no luck, I think because of domain caveats. Here's a workaround that works for me.

1. Go to Power Options
2. Click “Change plan settings” for your current plan
3. Click “Change advanced power settings”
4. Expand the Display item
5. Change “Dim display after” to a number that you’re happy with
6. Change “Turn off display after” to one minute more than the dim value that you just set
7. Change “Dimmed display brightness” to 10% (or a value that you’re happy with)

I changed mine only for “Plugged in” but I may change it in “On battery” as well.