This article will show you how to easily create a Mac OS X keyboard shortcut to open the Screen Saver application (and lock the screen).
For Apple Magic Trackpad users, it will also show you how to setup a gesture to instantly activate the Screen Saver (and lock the screen).
Required:
- Mac OS X
- Quicksilver (free download)
Optional: (For Apple Magic Trackpad users, to setup a gesture to active Screen Saver.)
- Apple Magic Trackpad
- BetterTouchTool (free download)
Other methods to do this include pressing CTRL-SHIFT-EJECT (has a longer lag time to start up compared with activating Screen Saver), setting up Keychain Access to 'Lock Screen' (requires click from menu bar and another click to activate) and setting up Hot Corners (many people prefer other methods than this, for various reasons), but we feel our method works the best (quickest, easy and free).
![Hotkey for screensaver windows 10 Hotkey for screensaver windows 10](/uploads/1/1/9/4/119495679/502458278.jpg)
![Hotkey For Screensaver Mac Hotkey For Screensaver Mac](/uploads/1/1/9/4/119495679/130975297.jpg)
Mac OS: Catalina (sorry, I’m not at computer right now) Is it possible to prevent a screensaver from exiting when you wiggle a mouse and instead set a key or hotkey to make it exit? Or is lock screen (with password) my only option? I want to make a slideshow of photos with the least amount of work possible and screensaver is such a quick way. What is Mac OS X? Mac® OS X® is an operating system for personal computers (PC), created by Apple. Now rebranded as macOS, it runs on Apple devices like the Macbook and iMac, and allows you to manage files and run other programs like web browsers, video games and even screensavers.
For Apple Magic Trackpad users, it will also show you how to setup a gesture to instantly activate the Screen Saver (and lock the screen).
Required:
- Mac OS X
- Quicksilver (free download)
Optional: (For Apple Magic Trackpad users, to setup a gesture to active Screen Saver.)
- Apple Magic Trackpad
- BetterTouchTool (free download)
Other methods to do this include pressing CTRL-SHIFT-EJECT (has a longer lag time to start up compared with activating Screen Saver), setting up Keychain Access to 'Lock Screen' (requires click from menu bar and another click to activate) and setting up Hot Corners (many people prefer other methods than this, for various reasons), but we feel our method works the best (quickest, easy and free).
![Hotkey for screensaver windows 10 Hotkey for screensaver windows 10](/uploads/1/1/9/4/119495679/502458278.jpg)
How To Create a Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcut to Open Screen Saver Application (Lock Screen)
![Hotkey For Screensaver Mac Hotkey For Screensaver Mac](/uploads/1/1/9/4/119495679/130975297.jpg)
- Enable password for screen saver. To do this:
Open System Preferences and click Security & Privacy. Check the 'Require password after sleep or screen saver begins' box. - Copy Screen Saver application from '/System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Versions/A/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app' to your Applications folder.
- Download Quicksilver and install.
- Open Quicksilver and setup desired trigger (keyboard shortcut) to open Screen Saver application (the one copied to Applications directory). Ensure Quicksilver application is set to 'Start at login', from the preferences menu.
How To Setup a Gesture to Quickly Open Screen Saver Application (Apple Magic Trackpad Users)
Free Screensaver Mac
- Download BetterTouchTool and install.
- Setup Magic Trackpad gesture to activate the Custom Keyboard Shortcut that you have just setup above.