Does ScreenWisp replace the Windows screensaver?
The browser version is a web service you start in fullscreen yourself; it does not register a Windows .scr screensaver or replace the lock screen. The separate Windows portable app can play a selected project after a configured idle period while it remains running in the tray. It also does not replace .scr or lock your PC.
Browser security requires fullscreen to begin from a user click. When you exit, you return to the gallery, My screensavers, or the Player page that launched it.
Can I install ScreenWisp or add it as a PWA?
An optional portable Windows app is available: extract the ZIP and run it. PWA installation is not offered. Creation and editing remain in Studio in a regular browser.
An internet connection is required to open or reload Studio. Project data may remain in browser or folder storage, but the site itself is not offered as an offline app.
Which devices and browsers are supported?
Studio editing is designed for a PC with a keyboard and mouse, with a recommended minimum width of 1200px. Current Chrome, Edge, and Firefox support the core edit, save, and fullscreen flow.
Mobile is best used for browsing and previewing screensavers. User-selected folder storage requires File System Access support in current Chrome or Edge. Firefox continues to use browser storage and .ambientpack backups.
Are my images and projects uploaded to ScreenWisp servers?
Images, GIFs, video, audio, project settings, and thumbnails added in Studio are processed in the current browser or a device folder you explicitly authorize. They are not uploaded to ScreenWisp servers.
The operator cannot remotely open or recover local projects. Before clearing browser site data, keep important work in an .ambientpack file or a selected folder.
Does every project receive separate browser storage?
Projects are separate records, but every project under the same Studio origin and browser profile shares the browser storage quota. One project with large media can reduce the space available to the others.
Review the storage estimate in Studio, remove unused projects, or use selected-folder storage in a supported browser. Keep a separate backup even when plenty of space appears available.
How does selected-folder storage work?
In supported Chrome or Edge, approve read/write access to a folder. Each named project subfolder contains manifest.json, project.json and assets. A successfully generated cover is stored as preview.webp, but a project can work without it. Stable project IDs remain in the JSON files.
ScreenWisp cannot read folders you did not select. Your browser may ask for permission again on a later visit, and disconnecting the folder does not automatically delete its files.
Can ScreenWisp recognize a project folder copied from another PC?
Copy the complete, valid ScreenWisp project folder into the connected top-level folder, then choose Refresh folder in My screensavers. The project appears after its structure passes validation.
Renaming a folder alone does not prevent recognition if its manifest.json, project.json and assets remain valid. The display name comes from the project metadata, and the folder name may be normalized again. Missing or damaged required files and duplicate IDs can cause entries to be excluded, so copy the complete project folder.
Does an .ambientpack backup include the actual media?
Yes. An .ambientpack is a ZIP-based backup containing layout and motion settings plus the actual image, GIF, video and audio data used by the project. A preview image is included when generation succeeds; it is not a required file.
The final archive is limited to 420MB to protect browser memory and reject unsafe compressed input. Keep the .ambientpack extension and restore it with the Studio backup control.
What limits apply to images, GIFs, and video?
Static images share a limit of 20 active elements with text, clocks and media, without a separate 10-image limit. Active GIF and video elements are limited to 3 in total, with a 50 MiB import limit per GIF. Originals retained for undoing merges are counted separately, and active limits are checked when restoring them.
Removing every limit would increase decoding memory, dropped frames, heat, and browser-termination risk. Studio can measure performance, adjust quality, and recommend optimization for heavy media.
Will a screensaver fit a display that is not 16:9?
Image screensavers use prepared aspect-ratio variants and element layouts for the display area. Some ratios without a matching variant use the full image with blurred fill; edges may still be cropped depending on the ratio and composition.
Studio can preview the current display, 16:9, 16:10, 21:9, 4:3, and 9:16 canvases. Some edge cropping or a blurred background fill may be used depending on the source composition.
Can ScreenWisp keep the display awake in fullscreen?
In a supported browser, ScreenWisp requests Screen Wake Lock during fullscreen playback. When permission is available, this reduces automatic display sleep while the screen is in use.
Operating-system power policy, battery saver, or browser restrictions can override the request. Check PC power settings and brightness before a long session.
Where can advertising appear?
After AdSense approval and configuration, ads may appear on content pages in the regular browser, including the public gallery, screensaver details, the guide, and FAQ. On wide PC screens, My screensavers may show one manually placed responsive ad on the right, separated from project controls. ScreenWisp does not use Auto ads, vignette ads, or top/bottom anchor ads, and region, consent choice, and ad availability can mean that no ad appears.
Ads are not placed in the Studio editor, backup and restore flows, or the fullscreen Player. ScreenWisp also does not interrupt fullscreen playback or encourage ad clicks.