Is there any way to make the screensaver start, while Skype video call is in progress, in Windows 7?

So, my situation is as following, I'm forced to keep a Skype video call open during nights while I sleep, I would like the screensaver to kick in and start after lets say 5 mins of me being idle.

From what I understand, the OS (Windows 7) thinks that it is not idle because the webcam is on, it makes quite a lot of sense. Howerever something tells me this can be avoided, because for example application like vlc do prevent the screensaver opening but there is an option to disable/enable that (at least it was like that).

Anyways to cut my story short I'd like to get some suggestions on the matter.

gmunk

Posted 2012-02-26T21:48:06.603

Reputation: 165

Out of pure curiosity, what is forcing you to do this and what is the computer "watching"? – Raystafarian – 2012-02-26T22:45:33.880

Lets say that someone wants to be sure I'm right where I'm supposed to be :). – gmunk – 2012-02-26T23:34:06.080

Answers

I can't seem to think of a way to stop skype from disabling the screen saver (maybe stack overflow might be a better place for this) but why not just create a shortcut to activate the screen saver and click on it when you go to sleep?

Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\ and find the screensaver you want with the .scr extension and create a shortcut for it on the desktop (or wherever). Then whenever you are finished for the night, double click the shortcut to run the screensaver. This should work.

Raystafarian

Posted 2012-02-26T21:48:06.603

Reputation: 20 384

I'd give it a try but yeah it seems quite logical to work :). Thanks! – gmunk – 2012-02-26T23:34:37.483