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Terminal Command to Start ScreenSaver (or Lock Screen)

Is there any way to start the ScreenSaver with a Terminal command?

The curtain mode is great, but if one connects to a computer with locked screensaver, I cannot figure how to reset the screensaver (or screen locking) before closing the connection. Otherwise the computer is locally accessible until the autostart of the screensaver...

PowerMac Dual G5/1.8, PowerBook G4/1.3, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Apr 21, 2006 8:18 AM

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Posted on Apr 21, 2006 12:30 PM

open '/System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.a pp'



defaults -currentHost write com.apple.screensaver idleTime 180

will set the screensaver startup idletime to 3 minutes
you can read the current settings by issuing

defaults -currentHost read com.apple.screensaver


defaults -currentHost write com.apple.screensaver idleTime 0
is for never activate.

i've tried using 1 and it doesn't come on right away. the fastest i can get it to start is with 60 (60 secs)
2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Apr 21, 2006 12:30 PM in response to aladdin

open '/System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.a pp'



defaults -currentHost write com.apple.screensaver idleTime 180

will set the screensaver startup idletime to 3 minutes
you can read the current settings by issuing

defaults -currentHost read com.apple.screensaver


defaults -currentHost write com.apple.screensaver idleTime 0
is for never activate.

i've tried using 1 and it doesn't come on right away. the fastest i can get it to start is with 60 (60 secs)

Terminal Command to Start ScreenSaver (or Lock Screen)

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