Inexplicably, Windows Vista screensavers such as the Ribbon screensaver don’t allow you to change how they work. For example, to change the number or width of the ribbons. But you can change their options, using the Registry. Here’s how to change the Ribbons screensaver to make it use a larger number of ribbons, and make each ribbon much thinner.

In the Registry Editor, go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindows
CurrentVersionScreensaversRibbons

Create a new DWORD called NumRibbons and give it the hexadecimal value of 00000100. Next, create a new DWORD called RibbonWidth and give it the hexadecimal value of 3c23d70a0. Exit the Registry. The Ribbons screensaver will now have the new settings. To restore the old settings, delete the DWORDs.