How can I quickly start my screen saver?

While I agree that you cannot activate the screensaver in Windows, you can quickly lock the computer. They are, however, only effective if you actually have password security set on your account.

There are two methods for this.

First, holding down the Windows key and pressing the L key. This will cause the computer to lock the desktop.

Second, you can create an icon on the desktop that performs the same function. There is an article here with instructions on doing so:

http://www.petri.co.il/create_quick_launch_shortcuts_lock_computer_restart_shutdown.htm

(please note, I am not associated with petri in any way, although I find them to be a very good source of information)

Well, here's a long way to do it on Windows...

Create a .bat file containing these two lines:

=====
FOR /F "tokens=2* " %%A IN ('reg query "hkcu\control panel\desktop" /v "scrnsave.exe"') DO SET Saver=%%B

%Saver% /s
=====

That first line is the "magic code" to read the Windows registry to read the current screen saver setting.

Next, create a shortcut to it on the desktop. (Right-click the desktop, select "new / shortcut".) Point the shortcut to the .bat file you created above. Name the shortcut whatever you want. (I chose "start screen saver".)

(Alternately, you can hard-code the screen saver you want to use, and simply create a shortcut to it, making sure to pass the "/s" flag, such as "c:\windows\system32\mystify.scr /s".)

Finally, set a "shortcut key" for that shortcut. (Right-click the icon and select "properties". Click the "shortcut key" box, and press a key, such as Ctrl-Alt-S.)

Now, pressing that shortcut key, or double-clicking the icon, will start the .bat file, which launches the current screen saver.