Changing the Look of Your Desktop


One of the first things that most users want to personalize is the look of the Windows desktop itself. Read on to learn what you can customize and how.

Changing the Desktop Size

You can configure your computer's display so that the desktop is larger or smaller than normal. A larger desktop lets you view more things onscreen at the same time even though each item is smaller than before. A smaller desktop displays fewer items, but they're larger. (Great if your eyesight is less than perfect.)

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You can also open the Display Properties dialog box from the Windows Control panel; just open the Control Panel folder, select Appearance and Themes, and then select Display.


Changing the size of the desktop is accomplished by changing Windows's screen resolution. You do this by following these steps:

  1. Right-click anywhere on the desktop to display a pop-up menu.

  2. Select Properties from the pop-up menu; this displays the Display Properties dialog box.

  3. Select the Settings tab (shown in Figure 5.1).

    Figure 5.1. Use the Display Properties dialog box to configure Windows' display settings.

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  4. Adjust the Screen Resolution slider. (The sample display changes to reflect your new settings.)

While you're on this tab, you can also change the number of colors displayed. (More is better.) Just choose the desired setting from the Color Quality drop-down list, and then click OK when done.

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To best use all the features of Windows XP, go for a 1024x768 resolution. If this setting makes things look too small (a problem if you have a smaller monitor), try the 800x600 resolution. As for color, 16-bit is my recommended minimum for Windows XP, but 32-bit is better for displaying fast-moving games or video.


Selecting a New Desktop Theme

Desktop themes are specific combinations of background wallpaper, colors, fonts, cursors, sounds, and screensavers all arranged around a specific look or topic. When you choose a new theme, the look and feel of your entire desktop changes.

To change desktop themes, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Display Properties dialog box and select the Themes tab.

  2. Select a new theme from the Theme drop-down list.

  3. Click OK when done.

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You can find additional themes in the Microsoft Plus! for Windows add-on pack. Learn more at the Microsoft Plus! Web site (www.microsoft.com/windows/plus/).


Personalizing the Desktop Background

Although changing themes is the fastest way to change the look of all your desktop elements, you can also change each element separately.

For example, you can easily change your desktop's background pattern or wallpaper. You can choose from the many patterns and wallpapers included with Windows or select a graphic of your own choosing.

Just follow these steps:

  1. Open the Display Properties dialog box and select the Desktop tab, shown in Figure 5.2.

    Figure 5.2. Use the Display Properties dialog box to select a new desktop background.

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  2. To choose one of Windows's built-in backgrounds, make a selection from the Background list.

  3. To select your own graphics file, click the Browse button and navigate to the file you want to use. Click the Open button to add this file to the Background list.

  4. To determine how the image file is displayed on your desktop, select one of the items from the Position pull-down list: Center, Tile, or Stretch.

  5. If you'd rather display a solid background color with no graphic, select None from the Background list and select a color from the Color list.

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    If you find a picture on the Web that you want to use as your desktop background, right-click the picture and select Set as Wallpaper from the pop-up menu.

  6. Click OK to register your changes.

Changing the Color Scheme

The default Windows XP desktop uses a predefined combination of colors and fonts. If you don't like this combination, you can choose from several other predefined schemes.

To change to a new color scheme, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Display Properties dialog box and select the Appearance tab.

  2. Pull down the Color Scheme list, and select a new theme.

  3. Click OK when done.



Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics
Absolute Beginners Guide to Computer Basics (2nd Edition)
ISBN: 0789731754
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 253

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