Customize Your Desktop

This page is devoted to personalizing your computer desktop or environment. You can change almost anything on your computer desktop. You can change the background or wallpaper, screensaver, bar colors, text font and colors, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Personalizing your Start Menu and Task Bar (grey bar at the bottom of your screen):

Caution: Be very careful when editing start menu!

Click on Start menu -> Settings -> Taskbar -> two choices: Start Menu Programs and Taskbar Options.
Click on Start Menu Programs - Customize. Here you can add and remove items from your Start Menu (this does not change the shortcuts on the desktop). The Browse option brings up Explorer and allows you to rename a Start Menu item. Documents Menu allows you to clear the recently worked documents list.
The Taskbar Options allows you to customize your task bar. If the task bar disappears when the mouse is not on it, you can unhide the task bar in the Taskbar Options.

Desktop shortcuts:
Find program in Start -> Programs
Right Click on the chosen program
Choose 'Send to'
Choose 'Desktop (create shortcut)'

For more on information on creating shortcuts click on the following link:

How to Place Shortcuts on the Desktop

Wallpapers or Backgrounds
Settings->Control Panel:
Display Properties: (Another way and the quickest way to get to Display Properties is to Right Click on Desktop and Choose Properties)
Wallpaper
-> choose Background tab
Scroll through preset choices, highlight your selection
OR
Download from the Internet
Store picture in My Documents and use 'Browse"
Browse allows you to use any picture stored in your computer as a background
Digital Camera Pictures can be used also
When you have made your choice click 'Apply'

Screen Savers
Choose Screen Savers Tab
Arrow Down to choose one
Settings -allows you to mute the sound
Preview -allows you to preview your choice
Wait: - delay time before screen saver appears
Apply ->OK
You can also download Screen Savers-they should go directly into your list of choices

Appearance
Changes the appearance of Windows colors and fonts
Choose a 'Scheme' from the list'
Or choose an individual item within the Window to change: choose the item then change the color.

Settings
Allows you to choose the display density of the Colors on your screen.
(some programs, usually older ones, require certain settings)

Screen area-You can adjust the size of your viewing area
800x600 is the most common For more information on changing display settings, click on the following link:

Display Settings

Other Control Panel choices: (Start -> Settings -> Control Panel)
Mouse Properties
Choose sensitivity levels, right hand vs. left hand, etc
Keyboard Control
Speed and sensitivity
Sounds
Choose sounds for various functions

Desktop Themes
Choose entire themes for your desktop display: by doing this you change the look and feel of the entire Window-It includes Wallpaper, Screen Saver, and Appearance.

Shortcut to Wallpapers or Screen Savers

Right mouse on the desktop on the wallpaper. Left click on Properties.