Video:Customize the Windows XP Desktop

SHARE ON                

Transcript:Customize the Windows XP Desktop

Hi, I'm Don Schechter for About.com Computing. Today, I'll show you how to customize the Windows XP desktop to suit your work style.

How to Add Shortcuts

You can add shortcuts to your Desktop, so that you can access programs on your computer quickly. To do this, right-click on an empty place on your desktop to open the context menu. Go down to New and you will open the submenu. Click on Shortcut. Then click browse to locate a file. When you find a file or folder for which you want to create a shortcut, select it. I will select iTunes. Click OK. Then click Next. Now you can type in a name for your shortcut. I will type iTunes. Click Finish when you're done. The shortcut will now be on your desktop.

Customize Display Options

To get started, open the Start Menu and go to Settings, Control Panel, Display. Next, click on the Appearance tab. Here you can choose the font size from the drop down menu. You can also choose a different color scheme and window and button style. You can switch between Windows XP Style and Windows Classic Style here. If you click on Effects, you can choose to use large icons, show shadows, and display items while you drag them. If you click on the Advanced button, you can choose a specific color for your desktop. Click OK when you're done.

How to Change Desktop Background

You can also change the background of your desktop. First, right click on an empty space on the desktop. Click on Properties. A window will appear. Click on the Desktop tab. Here, you can choose a windows background from the list below, or click browse to find an image file somewhere else on your computer. I will click Browse, and select a photo file. Click OK when you're done, and you will have a new desktop background.

Thanks for watching. For more information, please visit us online at computing.about.com.