Video:Windows XP Custom Settings

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Transcript:Windows XP Custom Settings

Hi. I'm Don Schechter for About.com Computing.

The Windows XP operating system allows you to customize its appearance and functionality with a few clicks. Let's start by customizing the Taskbar and Start Menu.

Windows Task Bar Settings

Right click in an open space on the task bar, and select properties. As you can see we can change how the taskbar looks by selecting or deselecting specific items then clicking Apply. You can even turn off the clock.

Now click the customize button. From here you can select which items you want to hide or show in the system tray. The drop down gives you three options for any item that has been loaded on your computer.

Click OK to save changes. I'm going to click cancel and return back to the other menu.

Windows Start Menu Settings

Select the Start Menu tab. Choose between the option of the newer, sleeker XP start menu option, or the familiar Classic start menu.

I'm going to select Classic start menu and click then Customize. Here you can add and remove items from your start menu as well as customize the functionality of the start menu itself.

For example, watch what happens when I deselect Expand Control Panel. Here's how it looks when it is selected. And here's how it looks when this option is not selected. Click OK to save the changes. Let's leave this screen by clicking OK.

Desktop Settings

Right click on the Desktop and select Properties.

Desktop Theme

In this series of menus you can change your desktop theme. You can download new themes from the Windows website. A theme alters the overall appearance of windows from color schemes down to the appearance of your mouse cursor.

Desktop Image

Click on Desktop. Here you can change your background image. Select browse to put up your favorite picture instead of the standard image.

Custom Desktop

Customize Desktop allows you to hide or show the standard windows desktop icons.

Windows Screen Saver Settings

Next, click Screen saver. There is a large list of screen savers to choose from as well options for power settings for your monitor and computer.

Appearance Settings

Now click Appearance. This allows you to alter the color scheme and fonts for Windows. You can personally customize the appearance of Windows, creating your own style.

Monitor Resolution

The Settings tab is for adjusting the resolution of your monitor. You do this by moving the slider back and forth. Click OK to save changes.

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