Customize your Windows 7

I was absently staring at my desktop, which maybe looks just like yours; a bubble-blowing beta floating in the deep blue.  It’s pretty, but it’s time for it to go.

I thought it might be a good idea to do a quick tutorial for those out there that aren’t familiar with how to change the desktop from the Microsoft default to something that speaks a bit more about their own personality.  One of the beautiful things about Windows 7 is how customizable it is.  You can change just about anything you want, usually with just a few clicks.

Changing your desktop background

Ok, this is pretty easy.  The hardest part of this step is finding an image that you want to see every time you see your desktop.

1. Find an image that you want.  This can come from Google images, Flickr, any website, or from your own digital camera.
2. Right click on the image
3. Choose “set as desktop background”
4. And, you’re done.  Your image choice should now be staring you in the face, ready for you to enjoy until you get bored with this one.

Changing your desktop icons

1. Click on any blank spot on your desktop
2. Select “Personalize” from the menu that appears
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4. Choose which system icons you want to have live on the desktop (computer, recycle bin, network, etc) by checking or unchecking the appropriate box.
5. Change the icon for the various system activities by clicking the icon, and then select “Change Icon”.
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7. Scroll through the available icons until you find the one that you are happy with. If you really wanted to, you could customize your desktop enough so it looks like it did in Windows 95 J

Click “OK”, and check out your new desktop.  If you want to switch things back, just click on the “Restore Defaults” button, and things should return to normal.

Adding/Changing Gadgets

Ok, gadgets are one of the best things about Windows 7.  You might remember them from Vista, where they were forced to live in a sidebar, longing to have the freedom to move around the desktop.  They’re free to roam wherever you want them to go now in Windows 7.  Choosing the right gadgets for your needs just takes a few clicks.

1. Right click on a blank spot on your desktop.  Choose “Gadgets” from the menu.
2. There are 10 default gadgets from Microsoft, and for the most part, they are pretty useful.
3. Choose the gadget that you want to see on your desktop
4. Once the gadget is on your desktop, you can move it anywhere by click/hold, and then drag it to its new home.
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6. You might have noticed an option to get more gadgets.  When you click “Get more gadgets online” you will be sent to the MS website, and here you have the ability to add gadgets that go well beyond the original 10.
7. There are gadgets that you can use to have Bing on your desktop, gadgets to check your email and act like a mini-inbox so you don’t even have to open your email client.  There are other gadgets that you can use to play music, show off your xbox 360 avatar, and more.  Just click on the gadget that interests you, and you will be taken to a page that explains what the gadget does, and why it’s the best thing for your computing enjoyment.
8. When you are ready to choose a gadget, just click on the “Download” button, and then choose install.
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10. Make sure that you select “Open with Windows Desktop Gadgets (default)” and then click “OK”
11. Click “install” when the security warning comes up, and then enjoy your new gadget, move it around to wherever you want it on your desktop.

You can add as many gadgets as you want, but remember that they are programs, so the more you have open the more resources will be used.

Next post we will look at customizing toolbars and start button, and touch on how to install and use new desktop themes.

-J