Getting Started Guide

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Personalizing Your Desktop
Getting Started Guide for Microsoft® Windows Vista™
Changing the Desktop Background
Choosing the Desktop Theme
Choosing a Screen Saver
Changing the Start Menu
Creating and Arranging Shortcuts
You can personalize the appearance of the Microsoft® Windows Vista™ desktop, menus, windows and other elements. You
can also change the sounds used to indicate actions such as receiving mail.
To access the personalization options:
1. Right-click the desktop and select Personalize.
2. Review the options displayed on the screen. Clicking an option displays additional information for changing the
appearance of the desktop.
Changing the Desktop Background
The desktop background (or wallpaper) is the image used to display the Windows Vista desktop.
1. Right-click the desktop and select Personalize.
2. Click Desktop Background.
3. Explore the items on the Picture Location drop-down menu. This menu provides a large selection of photographs,
solid colors, and other images to be displayed as the desktop background.
4. Select an item from the Picture Location drop-down menu and click OK.
NOTE: As an alternative to the Picture Location drop-down menu, click the Browse button to locate additional
images that can be used as the desktop background or wallpaper.
Choosing the Desktop Theme
The desktop theme refers to the appearance of the desktop and the application windows.
1. Right-click the desktop and select Personalize.
2. Click Theme.
3. Explore the items on the Theme drop-down menu.
4. Click Apply and then click Ok.
Choosing a Screen Saver
The screensaver displays when the computer is turned on but has been left idle for a period of time.
1. Right-click the desktop and select Personalize.
2. Click Screen Saver.
3. Explore the items on the Screen saver drop-down menu.
4. Select an item from the Screen saver drop-down menu and click Apply and then click OK.