TUTORIAL TAKEN FROM FREE COURSE : MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP INTRODUCTION FULL COURSE DETAILS This course is designed to get beginners to a point where they are comfortable navigating around Windows and using the mouse. The Windows file management system is covered along with other standard Windows applications. This tutorial was provided by the free training site Courses Online

Customizing Windows XP

Windows XP has many features that you can customize to make using your computer both more convenient and fun. For example, you can change the appearance of your desktop, select a screen saver, and adjust your mouse settings to suit your needs.

Changing Windows XP Settings

You can change most settings in Windows XP by using the Control Panel, illustrated in Figure 5 1. There are several ways to access the Control Panel, but the easiest is through the Start menu. Once you’ve opened the Control Panel window, double-click the icon for the item you want to change.

In some cases, you can quickly access Control Panel dialog boxes without opening the Control Panel window. You do this by right-clicking various components of the screen. For example, you can access the Display Properties dialog box by right-clicking the desktop, and you can change the system date and time by right-clicking the clock in the lower right corner of the screen.

To change Windows XP settings using the Control Panel:

1. From the Start menu, choose Settings.
2. From the Settings menu, choose Control Panel.
3. In the Control Panel window, double-click the item you want to change.
4. In the item dialog box, make the desired changes.

To change Windows XP settings by right-clicking:

1. Right-click the desired screen component.
2. In the shortcut menu, choose the desired menu command.
3. In the item dialog box, make the desired changes.

Selecting a Background

Backgrounds can add an interesting dimension to the desktop. The Backgrounds feature adds patterns and pictures to the desktop. Or you can create your own background using a graphics application or imported photos or scans.

Some of the graphics that Windows XP provides for backgrounds are not large enough to cover the entire screen. For this reason, Windows offers a tile option that repeats the graphic as many times as is needed to fill the desktop. You use the Background section of the Desktop page of the Display Properties dialog box, illustrated in Figure 5 2, to change the desktop background.

To select a background:

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
2. In the shortcut menu, choose Properties to open the Display Properties dialog box.
3. If necessary, select the Desktop tab.
4. From the Background list, select the desired background.
5. Choose Apply to make your changes and leave the dialog box open.
or
6. Choose OK to make your changes and close the dialog box.

Using Screen Savers

Windows provides several screen savers, which are moving pictures or patterns that replace your screen image when your computer is running but has had no keyboard or mouse input for a designated period of time. When you move your mouse or press a key, the normal screen returns.

Each screen saver allows you to change settings such as speed, shapes, and sounds; these settings vary with the particular screen saver you choose. You can also specify how much time must pass before the screen saver appears on the screen. Figure 5 3 illustrates the Screen Saver page of the Display Properties dialog box.

To use screen savers:

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
2. In the shortcut menu, choose Properties to open the Display Properties dialog box.
3. Select the Screen Saver page.
4. In the Screen Saver drop-down list box, select the desired screen saver.
5. In the Wait box, type a number or click the up or down arrows to select the amount of time the screen saver waits before it appears on the screen.
6. Choose the Settings button to change settings.
7. Choose OK.

Changing Appearances You can customize the color of desktop elements using the Appearance page of the Display Properties dialog box. Windows XP provides a variety of color schemes ranging from the teal/brown palette of Desert to the bright purple and black of Storm. Changing your windows color scheme can help prevent eye fatigue or simply allow you to express your personality or mood.

To change appearances:

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
2. In the shortcut menu, choose Properties to open the Display Properties dialog box.
3. Select the Appearance page.
4. To the right of the Color Scheme list, click the drop-down arrow.
5. In the Color Scheme drop-down list, select the scheme you wish to use.
6. Choose Apply to make your changes and leave the dialog box open.

or

7. Choose OK to make your changes and close the dialog box.