Personalize your PC
Your computer should be all about you
There's only one thing better than getting a brand-new PC-and that's getting a brand-new PC set up exactly the way you want it. Who wants a boring desktop? Who wants to waste time looking for specific documents or information? Go ahead and take the time up front to do some simple customization. You'll get a PC that truly reflects who you are-and that organizes all your information so you can spend more time on the things that matter.
Windows Vista features all the same ways to personalize your PC as Windows XP, plus a few extras. Here we'll walk you through how to turn your PC from functional to inspirational.
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How to customize your desktop
The very first step to making your PC truly your own is to make the way it looks and the way you interact with it fit your personality-and then have those customizations available the instant you turn it on. That means customizing your desktop.
Change your desktop background
By far, the easiest way to personalize your PC is simply changing your desktop background. Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select Personalize. Then choose Desktop Background. If the picture you want to use isn't displayed, simply navigate to the correct folder. Alternatively, you can select any picture-on your PC or the Internet-right-click, and select Set as Background.
You can choose one of the desktop backgrounds pre-loaded in your Windows operating system.
Customize your theme
Windows Vista comes with two themes: the new streamlined interface of Windows Vista or the more traditional look of previous versions of Windows. To choose the theme that you want to use, right-click on the desktop, select Personalize, and then choose Windows Vista or Windows Classic.
Want something completely new? No problem. You can download many different themes from the Internet-simply search for Windows Vista themes (and make sure that you're downloading from a site you trust). Then, when you're choosing a theme, select Browse, and navigate to the folder where you've saved the theme.
A theme includes background, sounds, icons, and other elements.
Check out Sidebar
If you've recently gotten a new PC running Windows Vista, you'll probably notice the icons running down the right side of your desktop. The Sidebar puts the information you want right on your desktop-so you don't need to click to see a calendar, the news, additional pictures, or anything else you want.
Customizing Sidebar is easy. Each of the icons you see is a Gadget, or a mini program that pulls information straight to your desktop. Delete any Gadgets you don't want by clicking the X on the left side of the Gadget. Add more by right-clicking the plus sign at the top. You can choose from Gadgets already included in Windows Vista, or you can download more by clicking Get more gadgets online. There are hundreds of Gadgets to choose from-and you can get virtually anything you want right on your desktop. For instance, you can set up a gadget to manage online radio stations for streaming music. Keep track of items on popular auction sites. Get your favorite daily comic delivered straight to your PC. Best of all, you don’t have to open a browser window.
The sidebar, the right side of your desktop view, can showcase fun, helpful gadgets.
Personalize desktop icons
Do you want large desktop icons? Small icons? Maybe you'd prefer not to see any desktop icons at all? However you want your icons to look, changing them is a snap. Right-click on the desktop and select View. Decide whether you want to display icons on the desktop, and then choose between large, medium, and classic (small) icons.
Sometimes it's fun to shake up how desktop icons look, too. Right-click on the desktop, select Personalize, and then click Change Desktop Icons under Tasks on the left-hand side. Then choose the icon you would like to change and click Change Icon. From there, you can view your options. And just like themes, you can download many different icons from the Internet.
Make your icons look exactly the way you want, and stop hunting for that one folder you use all the time!
Add your home folder to the desktop
Whenever you download or store music, create a document, or upload pictures, information is saved in your home folder. This folder is easily identifiable because it's usually whatever name you gave your PC, such as your own name. Chances are you'll probably want to put this folder within easy reach on your desktop to save clicks. It's simple. Click Start and then Show on Desktop.
It’s easy to add your home folder and other folders to your desktop.
Take advantage of Quick Launch
If there are programs you use regularly, think about putting them on your Quick Launch bar, located right next to the Start icon. To add applications, you can either drag the icon onto your Quick Launch bar, or you can right-click on the icon and select Add to Quick Launch. One nice feature in Windows Vista is that the first 10 applications are automatically assigned hotkeys, so you can either click the icon, or you can hit WINDOWS+1, 2, 3, and so on.
Quick Launch lets you keep close track of the software you use most often.
If you have programs you access regularly but don't want to clutter your Quick Launch area, you can also right-click on the program icon and select Pin to Start Menu. Every time you open the Start menu, the application icon will be displayed at the top.
Take the deep dive on personalizing your PC
If you thought customizing your desktop was the only way to stake a claim on your PC, think again. From screensavers and skins to calendars, interacting with your computer has never been easier.
Choose the right screen saver
Who hasn't spent hours playing around with the various screen saver options on their PC? Windows Vista comes with more options than ever—and with the new photo screen saver, you can launch a rotating display of all or some of the pictures on your PC with ease. To change your screen saver, simply right-click on the desktop, select Personalize, and then choose Screensaver. If you don't find the exact screen saver you want, download free ones from online sites such as www.freesaver.com.
A screen saver is a fun, easy way to make your computer
Skin that media
If you download a ton of music, pictures, and videos on your PC, it's easy to get bored with the way Windows Media Player looks. Fortunately, you can get a skin that reflects your tastes-and while you're at it, check out plug-ins that will enhance your media experience. It's all available at
www.wmplugins.com.
Coordinate your entire family's activities
Today's families are busier than ever. From meetings and entertainment to your kids' soccer practice or band recitals, now you can keep track of everyone's activities. Built right into Windows Vista, the new Calendar feature lets you set alerts, set up recurring meetings, send e-mail reminders, and even publish your calendar to the Web so you or someone else can check it on the go. Plus, comparing calendars is a snap, making double booking a thing of the past. Get the lowdown at
www.microsoft.com/athome/intouch/vistacalendar.mspx.
You're not limited to viewing your calendar only when you're logged on, either. Now you can print your calendar-and in quality that rivals commercial ones-for a family calendar that really suits your needs. Find out more at www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/calendars/howto.mspx.
Taking the time to perform these simple customizations makes your PC a lot more fun-and a lot more functional, too. While you're at it, check out some tips on how to make your PC as speedy as possible: windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/83ec0ffe-ee04-4d53-8b87-25d1f05c954e1033.mspx.
