Using Windows XP > Computer Setup and Maintenance

Personalize your system with Windows XP

You have your computer set up—now make your system look and sound the way you want.

Show your style! Make Windows XP look the way you wantShow your style! Make Windows XP look the way you want

From color schemes to font sizes, you can change the way Windows XP looks. Start fine-tuning your system's appearance.

Change your monitor resolutionChange your monitor resolution

Make objects appear larger or smaller on your monitor by changing your screen resolution.

Work with shortcutsWork with shortcuts

Learn how to use little icons that can save you time.

Change the sounds Windows XP makesChange the sounds Windows XP makes

Ready for something other than beeps, dings, and bells? You don’t have to stick with the default sounds in Windows XP.

Increase the clarity of your screen imageIncrease the clarity of your screen image

Make fonts as easy to read as possible on your screen with the ClearType tuner.

Set up accessibility featuresSet up accessibility features

Improve readability, enhance sound, and more with Windows XP accessibility features.

Set up your screen saverSet up your screen saver

Did you know that Windows XP comes with a built-in screen saver? Learn how to turn on and change the screen saver.

Customize your Start menuCustomize your Start menu

Put the programs you use the most at your fingertips, and organize them however you like.

Customize your mouse settingsCustomize your mouse settings

Customize how your mouse input looks and behaves.

Change your toolbarsChange your toolbars

Toolbars are collections of icons used for a particular task. See how they work and find out how you can tailor them to suit your needs.

Use Windows in "Classic view"Use Windows in "Classic view"

Before Windows XP, there was the "classic" Windows look. You can change various aspects of Windows to make it look the way it did before Windows XP arrived.

Organize and clean up your desktop iconsOrganize and clean up your desktop icons

You may want dozens of icons on your desktop, or you may prefer the bare minimum. Set up your desktop icons to suit your taste.

Working with menusWorking with menus

Change the way the menus in Windows XP look and function.

Optimize your computer's performanceOptimize your computer's performance

Learn how to turn off certain features to make your computer run faster.