Customize
The Desktop is the first thing that you see when the computer opens.
Time & Date - double click on the time illustrated above on the right above.
In Windows7 right click the desktop - click personalize - as below
The Windows 7 personalize screen gives many options - as below
To change the Date and Time
Click on the appropriate date or use the controls to change the month
or year. The time can also be changed by first selecting the digital display
and then using the up and down arrows.
To change the Time Zone - Select the appropriate Time Zone from the drop
down list at the top. NOTE: Changing the date and time information within
Windows will update the battery powered clock in your system.
Mainly XP below
View the computer’s Desktop configuration: date & time, volume settings, Desktop display options (e.g. background options, screen settings, screen saver options etc.).
To customize the Windows background The background screen (Desktop) of Windows can be fully customized to display a color or image of your choice. If necessary close any programs that may be running.
Right-click on an empty part of the Windows Desktop (i.e. the screen). This will display a popup menu, from which you need to click on the Properties command (using the normal, left-hand mouse button).
Clicking on the Properties command will display
the Display Properties dialog box.
The following tabs are available: -
Background Includes options for selecting an image to be used as background wallpaper.
Screen Saver Choice of screen saver to be used and monitor power conservation options (if supported by the monitor).
Appearance Color schemes for all windows components such as Title Bars,
Icons, Message Boxes etc.
Effects Allows you to set visual effects.
Web Allows you to configure your active Desktop to work more like a web page.
Settings Allows you to set the number of colors used by your system and also to set the screen resolution.
Why use a screen saver? Only applicable to old CRTs as images that were displayed constantly often became permanently burnt into the monitor.
To set Desktop schemes - All screen elements, such as the Title Bar, can be configured with a selection of different schemes. Click the Appearance tab in the Display Properties dialog box. From here you can choose from a selection of different schemes.
The Control Panel
The Control Panel window contains numerous icons that allow you to control your system.
Access Control Panel - Click start click control panel - similar in Windows 7 - below
The particular icons that you see on your own PC may be slightly different from those illustrated, because you may have different hardware and programs installed. You may also have different Windows options installed. If you do not have access to an old type phone modem, there is little point in installing Fax Modem features!
To open the Windows Control Panel - Click on the Start button. Move the
mouse up to point to Settings. From the sub-menu, click on Control Panel.
To configure the volume setting This may vary from system to system, but within the Control Panel you will normally find a Multimedia icon. Double clicking on this icon will often allow you to access a volume control for your particular multimedia system. You may also see a small icon relating to the volume settings in the taskbar, as illustrated in the bottom right the image above. Double clicking on this icon will also allow you to access volume settings.
To configure the mouse Mouse configuration within the Control Panel is activated by double clicking on the Mouse icon.
Item Function
Buttons Select left-hand or right-hand mode and change the double click
recognition speed.
Pointers Change the type of mouse pointer used to indicate the action
being performed. It is also possible to substitute some static pointers
for animated ones.
Motion Configure the mouse tracking speed and whether to display mouse
trails.
Many other gadgets can be configured within control panel. Just try exploring them.