Customizing the Desktop in Windows 7

The icons on the desktop provide easy access to programs, folders, and system related shortcuts. If your desktop is getting cluttered, you can quickly show or hide the desktop icons. In addition, you can customize the desktop to show or hide the familiar icons: Computer, User’s Files, Network, Recycle Bin, or Control Panel. You can also quickly sort, resize, and rearrange desktop icons by right-clicking the desktop, and then using commands on the View and Sort By submenus.


Display or Hide Desktop Icons
1. Right-click a blank area on the desktop, and then click Personalize.

TIMESAVER To show or hide all desktop icons, right-click the desktop, point to View, and then click Show Desktop Icons.

2. In the left pane, click Change desktop icons.

3. Select or clear the check boxes to show or hide desktop icons.

4. To change the appearance of an icon, select the icon, click Change Icon, select an icon, and then click OK.

5. Click OK.

6. Click the Close button.


You can resize desktop icons. Rightclick the desktop, point to View, and then click Large Icons, Medium Icons, or Small Icons.

You can arrange desktop icons. The Auto Arrange Icons option keeps icons organized so they don’t overlap each other, while the Align Icons To Grid option aligns icons in a window according an invisible grid to keep them organized. Right-click the desktop, point to View, and then click Auto Arrange Icons or Align To Icons Grid.


Customize the Desktop Appearance
• Resize desktop icons. Right-click a blank area on the desktop, point to View, and then click Large Icons, Medium Icons, or Small Icons.

• Auto arrange icons. The Auto arrange icons option keeps icons organized so they don’t overlap each other. Right-click a blank area on the desktop, point to View, and then click Auto arrange icons. (the option toggles on and off)

• Align icons to grid. The Align icons to grid option aligns icons in a window according an invisible grid to keep them organized. Rightclick a blank area on the desktop, point to View, and then click Auto arrange icons. (the option toggles on and off)

• Show or hide desktop icons. Right-click a blank area on the desktop, point to View, and then click Show desktop icons. (the option toggles on and off)

• Show or hide desktop gadgets. (New!) Right-click a blank area on the desktop, point to View, and then click Show desktop gadgets. (the option toggles on and off)

• Sort desktop items. Right-click a blank area on the desktop, point to Sort by, and then select an option.

• Show the next desktop background. (New!) With multiple backgrounds selected, right-click a blank area on the desktop, and then click Next desktop background.


Source of Information : Microsoft Windows 7 on Demand (2009)