Windows 10, Part 8 – Personalization
Today we look at personalizing Windows 10 so that it looks and acts the way you want and not the way it arrives.
To start with, how about using another picture or one of your own pictures as your desktop wallpaper? Things have changed a bit regarding this. The pictures Microsoft has preloaded are very high quality so let me tell you how to use those first.
You can get there several ways. From this point on I will give you Ron’s quick way to move around. Just keep in mind that there are several other ways to get to the same place.
To change the background graphic simply right-click on your current desktop picture and click "Personalize." Now you are in the Personalization Settings menus and the "Background" tab will be selected on the left. If not click "Background."
You will see the Preview at the top showing you approximately what your windows theme looks like now. Below it you will see "Background" and the picture will be below it. Click one of the MS included pictures below it to change the current wallpaper. Once you have the one you like simply close the settings window. Correct, there is no save button.
To add your own photograph as the wallpaper/background – underneath the MS pictures you will see the word "Browse." Once the browse button is clicked you will need to navigate to the correct folder which holds the picture you wish to use. Once found click the graphic you choose and select "Choose picture."
The last setting is to select the "Choose a fit" option which adjusts the way the graphics fill the screen. I usually use the "Fit" or "Fill" route but I recommend you play with them until you are happy with the results.
To try some other wallpaper options go back under the Preview and click the Picture dropdown. There you will have "Solid Color" or "Slideshow." Solid color is self-explanatory and many people prefer this. The slideshow is similar to picking an individual picture; however, instead of selecting one graphic you need to select a folder that contains the pictures you want to use. Do not open the photo containing folder but only select it, then choose "Choose a folder." Your pictures will cycle through on your desktop.
While you are in the personalization settings look to the left. Use "Colors" to change the colors of menus and taskbar, etc.
"Lock screen" is used to change the picture of your login window. It works just like the background settings without the slideshow choice. You can also choose to show your appointments and emails on the lock screen along with several other apps. I do not use this as I do not want my personal information displayed if I walk away from my computer. There are several other minor settings here also. Next, "Themes" work as they did in days gone by so I won’t explain anything. Only difference is the look of the menus.
Lastly, under personalization is "Start" where it allows you to pick what you do and do not want to use on your Start Menu. The only one I avoid is "Use Start full screen" but if you tried it and cannot get out try click the start button and the menu will fill your entire screen then start typing "settings", then press enter, click "Personalization" and finally "Start" then click it off.
