How to Change the Desktop Background on a Macintosh Computer

Make your Macintosh computer unique by changing your desktop background.

There are a number of ways to make your Macintosh computer stand out from the rest, including the ability to change the desktop background. Every time you change applications or close a browser window, you see the desktop background. Through the System Preferences menu, choose from a selection of preloaded Apple images, solid colors or use one of your own photos.

Instructions

1. Click on the Apple icon at the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences" from the drop-down menu.

2. Select the "Desktop & Screen Saver" icon from the System Preferences dialog box.

3. Select the "Desktop" tab.

4. Click on a folder in the left navigation pane. Images from that folder appear as thumbnails to the right of the pane. Click on the thumbnail to select it. Use a preloaded Apple image or use one of your own photos by clicking on the iPhoto Library folder. If the image is not in one of the folders in the left pane, click "Choose Folder" and navigate to the folder with your image. Click on the image and click "Choose."

5. Close the "Desktop & Screen Saver" window.

References

• Apple Support; Mac 101: Change your Desktop; November 2009