How to Make Desktop Themes for Windows XP

A desktop theme is a series of preset images that allows you to control the look of your computer. The main components of a theme are the background picture and icons that display on your desktop. In Windows XP, themes can be changed and rearranged at will. You can design a theme that supports your favorite sports team or rock band. Organize a theme based on your occupation or a special family activity. Many options are available to you regarding desktop themes. The process of changing a theme is easy and takes little time.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Windows XP
• Internet access
• WInzip
• Icon images
• Wallpaper image

Images

1. Find some icons that you like. You can do this in several ways. Go to an established icon site, such as Iconfactory. Some sites have a small charge for icons. Some offer them free. Icons are usually downloaded in a compact file called a zip file. You will need software to unpack the zip file. An example of this type software is Winzip.

2. Open your "MyDocuments" folder. Right-click on an empty space, select "New" and then "Folder" and type "Icons." This will rename the folder so you can recognize it.

3. Download your icons, and save them in your Icons folder. Open the folder, and unpack your icons if they were downloaded in a zip file.

4. Click "Start" in the corner of your desktop, select "Control Panel" and then "Appearance and Themes." Select "Change the desktop background."

5. Click on the button for "Customize Desktop." In the new window, highlight the icon you are going to change, such as "MyComputer," and then click "Change Icon." A second window will pop up.

6. Select "Browse," and find your Icons folder. The icons you downloaded will appear. Highlight the icon you want, and click "OK." You will see the new icon pictured in the window. Change any icon that you wish from that list, and then close the windows.

7. Find a background photo to use on your desktop. This is often called wallpaper. Once you find the image, right-click and select "Set as desktop background" from the menu that appears next to your cursor. You should now see this image on your desktop.

Creating a Theme

1. Click on the "Start" button, and reopen "Control Panel."

2. Select "Appearance and Themes," and this time click "Change the computer's theme."

3. Click on "Save as"; this will allow you to name and save the theme you have created on your computer. Choose a place to save your new theme. You might make a folder called "Themes" somewhere easy to locate, such as your documents folder.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use a screen saver, this will be incorporated into your theme. If you want to use a different one, be sure you load it before saving the theme.

• Many images on the Internet are copyright protected. If you download an image to use in your theme, obtain permission first.

References

• Let's Make a Theme: Customize Windows XP - Ciam Sawyer

Resources

• Winzip
• Iconfactory