How to Set a Default Desktop Background & Picture
Whether you spend most of your day on the computer or only check in every once in a while, the first thing that may greet you when you turn on the system is the desktop. Home to your icons and folders, your desktop is configured with a generic image or design when you buy your computer but you're not tied to that selection. Customize your desktop with a picture or background image that makes you smile, calms your spirit or energizes you to start your day. With just a couple of quick clicks, you'll have a designer default desktop.
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Instructions
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Bring up your desktop on the main screen of your computer. If you have dual monitors, this would be monitor one. If you have any other programs open, click the minus sign "-" in the top-right corner of the window to send the program to the task bar.
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Right-click your desktop and select "Properties."
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Click the "Desktop" tab on the "Display Properties" window.
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Add a custom background picture by clicking the "Browse" button and navigating to a digital image on your computer or flash drive to use for the background. Click once on the image, then click the "Open" button, which brings you back to the "Display Properties" window. Notice the image of the computer monitor on the window changes to show your picture.
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Pull down the "Position" button and select from "Center," "Tile" or "Stretch." The "Center" option places your picture directly in the middle of your desktop. If the picture is smaller than the screen size, you'll get a background frame around it. The "Tile" option repeats your image all across the screen. The "Stretch" option resizes your image so that it fits your desktop; depending on your image size, this may distort it.
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Click the "Apply" button to see what the new version of your desktop looks like with the custom image.
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Pull down the "Color" drop-down menu and select one of the colored boxes. This color will serve as the default background color for your desktop if you don't use a picture or if you use the "Center" setting with a picture that isn't as large as the desktop. Choose a color or click the "Other" button to select from the color rainbow. Click "Apply" to view your changes.
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Click the "OK" button to set these changes, which will stay in effect until you change them again; they won't revert when you turn off your computer.
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