How to Restore Desktop Settings

By M. Alanna White

If you have recently had a virus infection or difficulties with downloaded wallpaper or screen savers, you may want to restore your original desktop settings. At times downloading these display features allows you to add flair to your Windows desktop. But if you aren't careful you can also download from a site that is not trusted, which can result in malicious code finding its way into your computer hard drive. The damage possibilities are endless. Since you have located and deleted those malicious files thanks to anti-virus software, you should now restore your desktop settings.

Select "Control Panel" in the Start menu.

Select "Appearance and Personalization" and then "Change Desktop Background."

Select "Windows Wallpaper" from the drop-down menu. The Windows Vista default wallpaper is the last picture under "Widescreen." Click on that picture and select "OK."

Select "Change Color Scheme." The Appearance Settings dialog box will load. Select "Windows Vista Standard,," then "Apply" and then "OK."

Select "Change Screen Saver." On the drop-down box on the Screen Saver Settings dialog box, select "None," "Apply" and then "OK."

Close Control Panel.

Right click anywhere on the Desktop screen. Scroll down and select "Properties." Select the "Desktop" tab, "Customize Desktop" and then "General" tab. When the desktop icons appear, select the icons you want to restore. Select "OK."

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