This article we divide it into two parts, a part for beginners, to explain how to change the background on Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 using the options and menus of internal settings, and a second part, instead, where we list some of the best programs to personalize the Windows desktop in an even more profound way, in all its aspects, not only the background, but also the icons and menu bars themselves. Part One: guide to customize the desktop
Basically, Microsoft provides a collection of desktop wallpapers and also allows you to choose window colors, sounds and screen savers and each set of options for customizing the appearance of the desktop is called a theme.
Regardless of whether you are using Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 just right click (or touch and hold on touch screens) anywhere on the desktop to enter the Personalize menu.
If you are using a Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 PC, the Control Panel window opens while in Windows 10 there is a section of the Settings menu (but you can always open the standard Screen Customization screen from the Control Panel).
Except for this difference, the three operating systems work in exactly the same way.
It is therefore possible to change only the background, change the color, the sounds and the screensaver or directly select one of the available themes.
If none of the included themes please, you can download new Themes from the Microsoft site or you can also find other graphic styles to change the theme and desktop, even official from the Microsoft site (including those to transform Windows into Mac)
Note that high contrast themes are for those with vision problems.
Regarding the backgrounds, however, we have seen in several articles in which sites to search for the most beautiful backgrounds, then also the animated backgrounds, clock backgrounds, blackboard background, backgrounds with fish and seabed, how to create a custom background and how to rotate different images as a desktop wallpaper.
In this regard, in Windows 10 just choose, in Settings> Personalization, the Presentation option in the selection of the type of Background and then choose the folder that includes the backgrounds to be used and each when it has to rotate.
As you can see by playing with the menu, you can also use a solid color background by choosing the color, perhaps black so as not to disturb the eyes.
Part two: Programs to customize the Windows wallpaper
The Windows desktop, by default, after an installation, presents itself with a low bar called the taskbar, a Start menu with which to launch programs and an area on the right with the clock and notifications of active programs.
On the desktop there is nothing but program icons, often scattered without order.
To improve the order of the icons and better organize the desktop, we see here the main free programs that allow you to customize the computer wallpaper that is worth trying and installing.
1) RocketDock is the MAC-style bar, superimposed on the PC background, where you can put icons to start your favorite programs more quickly.
Not only is it very elegant to look at, but it also adds a lot of customization settings, including colors, sizes, how it looks and so on.
If you don't like or want to look for a free alternative, I refer you to the article with the programs to have a program launch bar (Dock) on Windows.
2) NimiPlaces to organize the desktop in panes is, in my opinion, the best way to customize the functioning of the PC desktop to organize the icons that are on the desktop background.
NimiPlaces is the best alternative to Stardock Fences (paid program) and it is truly recommended for everyone to group objects together and enclose the icons of similar programs in a graphic box that surrounds the groups.
Here too you can customize the color combinations used and much more.
3) CursorFX is perhaps the best program for creating cursors and mouse pointers by replacing the standard Windows ones with much more beautiful 3D cursors and arrows .
The cursor that moves with the mouse will also have graphic effects during its movement which greatly improves the visual quality of the computer background.
Relative to CursorFx is Iconfx which I talked about in the article on where to download the icons.
If desired, you can also put the Middle Finger as a mouse cursor
4) Stardock LogonStudio allows you to change the Windows 7 startup and shutdown screens.
It is probably the best and easiest program to change the startup and shutdown backgrounds on Windows with an offer of 30 backgrounds included.
5) T3Desk is an exceptional way to manage windows with 3D effect, arranging them in diagonal depth, giving the possibility to browse them very quickly, with an immediate glance.
As an alternative to T3Desk we have seen in another article other programs to add 3D effects to Windows windows.
6) DeskSpace, to remain in the speech of a 3D desktop, allows you to use the so-called virtual desktops, putting them in a 6-sided 3D cube that you can turn as you want.
The advantage is to widen the background to work on to have more space available.
DeskSpace is mentioned in the article on multi Desktop 3D for Windows.
7) Clover to have Windows tabbed windows like Chrome is a little known, but highly appreciated and, above all, free program.
8) SmallWindows, to see the windows open all together as you can do with Mission Control on Mac or with the task view of Windows 10.
9) Programs to change fonts, colors and buttons of windows and on menu bars in Windows
10) Program to extend the desktop with sliding, extended, panoramic background
In other articles I finally explained how to make the desktop wallpaper clean and tidy and how to customize the Windows taskbar in 10 ways
