Desktop and Themes
Add shortcuts to the desktop
- Right click the desktop
- Choose New > Shortcut
- Type in the location (address) of the shortcut or press browse to search for the location of the folder
- Click Next
- Name the shortcut
- Choose Finish
You can also add shortcuts to programs and files using the start menu.
Windows Desktop Features
Windows 7 gives you multiple ways to manage your windows. You can re-size open Windows by dragging them to the edges of your screen.
Snap
Dragging the title bar of an open window to the left or right hand side of your screen will align it there. This allows you to have two open windows which appear side-by-side.
Video: Arrange windows side-by-side on the desktop (
1:10)
Maximize a Window
Dragging the title bar of an open window to the top of the page will maximise the window.
Video: Maximize windows on the desktop using Snap ( 0:49)
Minimize all
Click the Show Desktop button at the bottom right of the screen to minimize all windows.
Shake
You can use Shake to minimise all open windows on the desktop except the one you want.
To shake:
- Click and hold the title bar of the window you want to keep open.
- Shake the window back and forth.
- All other windows will be minimised.
Video: Minimize windows on the desktop using Shake ( 0:59)
Resize Desktop Icons
If you find the desktop icons too big or small you can change the size of them. To change their size:
- Right click the desktop
- Click View
- Choose from Large Icons, Medium Icons or Classic Icons (Classic Icons are the smallest)
If you would like a more precise icon size there is another way to change the size of desktop icons.
- Click on the desktop
- Press and hold Ctrl on the keyboard
- Scroll the mouse wheel up or down to get the required size
Themes
You can change the appearance of the desktop by using Themes. Themes include a desktop background, a screen saver, a window border, colours and sound.
There are two different theme types, basic or aero. Aero themes allow you to use extra desktop features such as peek and thumbnail task bar previews. Aero view can also display a series of rotating pictures as a desktop background.
To change your theme
- Right click on the Windows Desktop.
- Click Personalize.
- Choose from Basic and Aero themes.
Aero view
Choosing an Aero theme will give you Aero view. Aero view is a desktop feature that has a see through glass design. It allows you to see through open windows to the desktop.
It is up to you as to whether you choose Aero view or not, and some may prefer the basic theme instead.
To get Aero view:
- Right click on Desktop > Personalize
- Choose one of the Aero themes
- Double click on the Aero theme you want
Desktop features that come with Aero view include:
Peek
Peek allows you to see the desktop without minimising all your open windows.
To peek:
- Hover over the Show Desktop button(link) in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
- Open windows will fade to reveal the desktop.
- Windows will reappear when you move the mouse away.
Video: Temporarily preview the desktop using Peek ( 1:08)
Thumbnail previews
When you hover over a program button on the taskbar you will see a thumbnail-sized preview of the window. For example, if you hovered over the Word program button you would see a preview of your open word document.
Personalise your PC
You can change your user picture, background image, window colour, theme and screen resolution. For instructions on how to do so:
