by Kyle Getson

Created on: March 01, 2009

Changing the display settings on a Windows XP computer is one of the first things you may need to do when using a computer for the first time. The Resolution is probably the first place you will start. But I will walk you through all of it in case you want additional customizations.

To change your display settings, go to your desktop, and right click anywhere that is not an icon, like the background image on the computer. Then click on Properties. The Display Properties window will open.

First the Themes tab. This allows you to change the way windows, alerts, and programs look on your computer. You can also download additional themes if your looking for a more exciting design.

The next tab is the Desktop tab.This allows you to change the background image on your computer, as well as select specific icons for your desktop. You can select an image that comes by default with Windwos XP, or you can select your own picture, from your digital camera, or a picture you found online. Click 'Customize Desktop...' to pick which icons you want on your desktop, and to swap icons for any of those items. You also have the option of displaying a web page on your desktop.

The next tab is the screen saver. This is what will come on when you leave your computer idle. You can download screensavers online, or use the default ones that come with windows. By hitting the settings button you have the option of additional options such as setting a password and other options specific to the screen saver selected.

The Appearance tab is for customizing the 'theme' you have. You can change the font that your computer uses, you can change the effects, colors, and anything else, in just about every way. You can make your windows black and have white text, or make a simple modification like making blue windows orange.

Select the last tab 'Settings'. In the left you will have a slide bar to adjust your resolution. You can change it, and click Apply. Your screen may flicker for a few seconds while it changes. It will then prompt you to keep the message, this is a safety precaution to be sure you don't accidentally change the resolution to something you cannot read.

Resolution is the number of pixels on the screen. Not necessarily the total number of pixels, more the number of pixels wide and high. Its easier to keep track of that way. Your computer probably can support a number of resolutions, and you may want to test a few out to see what you like.

First of all, it can make the monitor easier to read,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>