Is it necessary to install Windows updates? - Common Computer Questions

Question: How do I change my desktop wallpaper background?

Answer:  Changing your wallpaper is easy but the steps are different depending on what version of Windows you are running. We will go through the steps for Windows XP, Vista and 7 to show you how it’s done. You can choose from the built in Windows wallpapers or use your own pictures from websites or your digital camera.

For Windows XP simply right click on your desktop and choose Properties. From there, click on the Desktop tab. You will notice that there is a Background section that shows the built in Windows backgrounds that you can choose from. If you choose None then you can use a solid color that you can change from the color drop down option. If you click on Browse then you can use a picture that you have saved on your computer from your camera or a website etc as your background.

After you have chosen your picture then you need to decide how you want it positioned. Most people use the stretch option but you can also center it on the screen or tile it across the screen.

For Windows Vista right click your desktop and choose Personalize. Then click on the Desktop Background link. From there you can click on Windows Wallpapers which are the built in Windows backgrounds. You can also choose the Pictures options which will let you browse for a picture saved on your computer. The Sample Pictures option lets you choose a picture from your Sample Pictures folder under your public or shared pictures. When you choose to use a picture for a background you will have the option to stretch, center or tile the image on your desktop. The final option is to use a solid color which you can choose or customize by clicking on More.

For Windows 7 right click on your desktop and choose Personalize and then on Desktop Background on the bottom of the window. Under the Picture location dropdown list you will see that there are options for the built in Windows desktop backgrounds which includes the default Windows pictures. Then there is the Pictures Library option which will use pictures from your pictures folder under your documents. Top rated photos uses the most popular built in backgrounds and Solid Colors simply uses a solid color rather than a picture.

With Windows 7 you can have it cycle through the desktop backgrounds or your pictures as a slide show for your wallpaper by using the Change picture every: option after checking which pictures you want to use for your background.

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