How to tune your screen’s appearance

Themes can change every aspect of your computer screen’s appearance. Sometimes you just want to change one or two things, like the color of your windows or the font size.
To tune the appearance of Windows XP
1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
Desktop shortcut menu with Properties selected
2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Appearance tab.
The Appearance tab in Display Properties dialog box
3. To change the colors used in your screen’s appearance, click the Color scheme list and then click a new color.
The Color schemes drop-down box on the Appearance tab in the Display Properties dialog box
4. To change text size, click the Font size drop-down box, and then click a new size.
The Font size drop-down box on the Appearance tab in the Display Properties dialog box
5. Click the Advanced button.
Appearance tab in Display Properties dialog box, with Advanced button selected
6. In the Advanced Appearance dialog box, click the Item list to select what aspect of the appearance you want to change. The most important items are:
• 3D Objects. The color of buttons and windows.
• Desktop. The color of your desktop if you don’t have a picture.
• Active Title Bar. The color, size, and font on the title bar of the window you’re currently using. You can fade between two different colors.
• Icon. The size and font of the icons on your desktop.
• Inactive Title Bar. The color, size, and font on the title bar of the windows you aren’t currently using. You can fade between two different colors.
• Menu. The size of the text in menus.
• Scrollbar. The width of scrollbars.
• ToolTip. The size of text that appears when you hover your pointer over an object.
After you’ve set all your Advanced Appearance settings, click OK.
Advanced Appearance dialog box with OK button selected
7. In the Display Properties dialog box, click Apply to test your settings. Click Cancel, and return to step 5 to change any settings you don’t like.
The Appearance tab in Display Properties dialog box, with Apply button selected
8. Click OK to close the Display Properties dialog box.
The Appearance tab in Display Properties dialog box with OK button selected
If you get tired of your computer’s new look, you can always change the theme again, or you can select the Windows XP theme to return to the familiar blue. If other people in your home use your computer but don’t share your sense of style, you can set up accounts for each of them. Then everyone can have a look all their own.