Microsoft Windows Vista Illustrated ... E.pdf · the taskbar, point to Toolbars on the shortcut menu, then click a taskbar it t l t d l t ititem to select or deselect it OR • RightRight--click

Microsoft Windows Vista Microsoft Windows Vista Illustrated IntroductoryIllustrated IntroductoryIllustrated IntroductoryIllustrated Introductory

Customizing Windows UsingCustomizing Windows UsingCustomizing Windows UsingCustomizing Windows Usingthe Control Panelthe Control Panel

Obj tiObj ti

•• Change the desktop backgroundChange the desktop background

ObjectivesObjectives

•• Change the desktop backgroundChange the desktop background•• Change the desktop screen saverChange the desktop screen saver•• Change desktop screen settingsChange desktop screen settings•• Change the desktop appearanceChange the desktop appearanceChange the desktop appearanceChange the desktop appearance•• Work with fontsWork with fonts

22Microsoft Windows Vista Microsoft Windows Vista –– Illustrated IntroductoryIllustrated Introductory

Obj tiObj ti

•• Customize the taskbarCustomize the taskbar

ObjectivesObjectives

•• Customize the taskbarCustomize the taskbar•• Customize the Start menuCustomize the Start menu•• Customize Windows SidebarCustomize Windows Sidebar•• Set the date and timeSet the date and timeSet the date and timeSet the date and time


Unit IntroductionUnit Introduction•• You can customize Windows Vista to You can customize Windows Vista to

suit your personal needs andsuit your personal needs andsuit your personal needs and suit your personal needs and preferencespreferences

•• Use theUse the Control PanelControl Panel to changeto change•• Use the Use the Control PanelControl Panel to change to change settingssettings

•• Contains several icons that open a dialogContains several icons that open a dialog•• Contains several icons that open a dialog Contains several icons that open a dialog box or window to change box or window to change propertiesproperties, or , or characteristics of a specific computer characteristics of a specific computer l tl telementelement


Changing the Desktop Changing the Desktop BackgroundBackgroundBackgroundBackground

•• The desktop The desktop backgroundbackground, or , or ll i i t tt th tll i i t tt th twallpaper, is a picture or pattern that wallpaper, is a picture or pattern that

is the backdrop on which icons and is the backdrop on which icons and windows appearwindows appearwindows appearwindows appear•• Display options include:Display options include:

Fit to ScreenFit to Screen (enlarges the pict re and(enlarges the pict re and•• Fit to ScreenFit to Screen (enlarges the picture and (enlarges the picture and places it in the center of the screen)places it in the center of the screen)

•• TileTile (displays the picture repeatedly (displays the picture repeatedly ( p y p p y( p y p p yacross the screen)across the screen)

•• CenterCenter (displays the picture in the (displays the picture in the t )t )


center)center)

Changing the Desktop Changing the Desktop Background (cont )Background (cont )Background (cont.)Background (cont.)•• To customize the To customize the

desktopdesktopdesktop desktop background:background:

•• Open the Control Open the Control PanelPanel

•• Click the Appearance Click the Appearance and Personalization and Personalization link link

•• Click the Change Click the Change desktop background desktop background linklink

•• Click one of the Click one of the available backgroundsavailable backgrounds


•• Click OKClick OK

Setting a Picture as the Setting a Picture as the Desktop BackgroundDesktop BackgroundDesktop BackgroundDesktop Background

•• To select a picture from your hard disk To select a picture from your hard disk p yp yor the Internet as your background:or the Internet as your background:

•• RightRight--click the picture you want to use in click the picture you want to use in h C i d E lh C i d E lthe Computer window, an Explorer the Computer window, an Explorer

window, or on a Web pagewindow, or on a Web page•• Click Set as Desktop Background on theClick Set as Desktop Background on theClick Set as Desktop Background on the Click Set as Desktop Background on the

shortcut menushortcut menu•• Acceptable file formats include:Acceptable file formats include:

•• BitmapBitmap•• JPEGJPEG


Changing the Desktop Changing the Desktop Screen SaverScreen SaverScreen SaverScreen Saver•• When your computer is idle for a When your computer is idle for a

specified period, a screen saverspecified period, a screen saverspecified period, a screen saver specified period, a screen saver displays a continual motion display displays a continual motion display to prevent monitor burnto prevent monitor burn--in and in and securitysecuritysecuritysecurity

•• To select or change a screen saver, open To select or change a screen saver, open the Control Panel, click the Appearance the Control Panel, click the Appearance and Personalization link change screenand Personalization link change screenand Personalization link, change screen and Personalization link, change screen saver link, click the Screen saver list arrow, saver link, click the Screen saver list arrow, then select a screen saverthen select a screen saver

•• To set additional settings click SettingsTo set additional settings click Settings•• To set additional settings, click Settings, To set additional settings, click Settings, select the options you want, then click OKselect the options you want, then click OK

•• To preview the screen saver, click PreviewTo preview the screen saver, click PreviewClick OKClick OK



Changing power settingsChanging power settings•• From the Screen Saver Settings dialog box, you can From the Screen Saver Settings dialog box, you can

change power option properties for a portable or laptop change power option properties for a portable or laptop computer to reduce the power consumption andcomputer to reduce the power consumption andcomputer to reduce the power consumption and computer to reduce the power consumption and maximize battery lifemaximize battery life

•• If you often leave your computer for a short time If you often leave your computer for a short time while working, you can set your computer to go while working, you can set your computer to go g y y p gg y y p ginto into standbystandby, a state in which your monitor and , a state in which your monitor and hard disks turn off after being idle for a set timehard disks turn off after being idle for a set time

•• If you are often away from your computer for an If you are often away from your computer for an extended time you can set it to go intoextended time you can set it to go into hibernationhibernationextended time, you can set it to go into extended time, you can set it to go into hibernationhibernation, , a state in which your computer first saves a state in which your computer first saves everything in memory on your hard disk and then everything in memory on your hard disk and then shuts downshuts down

•• To help you set power options, you can choose one To help you set power options, you can choose one of the power plans included with Windows or of the power plans included with Windows or modify one to suit your needsmodify one to suit your needs


•• A A power planpower plan is a predefined collection of power is a predefined collection of power usage settingsusage settings

Changing Desktop Screen Changing Desktop Screen SettingsSettingsSettingsSettings•• A monitor displays pictures by dividing A monitor displays pictures by dividing

the display screen into thousands orthe display screen into thousands orthe display screen into thousands or the display screen into thousands or millions of dots, or millions of dots, or pixelspixels

•• Pixels are arranged in rows across the screen Pixels are arranged in rows across the screen and are so close they appear connectedand are so close they appear connectedand are so close they appear connectedand are so close they appear connected

•• The The screen resolutionscreen resolution refers to the number of refers to the number of pixels on the screen, which determines the pixels on the screen, which determines the amount of information shown on the screenamount of information shown on the screenamount of information shown on the screenamount of information shown on the screen

•• A low screen resolution, such as 640 by 480 A low screen resolution, such as 640 by 480 pixels, displays less information, but items pixels, displays less information, but items appear largerappear largerappear largerappear larger

•• A high screen resolution, such as 1040 by 768 A high screen resolution, such as 1040 by 768 pixels, displays more information, but items pixels, displays more information, but items appear smallerappear smaller


Changing Desktop Changing Desktop Screen Settings (cont )Screen Settings (cont )Screen Settings (cont.)Screen Settings (cont.)

•• The color quality can also be changedThe color quality can also be changed•• The higher the color quality, the more The higher the color quality, the more

memory is neededmemory is neededIf l t tt d dIf l t tt d d•• If you leave your computer unattended If you leave your computer unattended for a long time, you should select a for a long time, you should select a screen saverscreen saverscreen saverscreen saver

•• A screen saver is a continually moving A screen saver is a continually moving display that protects your monitor from display that protects your monitor from p y p yp y p yburnburn--inin, which makes the display a , which makes the display a permanent part of the screen and occurs permanent part of the screen and occurs when the display is continuous for too longwhen the display is continuous for too long


when the display is continuous for too longwhen the display is continuous for too long

Changing Desktop Changing Desktop Screen Settings (cont )Screen Settings (cont )Screen Settings (cont.)Screen Settings (cont.)

•• To change the To change the d kt id kt idesktop size:desktop size:

•• Open the Control PanelOpen the Control Panel•• ClickClick the Appearance andthe Appearance andClick Click the Appearance and the Appearance and

Personalization link, then Personalization link, then click the Adjust screen click the Adjust screen resolution linkresolution link

•• Drag the Screen Drag the Screen resolution slider to a resolution slider to a different settingdifferent settinggg

•• Choose any other Choose any other appropriate options, appropriate options, then click OKthen click OK


then click OKthen click OK

Using More Than One MonitorUsing More Than One Monitor•• Adding another monitor increases the size of your Adding another monitor increases the size of your

workspace and your productivity because it workspace and your productivity because it ll t k thi itll t k thi itallows you to work on one thing on one monitor allows you to work on one thing on one monitor

and perform additional tasks using anotherand perform additional tasks using another•• One monitor is the primary monitor, which displays One monitor is the primary monitor, which displays

di l b h t t tdi l b h t t tdialog boxes when you start your computer or a dialog boxes when you start your computer or a programprogram

•• The other monitor is the secondary monitor, which The other monitor is the secondary monitor, which displays windows icons and programs you drag to itdisplays windows icons and programs you drag to itdisplays windows, icons, and programs you drag to it displays windows, icons, and programs you drag to it from the primary monitorfrom the primary monitor

•• Before you can use an additional monitor, you need to Before you can use an additional monitor, you need to install another display adaptor which is a hardwareinstall another display adaptor which is a hardwareinstall another display adaptor, which is a hardware install another display adaptor, which is a hardware device that allows a computer to communicate with its device that allows a computer to communicate with its monitormonitor

•• You can set different screen resolutions and colorYou can set different screen resolutions and color


You can set different screen resolutions and color You can set different screen resolutions and color settings for each monitorsettings for each monitor

Using More Than One MonitorUsing More Than One Monitor

•• To use more than one monitor:To use more than one monitor:•• Open the Control PanelOpen the Control PanelOpen the Control PanelOpen the Control Panel•• Click the Adjust screen resolution link under Click the Adjust screen resolution link under

Appearance and PersonalizationAppearance and Personalization•• Click the monitor icon that represents the secondaryClick the monitor icon that represents the secondaryClick the monitor icon that represents the secondary Click the monitor icon that represents the secondary

monitor that you want to usemonitor that you want to use•• Click the Extend the desktop on this monitor check Click the Extend the desktop on this monitor check

box to select it, then click Applybox to select it, then click Apply, pp y, pp y•• To arrange multiple monitors, click the monitor icons To arrange multiple monitors, click the monitor icons

and drag them in the preview windowand drag them in the preview window•• You can also set different screen resolutions and You can also set different screen resolutions and ou ca a so set d e e t sc ee eso ut o s a dou ca a so set d e e t sc ee eso ut o s a d

color settings for each monitorcolor settings for each monitor•• To set the main monitor, select the monitor, then click To set the main monitor, select the monitor, then click

the This is my main monitor check box to select itthe This is my main monitor check box to select it



Changing the Changing the D kt AD kt ADesktop AppearanceDesktop Appearance

•• A desktopA desktop themetheme changes thechanges theA desktop A desktop themetheme changes the changes the background, screen saver, mouse background, screen saver, mouse pointers, and morepointers, and morepo te s, a d o epo te s, a d o e

•• You can use a predefined theme or create You can use a predefined theme or create your ownyour own

•• Themes can be customizedThemes can be customized•• SchemesSchemes are predefined combinations of are predefined combinations of

settings that assure visual coordination ofsettings that assure visual coordination ofsettings that assure visual coordination of settings that assure visual coordination of itemsitems


Changing the Desktop Changing the Desktop Appearance (cont )Appearance (cont )Appearance (cont.)Appearance (cont.)•• To change the To change the

desktop appearance:desktop appearance:•• Open the Control Panel Open the Control Panel •• Click the Appearance Click the Appearance

and Personalization linkand Personalization link•• Click the Change theClick the Change the•• Click the Change the Click the Change the

theme linktheme link•• Click the Themes list Click the Themes list

arrow, then click a arrow, then click a thththemetheme

•• Click OKClick OK•• Click the Customize Click the Customize

colors linkcolors linkcolors linkcolors link•• Select a color option, Select a color option,

enable or disable enable or disable transparency, then drag transparency, then drag the color intensity sliderthe color intensity slider


the color intensity sliderthe color intensity slider•• Click OKClick OK

Adding Sound EffectsAdding Sound Effects

•• To add sound effects to common To add sound effects to common Windows commands and functions,Windows commands and functions,Windows commands and functions, Windows commands and functions, such as starting and exiting Windows, such as starting and exiting Windows, or opening and closing folders:or opening and closing folders:

•• Open the Control Panel click theOpen the Control Panel click the•• Open the Control Panel, click the Open the Control Panel, click the Appearance and Personalization link, then Appearance and Personalization link, then click the Personalization linkclick the Personalization link

•• Click the Sounds linkClick the Sounds linkClick the Sounds linkClick the Sounds link•• In the Programs events list, click the event In the Programs events list, click the event

to which you want to apply a soundto which you want to apply a sound•• Click the Sounds list arrow then click theClick the Sounds list arrow then click the•• Click the Sounds list arrow, then click the Click the Sounds list arrow, then click the

appropriate soundappropriate sound•• Click Save As, type a name, then click OKClick Save As, type a name, then click OK

Click OK to apply the soundClick OK to apply the sound


•• Click OK to apply the soundClick OK to apply the sound

Working with FontsWorking with Fontsgg•• A A fontfont is a typeface, or a particular design is a typeface, or a particular design

set of letters, numbers, and other set of letters, numbers, and other characterscharacters

•• The height of characters is measured in The height of characters is measured in pointspoints, or , or 1/72 of an inch1/72 of an inch1/72 of an inch1/72 of an inch

•• Character width is measured in Character width is measured in pitchpitch, which refers , which refers to how many characters can fit in an inchto how many characters can fit in an inch

•• Common fonts are Times New Roman ArialCommon fonts are Times New Roman Arial•• Common fonts are Times New Roman, Arial, Common fonts are Times New Roman, Arial, Courier, and SymbolCourier, and Symbol

•• TrueTypeTrueType and and OpenTypeOpenType fonts are outline fonts fonts are outline fonts based on a mathematical equation that createsbased on a mathematical equation that createsbased on a mathematical equation that creates based on a mathematical equation that creates resizable lettersresizable letters

•• A A screen fontscreen font consists of bitmapped characters, consists of bitmapped characters, which are small dots organized to form a letterwhich are small dots organized to form a letter


which are small dots organized to form a letterwhich are small dots organized to form a letter

Working with Fonts (cont.)Working with Fonts (cont.)•• To use the Fonts window To use the Fonts window

to view fonts, compare to view fonts, compare them to each other, them to each other, install new fonts andinstall new fonts andinstall new fonts, and install new fonts, and see a print sample:see a print sample:

•• Open the Control PanelOpen the Control Panel•• Click the Appearance Click the Appearance pppp

and Personalization linkand Personalization link•• Click the Fonts linkClick the Fonts link•• In the Fonts window, In the Fonts window,

click Views buttonclick Views buttonclick Views button click Views button arrow, then click the arrow, then click the appropriate option to appropriate option to filter which fonts are filter which fonts are shownshownshownshown

•• To print a font list, click To print a font list, click the Print button, then the Print button, then click Print in the Print click Print in the Print di l bdi l b


dialog boxdialog box

Installing a FontInstalling a Fontgg

•• To install new fonts from a hardTo install new fonts from a hard•• To install new fonts from a hard To install new fonts from a hard drive, network, or removable disk:drive, network, or removable disk:

•• RightRight--click a blank area of the Fontsclick a blank area of the Fonts•• RightRight--click a blank area of the Fonts click a blank area of the Fonts window, then click Install New Fontwindow, then click Install New Font

•• In the Add Font dialog box, indicate the In the Add Font dialog box, indicate the location of the font to install, then click location of the font to install, then click OK OK


Customizing the TaskbarCustomizing the Taskbargg•• The The taskbartaskbar, located at the bottom of , located at the bottom of

the desktop is most often used tothe desktop is most often used tothe desktop, is most often used to the desktop, is most often used to switch from one program to anotherswitch from one program to another

•• You can customize the taskbar to:You can customize the taskbar to:•• You can customize the taskbar to:You can customize the taskbar to:•• Change its size and locationChange its size and location•• Customize its displayCustomize its displayCustomize its displayCustomize its display•• Add or remove toolbarsAdd or remove toolbars•• Apply AutoApply Auto--hide to hide the taskbar when hide to hide the taskbar when pp ypp y

it’s not in useit’s not in use


Customizing the Taskbar (cont.)Customizing the Taskbar (cont.)•• To customize the To customize the

taskbar:taskbar:•• RightRight--click a blank area ofclick a blank area ofRightRight--click a blank area of click a blank area of

the taskbar, point to the taskbar, point to Toolbars on the shortcut Toolbars on the shortcut menu, then click a taskbar menu, then click a taskbar it t l t d l t itit t l t d l t ititem to select or deselect ititem to select or deselect it

OROR•• RightRight--click a blank area of click a blank area of

th t kb th li kth t kb th li kthe taskbar, then click the taskbar, then click PropertiesProperties

•• In the Taskbar and Start In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog boxMenu Properties dialog boxMenu Properties dialog box, Menu Properties dialog box, click the appropriate click the appropriate options, then click Applyoptions, then click Apply

•• Click the Notifications Area Click the Notifications Area


tab, click the appropriate tab, click the appropriate options, then click OKoptions, then click OK

Customizing the Start MenuCustomizing the Start Menu

•• You can add shortcuts to programs, You can add shortcuts to programs, files or folders to the Start menufiles or folders to the Start menufiles or folders to the Start menufiles or folders to the Start menu

•• Adding too many items makes it clutteredAdding too many items makes it cluttered•• You can also display additional items onYou can also display additional items onYou can also display additional items on You can also display additional items on

the Start menuthe Start menu•• You can extend a submenu from the You can extend a submenu from the

Control Panel and other features that Control Panel and other features that provide additional features and optionsprovide additional features and options

•• Pinning items permanently places them inPinning items permanently places them in•• Pinning items permanently places them in Pinning items permanently places them in the left pane of the Start menu for easy the left pane of the Start menu for easy accessaccess


Customizing the Start MenuCustomizing the Start Menu(cont )(cont )(cont.)(cont.)

•• To customize the Start To customize the Start menu:menu:

•• Click the Start buttonClick the Start button

Pinned items

Click the Start button, Click the Start button, navigate to an item to pin to navigate to an item to pin to the Start menu, rightthe Start menu, right--click click the item, then click Pin to the item, then click Pin to Start menuStart menuStart menuStart menu

OROR•• RightRight--click the Start button click the Start button

on the taskbar, then click on the taskbar, then click PropertiesProperties

•• In the Taskbar and Start In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, Menu Properties dialog box, click the appropriate options, click the appropriate options, pp p p ,pp p p ,then click Customizethen click Customize

•• In the Customize Start Menu In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, click the dialog box, click the appropriate tabs andappropriate tabs and


appropriate tabs and appropriate tabs and options, then click OK twiceoptions, then click OK twice

R i St t M ItR i St t M ItRearranging Start Menu ItemsRearranging Start Menu Items

You can move an item to a differentYou can move an item to a different•• You can move an item to a different You can move an item to a different location on the Start menu by location on the Start menu by dragging itdragging itdragging itdragging it

•• A thick black line appears as you A thick black line appears as you move the mouse pointer whilemove the mouse pointer whilemove the mouse pointer while move the mouse pointer while dragging, indicating the new location dragging, indicating the new location of the itemof the itemof the itemof the item


Customizing Windows Customizing Windows Sid bSid bSidebarSidebar• • Windows Sidebar Windows Sidebar Windows SidebarWindows Sidebar is a pane on is a pane on

the side of the Windows Vista desktop that gives you the side of the Windows Vista desktop that gives you quick access to gadgets such as news headlines and quick access to gadgets such as news headlines and updates, slide shows, weather information, traffic updates, slide shows, weather information, traffic p , , ,p , , ,maps, Internet radio streams, and slide shows of maps, Internet radio streams, and slide shows of online photo albums.online photo albums.G d t i i li ti th t t t• Gadgets are mini-applications that can connect to Web services, such as an RSS feed (which automatically delivers Web content, such as headline news, to your desktop), or integrate with many of your applications, such as viewing your calendar.


Customizing Windows Customizing Windows Sidebar (cont )Sidebar (cont )Sidebar (cont.)Sidebar (cont.)

• You can customize Windows Sidebar to suit the way youSidebar to suit the way you work

• You can also move gadgets off the Windows Sidebaroff the Windows Sidebar and place them anywhere on your desktop.

• Windows Vista comes with a• Windows Vista comes with a set of gadgets to get you started.

• However you can easily G d• However, you can easily download more gadgets from an online gadget gallery. Click to download

Gadgets


gallery. gadgets online

Customizing Windows Customizing Windows ggSidebar (cont.)Sidebar (cont.)


S tti th D t d TiS tti th D t d TiSetting the Date and TimeSetting the Date and Time• • Programs use the date and time to establish Programs use the date and time to establish

when files and folders are created and modifiedwhen files and folders are created and modified•• The date and time appear in the lowerThe date and time appear in the lower--right corner right corner of the taskbarof the taskbarof the taskbarof the taskbar•• When you modify the time, you should also verify When you modify the time, you should also verify the time zone settingthe time zone setting•• You can also change the appearance of the dateYou can also change the appearance of the date•• You can also change the appearance of the date You can also change the appearance of the date and timeand time


Setting the Date and Time (cont.)Setting the Date and Time (cont.)•• To set the date and To set the date and

time:time:•• Open the ControlOpen the Control•• Open the Control Open the Control

Panel Panel •• Click the Clock, Click the Clock,

Language, and Language, and g g ,g g ,Region linkRegion link

•• Click the Set time and Click the Set time and date linkdate link

•• Click Change date Click Change date and time, change the and time, change the date and time, then date and time, then click OKclick OKclick OKclick OK

•• Click Change time Click Change time zone, specify a time zone, specify a time zone, then click OKzone, then click OK


,,•• Click OK Click OK

Adding and displaying Adding and displaying another clockanother clockanother clockanother clock

•• If you need to know the time in other time If you need to know the time in other time dd t dditi ldd t dditi lzones, you can add one or two additional zones, you can add one or two additional

clocks using the Additional Clocks tab in clocks using the Additional Clocks tab in the Date and Time dialog boxthe Date and Time dialog box

•• After you add a clock, you can display by After you add a clock, you can display by clicking or hovering over the taskbar clockclicking or hovering over the taskbar clock

•• To add a clock, click the taskbar clock, To add a clock, click the taskbar clock, , ,, ,click Change date and time settings, click click Change date and time settings, click the Additional Clocks tab, select the Show the Additional Clocks tab, select the Show this clock check box, select a time zone, this clock check box, select a time zone, , ,, ,enter a display name, then click OKenter a display name, then click OK


Documents

Microsoft Windows Vista Illustrated ... E.pdf · the taskbar, point to Toolbars on the shortcut menu, then click a taskbar it t l t d l t ititem to select or deselect it OR • RightRight--click