Backgrounds and Screensavers

Desktop Background

The desktop background is the image you see on your screen when no program is open. This can be a default image (eg the Windows logo), a single photo which you select, or a set of photos which can change at intervals.

To change the background:

  1. Click on the Start Button and select Settings.

  2. Select Personalization/Background (shortcut - Right Click on the desktop background, select Personalize).

  3. Choose the location of your pictures then select one or more pictures which you want to use as your background

  4. If you've selected multiple photos, decide how often you want them to change (don't change too frequently as it can be a bit distracting).

  5. Decide the Picture Position (eg Fill or Tile) which you want for your photos.

  6. Save changes.

Screen Saver

The screen saver is the changing image which you see if your computer hasn't been used for a while. It is intended to prevent damage to the screen which can be caused by having a fixed image on display for a long period of time (see notes below). You can create a slide show using your own photos as your screen saver.

To change the screen saver:

  1. Click on the Start Button and select Control Panel.

  2. Select Appearance and Personalization, select Change screen saver (shortcut - Right Click on the desktop background, select Personalize/Screen Saver).

  3. Under Screen saver, select Windows Live Photo Gallery then click on Settings and choose the folder which contains the images you want to use for your screen saver.

  4. Select how long you want your computer to wait before starting the screensaver. Click OK.

Notes:

  • All the images for the screen saver have to be in the same folder

  • Screen savers were originally designed to protect old style computer monitors and are much less necessary with modern monitors or laptops. They are primarily for entertainment purposes nowadays.

  • Screen savers use energy and reduce the lifetime of your monitor. If you are going to be away from your computer for a while, switch off the monitor or send the computer to sleep.