How to customize Windows 10 to the maximum and give it your personal style? Step by step guide

Behind every product launched by companies like Microsoft, Apple, Android and other big ones, there are tens or hundreds of designers working. They do it so that, in this case, the operating system is functional and at the same time elegant and tempting. However, about tastes there are no dislikes.

That is why many of operating systems offer the possibility to modify certain visual aspects of the same. In other words, customize interface elements.

There are different reasons why a person wants to change the visual of the system. For own pleasure would be perhaps the main one. Does anyone use the same default desktop wallpaper? Chances are not. But also for a practical matter, it is more efficient to group certain programs. If we talk about Windows, We will show you the customization possibilities.

What are all the aspects that we can customize in my Windows?

From the beginning we can say that many. It is one of the operating systems that allows more modifications to its interface. Sure, always within the limits set by the developer. To start we will name most of the aspects that can be customized.

We invite you to comment on which ones you think are missing from the list:

• Desktop image
• Windows Color
• Start Menu
• Taskbar
• Desktop icons
• Name of the team
• Multitasking mode
• Screen saver
• Theme
• Rainmeter Skins
• System sounds
• User Image

Steps to customize my Windows 10 desktop image

It is for sure, the first modification we make to the computer. If we used it as a child, the first wallpaper will have been a drawing made in Paint. Although the true revolution of funds came with XP Do you remember the green hill This is what you must do to change the wallpaper.

• The first method is to press the right mouse button on the background that we are going to change.
• Choose the option "Personalize". Not to be confused with "Screen settings".
• A window will open with different modifications available. To replace the previous image, press the button "Examine".
• Next, search through your images and select your new background.
• Press the button "Choose image".
• You don't need to touch anything else, the desktop image has already changed.

Within this menu, there are other options to change the background. Inside the dropdown "Background", you can choose a minimalist solid color. Also tell the system to change images from time to time.

Follow this combination of actions:

• For this choose the option "Presentation".
• Press "Examine" to choose the container file of these images.
• "Choose this folder" when you have decided.
• You can decide the time interval between images.
• If you want them to appear in random order, slide the button to "Activated".

The second method is easier, but without so many configuration options:

• You must know the location of the image file.
• Once in the corresponding file, right-click on the new background and select "Set as new desktop wallpaper".
• It will immediately become the new background image.

Learn how to set up multiple desktops in Windows 10 quickly and easily

That is why Windows 10 offers the possibility of use multiple desktops where you can order your windows. It is a new feature that few users take advantage of.

We will show you how to use and configure it:

• It is accessed from multitasking mode. Which is entered in two ways. Pressing the buttons "Start" + Tab or by pressing the corresponding button on the taskbar. If you can't see the latter, press the right button on the bar and choose "Show Task View button".
• After completing the previous step, you will be able to see how all the open windows are organized. At one end of the screen you will find the phrase "New desktop". Press it.
• By doing so all the ones you had will be housed in the "Desktop 1". Conversely, the "Desktop 2" will be free.
• You can continue to start new programs or drag some of the already open programs to the new desktop.

To configure some options of this new option, perform the following steps:

• Enter settings (in the start menu it is symbolized by a gear).
• Choose "System".
• In the sidebar, choose "Multitask".
• The modifications that correspond to the desks are at the end.
• Configure these options to see how the windows you use on each desktop are displayed.

How to Install Skins on the desktop with Rainmeter to make it original?

This tool allows you to add elements, outside the icons, to the desktop. Each set of them (Skins) are called Suites. And they can be downloaded from different sites. In addition to being visually appealing, every skin It fulfills a function, such as giving the time or displaying system information, among others.

In order to have this tool and use the different skins, continue with these steps:

• Login to rainmeter.net.
• Find the button "Download Final", we recommend it over "Beta".
• Once the download is complete, run the installer.

When the process is finished, the program will open automatically. The topic Illustrious is the one that comes as default. You can also see that several skins already appear on your desktop. You can keep and accommodate them in the place that you like the most or deactivate them and search for others Suites.

• To do this, first right-click on the box and select Unload skin or "Download skin" if you use the Spanish version. You must repeat this operation on all the boxes.
• Each Skin has different options at the same time. You can find them by right-clicking on one and selecting "Skin Manager".
• It is time to look for another suite room. Being free software, you can find topics on many pages. We recommend that you start by choosing one of deviantart.com/rainmeter. If you haven't already, register on the site.
• When you have chosen the theme or themes, click the download icon below each sample. As a recommendation, choose a particular file to save the Suites.
• After the download is complete, run the file and start the installation. When this is finished you can find the topic in the window of the "Skin Manager".

Many of these skins They collect information from the same operating system. Such as time, available disk space even CPU temperature. But in other cases, such as those that offer the climate, it is necessary to configure it by ourselves.

To do this you will have to:

• Right-click on the weather box (in this case). Choose the option "Edit skin".
• A text file will open. Find the line that starts with "Url", especially the one that indicates a "# WeatherCode #". We must replace this part with the code that corresponds to our location.

• Find this code on the site weather.com entering your location.
• Copy the code from the site address, and then replace the code in the text file. As figure in the picture.
• Save the changes and you will have configured your Weather Skin.

Change Windows 10 theme for quick and easy customization from scratch

To do this follow these steps:

• Use the shortcut "Start" + "I".
• From the side menu, choose "Themes".
• You will be able to see your current theme or the default Windows theme. If you want another press "Get more themes in Microsoft Store".
• Doing this will take you to the specialized tab of the store. Choose the one you like the most, most are free.
• With this you can have a preview of the images it contains. If you like it, press "Get". The download will start.
• When finished, it will already appear within your options in the tab "Themes". To use it, just select it.

Learn how to customize the Windows 10 start menu to give it your own style

The start menu is the window that is displayed when we press the Windows icon in the taskbar. It also has its own key on the keyboard, it usually has the operating system symbol. Not long ago, Microsoft decided to remove this menu, as we knew it before and now. In version 8 a new screen was accessed with all the programs.

With its update to 8.1 it returned and it is still used in 10. The design of this menu is of a simple and minimalist style, thought of the ease of finding and organizing the programs. For the latter, follow these steps.

To access the menu settings we must enter "Personalize" by right-clicking on the desktop:

• In the sidebar choose "Start". You will find in this window the following possibilities.
• To show more icons at the beginning.
• To show application list in the Start menu.
• View recently added applications.
• Show applications more used.
• Occasionally view tips in Home.
• Use fullscreen Start (Like Windows 8).
• To show recently opened items from the shortcut lists on Start or on the taskbar or in the File Explorer shortcut.

You can activate or deactivate each of the previous options. But it also offers us to organize and catalog the programs without leaving the menu:

• If you have an application that you don't use often and you want to remove it because it takes up space, you must right-click on it in the Start menu and a context menu will be displayed. Choose "Unpin from Start".
• Do the same to add a program, only opting for "Anchor to Start".
• You can change the size of each box in this menu. There are four sizes depending on the application. Large, Wide, Medium and Small.
• By grouping programs, you can change or add a name to the category. Press the two horizontal lines above to do it.

How to customize the taskbar of my Windows 10 computer?

Since its inception, the taskbar has accompanied Microsoft operating systems. Version 10 is no exception. Like the previous items, this one can also be personalized.

Do the following:

• To start, we will change the size and location of it. Press the right button on the bar and deactivate "Lock taskbar".
• Then you can drag and drop it to either end of the screen. It is also possible to widen it, from the outer edge.
• By pressing the secondary click on it again, you can access "Taskbar Settings".

In this window you can:

• Lock bar homework.
• In desktop mode, automatically hide the taskbar.
• In tablet mode, automatically hide application icons on the taskbar.
• Use small buttons in the task bar.
• Use Glance to preview the desktop by moving your mouse to the Show Desktop button at the bottom of the taskbar.
• Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu by right-clicking the Start button or pressing Windows key + X.
• Show notifications on the buttons on the taskbar. Choose the location of the on-screen taskbar.

Find out how to make the taskbar transparent in W10 step by step

A small change that will make the Windows interface even friendlier is turning on the transparency effects. To achieve this, follow these steps:

• Press Windows Key + i. The configuration menu will open.
• Choose "Personalization".
• In the sidebar, choose "Colors".
• Activate the slider "Effects of transparency". This will make the bar semi-translucent.

If you want to make it 100% colorless, you can download the TranslucentTB program from the Microsoft Store. It is a free tool.

Discover how to customize all the icons on your desktop and other folders

Let's start with deeper customization. If what you want is to change the desktop icons and leave Windows with your style follow these steps:

Without programs

To do it without using any external tool, you should take the trouble to change one by one the icons of folders and programs:

• Choose the item you want to customize. Press on it with the right mouse button.
• At the end of the list press "Properties".
• Go to the tab "Personalize".
• Do the same with the button "Change icon".
• A small window will open with a variety of images that come with the system. You can choose between them. But if you want to use another one, you can download it from the Internet. There are many pages that offer packages of .ICO files that will serve you.
• Repeat with each item you want to customize.

With IconPackager

It is an external tool that contains and facilitates the change of icons of the system as a whole. In order to carry out this process you need, in principle, said software and a package of themes of your choice that you can find on the Internet:

• Once downloaded and installed, open the program.
• Go to the tab Look & Feel.
• Choose "Add icon Package" and inside this "Install from disk …".
• The file explorer will open, directing you to the location of the downloaded theme and press "Open".
• After doing so, you will see this package at the bottom of the program.
• Select it and you can preview it.
• If it convinces you, press the button "Apply changes" at the top right of the window.

It's that simple to make changes with IconPackager.

Learn how to download and install custom cursors for your mouse

To make this change, you need to first download a pack of cursors or pointers. As they are very light files, many options usually come in compressed files. You can find them on different websites. We recommend that you use YouTube, since you can view them before downloading.

To change the standard cursors for custom ones follow these steps:

• Press the Start menu button and type "Change the appearance or speed of the mouse pointer".
• Choose the recommended option.
• In the tab "Pointers".
• Select the cursor you want to change (each one indicates a different function) and press "Examine".
• Locate the file where the pack you downloaded is located. And choose the replacement by pressing "Open".
• Press "Apply" to see how it looks and "To accept" to end.
• Repeat the process if you want to change the other types of cursors.

Find out how to install and resize system fonts

Predetermining a source like that of the system is a tedious and very complicated operation. You have to create log files, modify codes and always run the risk of not being able to go back.

Therefore we recommend that you use the tool Advanced System Font Changer. It is portable and free:

• Open the program and choose the tab "Font". There you will see the different elements that can be modified. Among them, the typography of the Menu or the Title Bar.
• Choose the font, style and size you want.
• Press "To accept".
• Then "Apply".
• There is a chance that you will regret it and want to go back to the original style. For it:
• Go to the tab "Advanced" inside the program.
• Press the button "Default". That will be enough to go back to the previous version.

Steps to activate the screen saver on my Windows 10 computer

It is important not to confuse the term "Screen saver" with the of "Lock screen". The first refers to the image or animation that will appear after a period of inactivity on the keyboard or mouse. Instead, the second indicates the interface where we choose our user on the computer. This screen appears when you log out or when you turn on your computer.

To activate and choose the protector do the following:

• Key Windows + I
• Personalization
• In the sidebar choose "Lock screen".
• One of the final options is "Screen Saver Settings", click there.
• A small window will open. Change none for the option you choose. They offer everything from animations to an empty screen. It includes the possibility of displaying photographs on slides.
• You can configure items such as which photos to use or waiting to activate them.
• To finish, press "To accept".

Learn how to activate the clipboard in the cloud in Windows 10 to backup your data step by step

He copy and paste is a function that has made it easy for all users. Created by Larry Tesler in 1983 and applied on Apple computers, it is used today on almost all systems. To take this to another level, Windows has created the shared clipboard. That allows you to copy an item to a device and paste it to another that has the same user.

In order to use it, it is necessary that both devices have the S.O. and share the Microsoft account:

• The first thing you have to do to activate this function is access the settings. Do it with Windows Button + I.
• Choose "System".
• In the sidebar do the same with "Clipboard".
• Active "Synchronize between devices". With this done you can copy a text or image and paste it on another computer or tablet.

How to change the name of the team to establish a custom one?

The computer name is assigned automatically when you install the operating system. Usually it is usually desktop followed by an alphanumeric code. Changing this name can not only be for an aesthetic matter.

If you have multiple networked computers, This modification will be useful to identify them:

• Enter the configuration menu. (Windows + I).
• Choose "System".
• At the end of the list on the left is "About". Enter there.
• You can see the equipment specifications, including the name. Below these is the button "Change the name of this team". By entering there you can rename it.
• Please note that only letters, numbers and hyphens are allowed. Not so the spaces.
• Press "Following" and "To accept" And the next time you turn on your PC it will be under a new computer name.

Learn how to configure multitasking mode to get the most out of it

Windows 10 has a tool called multitasking mode or task view. It allows us to view all open windows, as well as desktops and a history of used programs. To access this mode you have to press the button found in the taskbar or through its shortcut "Windows" + "Tab".

In turn, this mode can be configured to fit more with your needs. To do it:

• Press "Windows" + "I".
• Do the same with "System".
• In the left panel choose "Multitask"

Within this new menu we will find the following configuration options:

• "Dock windows". It allows the visualization of several windows in parallel. Activating this option we will only have to drag a window to one edge or another of the screen and it will be docked.
• "When you dock a window, automatically adjust to take up the available space." Activating this, the next window that we select after coupling the first one, will adjust to the available space on the screen.
• "When I anchor a window, show what I can anchor next to it". By docking the first one, the system will show the available windows to occupy the other space.
• "When changing the size of a docked window, change the size of the adjacent docked window at the same time". The width of one window will be adjusted to that of the other if we modify it.
• "Show suggestions on the timeline." Allows or not the display of the history of used programs.
• The following options refer to the use of more than one virtual desktop. To add a new desktop we must enter the multitasking function and press "New desktop". This will create a completely free one of the programs that we have open. In this way we can organize, if we wish, the tools we are using into categories.