While it is true, Windows 7 It is one of the most famous versions of Microsoft's operating system, despite the fact that it is not the most current of all. Well, beyond the advantages it provides W10, many users have chosen to continue using W7, due to its high compatibility with different devices.
That is why, at this time, a large number of people continue looking for solutions to acquire an optimal user experience on your Windows 7 PC, especially in terms of personalization. Since, in this way, they can work more comfortably on your computer and achieve the look you want for your OS.
Consequently, it can be stated that Windows 7 Desktop it is one of the most important aspects to obtain an improvement of the user experience at the personalization level. Therefore, below, we will teach you What is this Windows utility about, what are all its sections in W7 and how can it be styled correctly?.
What is the Windows 7 desktop and what is this section of the operating system for?
Basically the windows desktop It is the first screen that appears after the operating system loads. Therefore, it can be defined as that interface that has been created in order to generate a space with easy access to programs, applications and all the operations available on a computer.
In that sense, the W7 desktop refers to the main area of the screen that is displayed after turning on the machine and logging in. From this graphical interface, users can have various folders, files, icons, charms, programs and toolbars. Therefore, it serves to organize the main part of the OS, according to the requirements of each user.
In other words, it can be said that, the W7 desktop works like the top of a real office desk. Since, it serves as a work surface to open the folders or programs that are the elements that are shown in the initial part, by default and well, start an action. Thus, it is a section that acts as the main point of user activity in the operating system.
What are all the sections on the Windows 7 desktop?
Now, to better understand what the Windows 7 desktop operation, it is essential to know what are all the parts that make it up.
Therefore, below, we mention what these sections are and what they consist of:
- Start Menu: Consists of a graphical list of shortcuts to different functions, such as the most common OS programs, applications and options. Which is, specifically, through the button located in the corner of the left part that is known as "Start button".
- Taskbar: Refers to the horizontal bar that occupies the lower part of the desktop and is used to get, manage and control the installed applications. It is generally made up of the pinned programs bar and the quick launch bar.
- Notification area: This is an element where you can see the date and time that the equipment has, as well as the network connection icon, sound icons, and screen resolution settings. Thus, it is located to the right of the whole.
- The icons: Are those miniatures that represent programs, files or folders which can be entered by just double clicking on them. These are distributed across the desk of Windows 7 and they support a good level of customization.
- The Gadgets: One of the biggest novelties of the desktop Windows 7 which basically allows view extra OS utilities to improve its appearance. Be it a speed meter, a calendar, a clock, etc.
- Desktop background: It is the most notable section of the desktop W7, since, it refers to the environment in which you work. It is also known as "Screen".
Learn step by step how to customize the Windows 7 desktop
Once you understand what the desk of this version of the operating system Microsoft, surely you want to know how you can customize it to the fullest in order to enjoy a more optimal, comfortable and pleasant user experience in your PC.
Therefore, below, we explain in detail what are the parameters that allow you to style the OS and how you should do it:
Change wallpaper
Since the wallpaper is the most visible item on the desktop of W7, it is also the most customizable. Which, is mostly known as "desktop wallpaper" and supports color changes, as well as further customization through a different photograph or image.
To adapt it to your liking, you must follow these steps:
- Located in your desk, right-click on any empty area. There, in the menu that is observed, choose "Customize".
- Then at the bottom of the new window, click on the section "Desktop Background".
- After that, you can choose your new wallpaper or background, among the different sections available. If you prefer to place a photo or image of yourself, press the "Browse" button and select it.
- Finally, just subtract click on "Save changes", to be able to see your new desktop background.
Put in light or dark mode
It is no secret to anyone that it is increasingly fashionable enable dark mode on any device and therefore on Windows 7 there is also the possibility of doing it for customize the look of the desktop for that operating system.
This, using the new Microsoft browser that has dark mode and is activated as follows:
- First that everything, access the system menu, from the start menu.
- After of it, click on "Settings" and proceed to select the option "Appearance".
- By last, you only have to choose "dark mode", "light mode" or the "default".
Customize shortcut icons
Luckily in Windows 7 you can also customize the icons system desktop and shortcuts, without affecting the files or programs associated with them.
As for the process that has to be followed to carry it out, it consists of:
- First of all, find the icon you want to modify and right-click on it. Then, select the option "Properties".
- Then, in the Shortcut tab, choose "Change icon" and proceed to select the icon you want to customize, to click again on "Change icon …".
- At this point, you can choose one of the default icons offered by the operating system or look for another icon through the "Browse" button.
- In case you want to use the icon of a program, you have to write the path of said program in the name". To do so, click on "Open".
- Once you have chosen the icon that you like the most, click on "OK" twice (where applicable) and that way, the process to save the changes made will end.
Customize taskbar
To adapt the look of the W7 desktop to your liking, the OS also offers you the possibility of enhance or customize the taskbar. Either to establish the way in which the open programs will be displayed, choose the type of icons, configure the toolbars, etc.
In this case, the process to follow is about:
- Initially, you have to access the properties window and for that, simply press any area of the taskbar with the right mouse button and select the option "Properties" within the drop-down menu.
- Once this is done, the properties window corresponding to the w7 taskbar and you can start with optimize the appearance of it. For that, it allows you to lock or hide it, use small icons, change its location and set certain buttons for it.
- In addition, it is also accurate customize notification area, choosing what you prefer to appear in it (in terms of icons and notifications).
- Finally, you can also define if you want use Aero Peek to preview the desktop.
- To save all the changes made, simply press the "OK" button.
Modify mouse pointer
It is also possible change the appearance of the mouse pointer on your PC with Windows 7. This being a utility that many users turn to to improve their experience, with the aim that the main element to carry out the different tasks, look just how they want.
To modify it, you have to follow these steps:
- Click the start button and in the search box, enter the term "mouse". Thus, the system will provide you with the corresponding search result, in which only you have to click.
- After that, the Mouse Properties page will open and there, you must click on the section that says "Pointers".
- Then, from the Personalize section, proceed to choose pointer function (as "Normal Selection") and press the "Browse" button to choose the new cursor image.
- Done the above, it only remains click "Apply" to store the changes made and finally click on "OK".
Modify folder icons
In Windows 7 and, practically in all versions, the icon of the folders in the operating system has been the same since the launch of Windows Vista. Thus, to acquire a more personalized user experience, many choose to modify these icons on their PC and without using third-party tools.
That is, through the following step by step:
- First of all, go to the folder that you want to customize from its icon and right click on it, to select the option "Properties".
- When the Properties dialog box opens, instead of using the General section, you must press the "Customize" section.
- Then go to the section that says "Folder icons" and click on the button that indicates "Change icon".
- Subsequently, you have to choose a folder icon from the default options or click "Examine" in order to use a custom icon.
- Once you choose the icon in question, it only remains click on "OK" and then on "Apply" to get the folder icon change you preferred.
Change Windows sounds
Another important aspect to personalize your computer W7 to a greater degree, it refers to modify the sounds that the system makes, by nature. That is, those sounds that are played when you receive a message, start the OS or log out, for example.
In this case, you will have to do what we indicate here:
- Initially, enter the window of Control Panel from your PC and click on "Hardware and Sound".
- Followed by that, look for the option that says "Change system sounds" and select it. There, click on the "Sound" section.
- At this point, you will come across several available settings that you can customize to your liking. So in the list box "Combination of sounds" you can choose what you like the most (Windows default, No sounds, etc.).
- Additionally, if you want to set a sound to a certain event, you have to go to "Program events" and choose the one you want to sound when the event occurs.
- For use sounds that are not included in Windows 7, you just have to click on the "Browse" button, navigate to the folder containing the file and select it by double clicking.
Personalize the lock screen
Unfortunately, in Windows 7 the background of the lock screen is always the same and before this, many users wonder if it can be changed. Fortunately, making use of the Windows Registry, it is possible to customize it to place the image you prefer.
However, before indicating which are the steps to follow for this, it is necessary to note that the image to be used must have certain characteristics, such as: It cannot weigh more than 256 KB, has to be in JPG format and your name must contain the term "Background" plus your screen resolution.
Having clarified this, we specify the steps to follow:
- Proceed to open the Windows 7 start menu and in the search field, enter the word "regedit" to be able to execute the Windows Registry Editor.
- After this, among all the available folders, you have to navigate to the one named "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Authentication LogonUI Background ”, specifically.
- In case the folder does not exist Background, you must choose to create it by right clicking on "LogonUI", selecting the option "New" and then "Key".
- Then when you are in the folder Background, right click on it and click on the option "New". Then select "DWORD value" and give it the following name "OEMBackground".
- After doing the above, right click on the value you just created and select "Modify" to place the value "one" instead of .
- Then close Regedit and open the Windows 7 File Explorer, to be able to navigate to "% windir% System32 oobe info backgrounds ". In case the last two folders don't exist yet, you have to create them.
- Now, you must save the image destined for your lock screen, in the folder "backgrounds". To make these changes, you have to close and reopen the session. That's it.
Add new functionalities
Typically, computer operating systems Microsoft They have a series of functions that are activated by default. However, it also contains other functionalities that have not been enabled in the operating system and, therefore, users cannot make use of them. As a consequence, it is necessary to add new utilities to Windows 7 with only enable or disable certain OS features.
Here we explain how you have to do it:
- From the W7 desktop, click the button Start for open this menu and search for "Control Panel".
- Once you are in the window corresponding to the Control Panel, It's time to click on the option "Programs".
- After that, in the new window and specifically in the section that indicates "Programs and characteristics", click on "Enable or disable Windows features".
- When you do the above, automatically will open a new pop-up window in which all the features what are active and the ones no. To add new features, proceed to mark on the left each one that you think is convenient and voila.