Maximum PC - UK (2019-09)

01

Tools of the Trade

Many of the tips in this feature can

be applied with the help of two powerful

tweaking tools, so start by downloading

both Ultimate Windows Tweaker (https://

bit.ly/uwt-10—you’ll find links to Windows

7 and 8.1 versions here, too) and Winaero

Tweaker (https://winaero.com/download.

php?view.1796). Once downloaded, extract

the contents of the ZIP files—Ultimate

Windows Tweaker runs as a portable app,

and Winaero Tweaker gives you the option

of installing it in portable form, too.

02

Quickly Access Windows’

Personalization Settings

To start customizing, right-click the

desktop and choose “Personalize” to jump

straight to “Settings > Personalization >

Background.” From here, you can change

your background to a picture, a solid color,

or a slideshow of photos within a single

folder on your PC.

03

Customize Your

Desktop Background

If you’re dissatisfied with Windows’ rather

meager desktop background offerings,

download and install John’s Background

Switcher from https://bit.ly/johnbckswtch

for more choice—after installation, you’re

directed to the “Add” button, where you

define sources for your photos. These

can include specific folders on your PC as

well as various online sources (including

Dropbox and OneDrive folders, plus RSS

feeds, Instagram, Google, and Flickr).

You’ll see several switching options

at the bottom of the main window—pay

attention to the “Picture Mode” drop-

down, where you can display multiple

photos at once in various ways. There’s

also a ‘“More” button for fine-tuning all

aspects of this clever background tool.

04

Override Color Scheme

Windows automatically changes

the color scheme of desktop items to

match the background, but you can

also force your own choice of color via

“Settings > Personalization > Colors.”

You can switch between light and dark

modes here, too.

05

Create Custom

Color Palette

Fed up w ith hav ing to click “Cus tom C olor”

to choose a different one to Windows’ own

offerings? Fire up Winaero Tweaker and

go to “Appearance > Custom Accents,”

where you can define up to eight custom

colors of your own. These appear under

“Recent Colors” in the “Personalization”

dialog box for easy access.

06

Pick a Theme

The quickest way to change

your desktop appearance is through the

“Themes” section under “Settings >

Personalization.” Several are provided,

or click “Get More Themes in Microsoft

Store” to browse hundreds more—click

“Get” followed by “Install” to add one to

your collection. Some themes change

the mouse pointer and desktop icons—

you can prevent them from doing so in

Winaero Tweaker under “Appearance >

Theme Behavior.”

07

Change Your

Account Picture

Open a photo of yourself in an image editor

like Paint.NET (www.getpaint.net), then

crop in to a headshot (make the selection

tool 1:1 for a perfectly square crop), and

save the image. Now navigate to “Start

> Settings > Accounts,” and click your

current photo under “Your Info” to select

the new one. Previous shots are kept,

enabling you to switch between them.

08

Set Up a Screensaver

Energy-saving LCD monitors

have largely rendered screensavers

redundant, but if you’re still hankering

after one, head to “Personalization >

Lock Screen,” then scroll down and

click “Screensaver Settings” to set one

Desktop, Task bar, & Start Menu

John’s Background Switcher is per fec t for adding more pizzazz to your desk top backdrop.

Winaero Tweaker provides

dozens of t weak s to help you

customize your PC’s appearance.

©^

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customize Windows

34 MAXIMUMPC SEP 2019 maximumpc.com