o How to Configure Desktop Themes in Windows XP
   o Foood's Icons
   o DotIco


   o DeskMod
   o Gort's Icons
   o Iconfactory


   I'm constantly fussing with my computer by changing the desktop
   settings. Every few days I add new icons or another background photo.
   I can't help myself. I use the computer every day and I get bored if


   desktop that totally personalize your computer without much effort at
   all. You'll learn how to customize desktop icons, icons on the Quick

   all. You'll learn how to customize desktop icons, icons on the Quick
   Launch bar, and some file-type icons for the entire system. I'll also


   all. You'll learn how to customize desktop icons, icons on the Quick
   Launch bar, and some file-type icons for the entire system. I'll also
   show you how to change the desktop background and then save the


What Is an Icon?

   An icon is a small image displayed on the screen to represent an
   object that can be manipulated by the user. Icons serve as visual


   An icon is a small image displayed on the screen to represent an
   object that can be manipulated by the user. Icons serve as visual
   mnemonics (devices that help you remember) and let you control certain


   I like this definition. It hints at what makes icon customization
   work. The visual mnemonic is yours, especially if you're the only one


   information on setting up user accounts, see Sharing Your Computer.)
   As long as you remember what it represents, you can make the icon
   anything you like. Because you defined the icon, you know what it


   As long as you remember what it represents, you can make the icon
   anything you like. Because you defined the icon, you know what it
   means and the visual mnemonic works.


   Before we can get started changing icons, we need to find some icons

   Before we can get started changing icons, we need to find some icons
   we like. There are tons of icons available for download on the Web.


   Before we can get started changing icons, we need to find some icons
   we like. There are tons of icons available for download on the Web.
   Your favorite search engine should provide a number of places to


   Your favorite search engine should provide a number of places to
   download icons. Some of my favorite sources include DotIco, DeskMod,
   Gort's Icons, and the Iconfactory. As examples in this column, I'll be


   download icons. Some of my favorite sources include DotIco, DeskMod,
   Gort's Icons, and the Iconfactory. As examples in this column, I'll be
   using some great icons from Foood's Icons.


   Gort's Icons, and the Iconfactory. As examples in this column, I'll be
   using some great icons from Foood's Icons.

   using some great icons from Foood's Icons.
   Top of page Top of page


Create Icons Folder

   After you download the icons, you'll need to put them someplace where
   you can leave them untouched. Wherever you decide to create this


   folder, you'll want it to be easy to find--you'll have to navigate to
   it several times. I've created a folder in My Documents called Icons
   and store all my icons there.


   it several times. I've created a folder in My Documents called Icons
   and store all my icons there.

   Now that I have some icons to choose from, I have to decide what icons

   Now that I have some icons to choose from, I have to decide what icons
   I want to change. In this column, I'll show you how to customize the


   I want to change. In this column, I'll show you how to customize the
   following icons:
   o


   All icons on the desktop.
   o


   Icons on the Quick Launch bar.
   o


   Some of the file-type icons for the entire system.

   Note: there are shareware and freeware applications available that can
   streamline icon changes (Stardock's IconPackager, for instance),
   making is super simple and easy to change everything. In this column


Customize Desktop Icons

   Here's what the icons on my desktop look like before any changes. Note
   that there are the standard icons (My Computer, My Documents, and the


   Here's what the icons on my desktop look like before any changes. Note
   that there are the standard icons (My Computer, My Documents, and the
   Recycle Bin, plus a folder called Miscellaneous, and two shortcuts.


To customize the default desktop icons

   In the Desktop Items dialog box, shown in figure 3, select the icon
   you want to change and click Change Icon. The Change Icon dialog box


   In the Desktop Items dialog box, shown in figure 3, select the icon
   you want to change and click Change Icon. The Change Icon dialog box

   you want to change and click Change Icon. The Change Icon dialog box
   opens, which shows all icons in the currently selected file. In it,


   you want to change and click Change Icon. The Change Icon dialog box
   opens, which shows all icons in the currently selected file. In it,
   you can specify which icons are shown on the desktop by default. I


   opens, which shows all icons in the currently selected file. In it,
   you can specify which icons are shown on the desktop by default. I
   selected the My Computer, My Documents, and Recycle Bin icons.


   you can specify which icons are shown on the desktop by default. I
   selected the My Computer, My Documents, and Recycle Bin icons.
   Figure 3


   To select from icons not currently displayed, click Browse, and in the
   Change Icon dialog box, navigate to the icons you downloaded, select


   To select from icons not currently displayed, click Browse, and in the
   Change Icon dialog box, navigate to the icons you downloaded, select

   Change Icon dialog box, navigate to the icons you downloaded, select
   the icon you want to use, click Open, and then click OK


   Change Icon dialog box, navigate to the icons you downloaded, select
   the icon you want to use, click Open, and then click OK

   In the Desktop Items dialog box, select the next icon you want to
   change and repeat steps 3-4.


   When you're finished changing the icons listed here, click OK, and in
   the Desktop Properties dialog box, click OK to apply the changes.


   I changed only the My Computer and My Document icons, as shown in the
   figure below, leaving the Recycle Bin as-is.


   Now let's change the rest of the icons on the desktop, starting with
   the Miscellaneous folder.


To customize a folder icon

   On the Customize tab, click Change icon.

   In the Change Icon dialog box, click Browse, navigate to the new icon

   In the Change Icon dialog box, click Browse, navigate to the new icon
   you want to use, select it, and then click Open.


To customize a shortcut icon

   On the Shortcut tab, click Change Icon.

   In the Change Icon dialog box, click Browse, navigate to the new icon

   In the Change Icon dialog box, click Browse, navigate to the new icon
   you want to use, select it, and then click Open.


   Beginning to see a pattern here? In each of these cases, changing the
   icon happens in--wait for it--the Change Icon dialog box. This is true

   icon happens in--wait for it--the Change Icon dialog box. This is true
   in the next procedure as well.


Customize Quick Launch Bar Icons

   In the first screenshot of my desktop, you see that I enabled the
   Quick Launch bar. All the icons that appear there can be customized as
   well. In fact, these icons are really just shortcuts, so the procedure


   Quick Launch bar. All the icons that appear there can be customized as
   well. In fact, these icons are really just shortcuts, so the procedure
   to change them is identical.


To customize Quick Launch bar icons

   Right-click the Quick Launch icon you want to change, and then click
   Properties.


   On the Shortcut tab, click Change Icon.

   In the Change Icon dialog box, click Browse, navigate to the new icon

   In the Change Icon dialog box, click Browse, navigate to the new icon
   you want to use, select it, and then click Open.


Customize File-Type Icons

   Files with a common file extension (.doc, .html, and so on) are the
   same file type. The icons for file types aren't accessible
   individually, but it's still possible to change them. Since most of my


   individually, but it's still possible to change them. Since most of my
   work has to do with the Web, I'll customize a small set of icons
   specific to those file types that I work with often. The figure below


   shows a folder with a few files for which I'll change the file type
   icons, and again I'll use a few of Foood's Icons.

   icons, and again I'll use a few of Foood's Icons.
   Figure 5


To change file type icons

   In the Edit File Type dialog box, click Change Icon.

   In the Change Icon dialog box, click Browse, and navigate to the new
   icon you want to use, select it, and then click Open.


   In the Change Icon dialog box, click Browse, and navigate to the new
   icon you want to use, select it, and then click Open.

   Ok, so the icons have been changed. That was the tough part. Now I'll
   change the desktop background. First I need to find an image that I


   I want a standard location to save the images to, just like with
   custom icons. For this example, I've created a folder called Wallpaper
   in the My Pictures folder in My Documents. When I download images, I