Most of the Windows environment and style can be modified from within the Control Panel. Display settings are saved when you shut down Windows. The same settings apply the next time you switch on the computer.

When would I customize my display?

Change the display settings when you want to adjust your computer environment to fit your needs and preferences. Make yourself at home!

1.     Change the desktop background to be a different color or pattern. You can also place         pictures on the background.

2.     Change the screen saver. Screen savers prolong the life of your screen. Choose from        the screen savers available with Windows or load one of your own.

3.     Change the screen area, or display resolution. Increase this setting to display more         information on your screen. All icons and windows on the desktop will be smaller. The         allowable screen area range is dependent on the video adaptor in your computer and         the monitor

How do I customize my display?

Open the Display Properties window from the Start menu:

1.     Click the "Start" menu, "Settings," then "Control Panel."

2.     Double-click the "Display" icon in the Control Panel window.

Open the Display Properties window from the desktop:

1.     RIGHT-click an empty space of the desktop.

2.     Click "Properties" on the menu that appears

Change the desktop background:

1.     Open the Display Properties window (see above.)

2.     Click the "Background" tab at the top of the window.

3.     Click on the picture files in the "Wallpaper" box at the bottom of the window. The         picture of the monitor in the top half of the window displays a preview of the         different background pictures.

4.     Click "Browse" to find and set another picture file to be displayed as the background.

5.     Click the arrow under "Display" in the lower right area of the window.

6.     Click "Tile" for smaller pictures. Click "Stretch" for larger pictures that do not fill the         entire screen. Click "Center" to place a single unmodified version of the picture in the         middle of the screen.

7.     (Windows 98 allows you to use HTML files as well as picture files.)

8.     Click "OK."

Change the screen saver:

1.     Open the Display Properties window (see above.)

2.     Click the "Screen Saver" tab at the top of the window.

3.     Click the small black arrow in the middle of the screen under "Screen Saver."

4.     Click the small arrows by the "Wait" field to set the number of minutes with now         keyboard or mouse usage before the screen save activates.

5.     Click "OK."

Change the screen area (display resolution):

1.     Open the Display Properties window (see above.)

2.     Click the "Settings" tab at the top of the window.

3.     Click and hold the LEFT mouse button on the slider switch in the "Screen Area" box.

4.     The picture of the monitor in the top half of the window displays a preview of the         different resolutions.

5.     Click "OK," but wait! If you decrease your screen area, icons and windows are larger         and easier to see. When the desktop becomes enlarged this way, some items might         find themselves positioned beyond the borders of the screen!

You can also change icons and visual effects in the "Effects" tab of the Display Properties window. Windows 98 includes a "Web" tab for modifying the Active Desktop. If you use the Active Desktop, your desktop acts like a web page.