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It's easy to change the appearance of your Desktop.
Right click anywhere on your Desktop and select "Properties". In the dialogue box that appears, click on the DISPLAY tab. From there you can scroll through the list of images Windows XP has provided. (I imagine a similar set is available with Vista, but since I haven't used Vista myself you're just going to have to try it out.) Make your selection, click on Apply, then click OK to set it in place.
Of course, you probably prefer to use one of your own photographs from your hard drive. No problem! When you reach the Display dialogue box, instead of clicking on one of the supplied graphics, you click on Browse. From the window that opens you may browse your own files and folders, click on the picture you want, then click Open. That will take you back to the Display/Properties window and you will see a preview of your new Desktop. Once again, you need only click Apply then OK to set in in place.
I've posted a copy of my own Desktop at the foot of this article. You should note that, although a lot of programs are open (see the bottom of the image) the Desktop itself is completely uncluttered. It shows only the Recycle Bin and two folders—named "U3A" and "CC". These contain material I'm currently working on for U3A and an on-line chess site called chess.com. There is nothing else on the Desktop.
Keeping a clear Desktop has a number of advantages, not least being the shorter boot-up time whenever you turn on your computer. The less clutter, the quicker it boots. It's also less difficult to find what you need if your Desktop is clear. You don't have to search through a myriad of icons. And, finally, if your Desktop is clear you can easily save whatever you're currently working with to the Desktop to make it easier to find. (I use the Desktop when working with e-mail attachments, or Paint Shop Pro graphics, but always return or delete them at the end of the session.)_
 My own desktop uses a photograph taken along Victoria's Great Ocean Road. |