4 Ways to Change the Desktop Wallpaper in Windows

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 13:47

This article shows you how to change the desktop background image of a computer running Windows. Read on to find out how.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Windows 10

Step 1. Select an empty spot on the desktop with the right mouse button

A small context menu will appear.

Step 2. Choose the Customize option

It should be the last option on the menu starting from the top.

Step 3. Select the Background item

It is located in the upper left of the page that appeared.

Step 4. Access the drop-down menu named "Background"

It will give you the option to choose one of the following options:

• Image. Allows you to select an image to use as a desktop background. After choosing this item you can press the Browse button to access your computer hard drive and select the desired image. You can also use the "Image Position" drop-down menu to change the way your chosen image is shown (eg full screen, centered, etc.).

  

• Solid color. Allows you to choose a color tone with which to color the entire desktop background (for example gray, white, blue, etc.).

  

• Presentation. This feature allows you to show a selection of images in the "Pictures" folder as your desktop background and view them as if they were a slide show. You can change the source of your photos by simply pressing the Browse button and selecting a new folder.

  

Step 5. Close the "Personalization" window

Simply click on the icon in the shape of X located in the upper right corner of the window. Your chosen desktop background options will be applied automatically.

Method 2 of 4: Windows 7 and Windows 8

Step 1. Select an empty spot on the desktop with the right mouse button

A small context menu will appear.

Step 2. Choose the Customize option

It should be the last option on the menu starting from the top.

Step 3. Choose the Desktop Background option

It should be located in the lower left of the "Personalization" window.

Step 4. Choose an image

This way the selected photo will be used as a desktop background.

• You can also select the option "Windows desktop wallpaper" from the drop-down menu "Image path" to be able to choose between a collection of different images (for example stored in the "Images" folder).
• If you are looking for a particular image to use as a background, press the button "Browse".
• By selecting two or more images (using the relative check button in the upper left corner of the preview) they will be used as a rotating background, based on the time interval chosen to perform the replacement. It is also possible to change this last aspect through the menu "Change image every:", together with the style of the transition to be adopted.

Step 5. Access the "Image Position" drop-down menu

Inside you will find some options for positioning the image on the desktop. Here are some of the most used:

• "Fill". The chosen image will be displayed in full screen.
• "Tile". Many small thumbnails of the chosen image will be used to cover the entire surface of the desktop forming a grid.
• "Center". The selected image will be displayed in the center of the desktop surrounded by black borders.

Step 6. Choose the option you prefer

This will cause the selected photo to appear in a different location on the desktop.

Step 7. When done, hit the Save Changes button

It is located in the lower right part of the "Desktop Background" window. Any changes made to the configuration settings will be saved and applied.

Method 3 of 4: Windows Vista

Step 1. Select an empty spot on the desktop with the right mouse button

A small context menu will appear.

Step 2. Choose the Customize option

It should be the last option on the menu starting from the top.

Step 3. Select the Desktop Background item

This is the second link from the top of the window that appeared.

Step 4. Choose an image

This way the selected photo will be used as a desktop background.

• You can also select the option "Windows desktop wallpaper" from the drop-down menu "Image path" to be able to choose between a different collection of images (for example stored in the "Images" folder).
• If you are looking for a particular image to use as a background, press the button "Browse".

Step 5. Choose one of the options related to the positioning of the chosen image

This section is called "How should the image be positioned?". The options available (from left to right) allow you to view the chosen image in full screen, in a series of small thumbnails placed side by side in the form of a grid or centered.

Step 6. Press the OK button

It is located at the bottom of the window. This way all changes made to the configuration settings will be saved and applied.

Method 4 of 4: Windows XP

Step 1. Select an empty spot on the desktop with the right mouse button

A small context menu will appear.

Step 2. Choose the Properties option

It should be the last option on the menu starting from the top.

Step 3. Go to the Desktop tab

It is located at the top of the "Properties" window.

Step 4. Choose the desired settings to customize the desktop background

Inside the "Background" box you will find a wide selection of predefined images that can be used as a desktop background. By selecting one of these items, you will be able to preview the final result in the box at the top of the window.

• If you are looking for a particular image to use as a background, press the button "Browse".
• If you want to use a solid color as your desktop background, choose the option "Nobody" from the "Background" box, access the "Color" drop-down menu at the bottom right of the window, then choose the color you prefer.

Step 5. Select the "Location" drop-down menu

It is located in the lower right part of the "Properties" window. The options available are the following:

• "Extended". The image will be automatically adjusted to fill the entire screen surface.
• "Side by side". Many small thumbnails of the chosen image will be used to cover the entire surface of the desktop forming a grid.
• "In the center". The selected image will be displayed in the center of the desktop surrounded by black borders.

Step 6. Choose the position that will have to assume the chosen image according to your needs or your personal taste

Step 7. Press the OK button

It is located at the bottom of the window. This way all changes made to the configuration settings will be saved and applied.

Advice

To set a specific image as your desktop wallpaper quickly and easily, select it with the right mouse button (or press and hold it with your finger if you are using a touchscreen device), then choose the option "Set as desktop background".