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One of the great advantages of using computers is their enormous capacity for customization. It doesn't matter if you're going to use them for work or just playing online with your friends: customizing your Windows desktop makes the task much more pleasant and intuitive.
Although the system's default interface is reasonably pleasant and easy to use, some things can be done to make your experience even better. And the best part is that most of the tips are completely free.
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Time to give your system a makeover!
Read too: WHow to keep your PC protected from Malware?
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Windows, but your way
Before we begin, an important warning: some features that will be presented below may have some impact on your system's performance. Therefore, check the instructions carefully to avoid slowing down or freezing your Windows.
Choose a theme
By default, Microsoft provides several themes that change the colors of the Start menu, taskbar and system wallpaper. However, it is possible to download hundreds of other themes directly from the Microsoft Store, the official Windows store.
This is especially interesting if you don't have privileged vision: there are high contrast themes, which tend to be great for people with sensitive eyes or other comorbidities, such as color blindness. Try using dark themes at night to make your eyes less strained.
Choose a background
It's really satisfying to open Windows and see an image you love. How about illustrating your system in your own way? There is no shortage of free options for this.
Hundreds of websites specializing in backgrounds are available on the internet, such as Pexels, WallpaperAccess, WallpaperCave It is Desktop Nexus These are just a few examples! As expected, there are paid solutions, too, such as CGWallpapers. Through an annual subscription (very cheap, by the way), you will have access to thousands of backgrounds made by great artists.
Remember to check your screen resolution before downloading any wallpaper. A Full HD (1920×1080) background will certainly look strange on a 4K (3840×2160) monitor.
Use widgets
The functionality had been removed in previous editions of Windows, but was resurrected in Windows 11. Widgets are interactive elements that typically communicate with other applications: you can, for example, insert a weather widget on your desktop to quickly see the weather forecast.
Likewise, you can also add other features to your desktop, such as sticker notes, CPU usage monitoring, news, etc.
This type of customization, although very useful and functional, can have some impact on Windows performance: test them and, if they affect performance, remove them. Try looking for lighter widget alternatives – there are hundreds of them!
Customize the screen scale
Are the letters too small? It's time to try out the scale customization function for your screen. This way, everything you use on Windows will be considerably larger, which can make reading and absorbing so much other content more comfortable.
The way is very easy: press the Start button and, in the system search bar, type “Screen settings”. In the “Layout and Scale” section, change the scale value (100% by default) to another.
It is important to mention that a very large scale can deform the layout of some internet pages, in addition to making the experience less functional than it should be. Try to find a harmonious balance between visibility and productivity.
Put the icons in order
Have you ever seen a Windows screen with dozens of icons and shortcuts on the desktop? It may not seem like it, but cluttering the screen in this way, in addition to giving an image of sloppiness and laziness, can make the user experience more complicated.
Occasionally, you will end up forgetting where the icon of the software you need to open urgently is, and you will have to look at dozens of other icons until you find the right one. Why not organize them into folders or alphabetically?
To do this, right-click on any free part of the desktop and choose “Sort by”. Just choose the type of organization you want and click the left mouse button.
Additional tip: When you right-click on the desktop and select “View”, you can also choose the display size of the icons. Simple, right?
Try Microsoft PowerToys
This official tool is more complex and may take some time to completely master. With it, you'll be able to customize your Windows in a much deeper way: change image sizes, modify default keyboard shortcuts and rename several files at once with PowerToys!
To download it, you need to enter the GitHub from Microsoft. This is not an application that will slow down your operating system or anything like that: the changes are made to the system.
Image: Tecnoblog
Use customization software
Maybe you don't want to spend a lot of time customizing your desktop: how about trying third-party applications for this task? O Stardock is one of the oldest and most well-known options on the internet, with thousands of extremely well-made and elaborate themes that leave Windows unrecognizable.
Image: stardock.com
In addition to custom themes, Stardock offers several productivity tools that make the user's life easier. Several of these tools can be incorporated into companies to make the experience even more incredible!
Let the creativity flow!
There are many possibilities to make your Windows more beautiful and functional, right? Most of them are completely free: just download, install and use! Furthermore, the customization process tends to be pleasant and fun, making it a very interesting activity to do in your leisure time.
Take your time: choose everything very calmly to make your experience increasingly smooth and responsive. If you have any recommendations that are not on this list, share them in the comments so other readers know!
