I’ve been customizing my desktop since I think a year ago, and it started from me choosing a different wallpaper, to arranging my desktop icons and to switching my shell style because the default looks retarded and everybody else is using it. In fact that’s really just the only reason why people customize their desktops. Most of us aren’t really into beautifying our desktops, we’re not Renaissance artists, we’re rebels. We design our desktops differently because that’s the way we want it to be, and not be part of a demographic wherein millions of other people are using the same look.
Want to stand out? Tired of Aero Glass on Vista and 7, tired of that lame Bliss wallpaper and overwhelming blue in XP? Here’s a couple of programs and tips that will help you stand out.
(Linux and Mac users, this isn’t for you, however, I’m thinking of writing a similar article for Ubuntu users. I don’t think I’m going to be writing a similar article for Mac since I’ve never even used one)
The Basics
Sometimes, the basics are already good enough to create an eye-catching and pleasing desktop environment. Here are a couple of pointers you should heed while designing your desktop.
Your wallpaper
DON’T use a wallpaper that everybody else uses. And I’m talking specifically about that wall of Arthas from Warcraft III, you know, the same face they use with the game’s box art. We do not care how much you love or how good you are at Dota.
If you are going to use a wallpaper, make sure it fits in cleanly with your desktop. An orange desktop on your blue taskbar is certainly bad for the eyes, because of the overwhelming color contrast. Try to stick to one color theme, like Cool colors only, Warm Colors only, monochrome, etc.
Choose a wallpaper that fits your style and your personality.
Choose colors that are pleasing to the eyes. High contrasts are generally kept at a minimum.
Where can I get good wallpapers?
There are many ways to start, like DesktopNexus (my personal favorite at the moment), DeviantArt, and Interfacelift, just to name a few.
Your icons
If you prefer icons, and you use them regularly, focus on keeping them organized than having them in a fancy formation.
As much as possible, use a dock instead. I’m not an Apple fan, but I find docks to be more beautiful and organized than desktop icons. Plus they tend to get out of the way. There are many docks available for Windows, one example is Rocketdock.
Advanced stuff
If you really want to customize your desktop, here’s a couple of tips and tricks that could help you design that perfect desktop design.
Windows themes
Since Windows 2000, the functionality of themes were added to the operating system. Themes back then composed of a taskbar style, a window border style, colors for different parts of your interface, and sometimes desktop icons. In Windows 7, sounds were an added feature for themes.
Where can I get good themes?
I don’t know what “good” exactly is, however, if you’re looking for various Windows themes, I suggest searching the Customization > Skins and Themes section of Deviantart and Customize.org. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, Google is your friend.
A word of caution: You will always be required to patch your Windows’ uxtheme.dll, the library that manages your Windows themes. Patching this will allow you to install your user-created themes, because Microsoft insists on users using their created themes. Take note that this involves editing system file – if you’re not used to risking the stability of your system – do not try this.
But you can use Windowsblinds if you’re too scared to patch your uxtheme.dll, however, Windowblinds is proprietary shareware. Its free version does not last for very long, and the full version costs money. Still, if you’re more willing to fish out a few dollars than mess with your system, you can try Windowblinds.
System Monitoring
If you managed to peek into a geek’s desktop (like mine), you probably seen these: moving bars, information about RAM and CPU usage, even animated gears that float above the desktop wallpaper. How do they do that? It’s not exactly magic. In fact, it’s not really that hard to do.
Rainmeter
Rainmeter is currently the best choice you can get to easily add system monitors and widgets to your Windows desktop that does not involve Windows Gadgets. Currently, Rainmeter has a very enthusiastic and active community, both for development and design, and currently there are a lot of setups you can use or base from. The introduction of rain theme files makes the process of installing Rainmeter themes much easier. I recommend you get it if you’re new.
Samurize
Samurize is currently a geek’s choice when it comes to powerful desktop customization, because with the right tools and skills, you can make it more functional and beautiful than Rainmeter. However, that trait gives it a steep learning curve, and can be difficult for users with little or no experience in coding to use and customize.
If you like to keep your hands dirty in code, Samurize might be up your alley. Currently, Samurize only fully supports XP, but you can use it in Vista and 7 using the compatibility mode.
Bootskins and Logon screens
Bootskins and Logon screens are a big deal. Just a quick tweaking of them can make your computer look like it belongs to the FBI, or the NSA, or whatever government agency you like. Just don’t make your Bootskin look like another flavor of Windows, like those “Windows XP Virus Edition” and “Windows XP: Elite Edition” skins.
Thankfully, Stardock, the ones who created the tools Bootskin and Logon Studio, are offering the two customization software for free. Go ahead and play with it.
NOTE: Bootskin currently supports Windows XP only. If you’re using Vista or 7, there are different methods of altering your bootskin, but they are at most, irreversible. Also, there are separate versions of Logon Studio. There is a Logon Studio for XP, and another for Vista and 7. So please be aware of that.
Shell replacements
Ah, my personal favorite. Shell replacement software, completely replaces your Windows shell, which is the one managing your interactions between yourself and the Windows kernel (the one who interprets your instructions to your hardware and vice versa). If you’re bored with the “taskbar at the sides look” of Windows, LiteStep is for you.
Litestep allows you to customize almost everything on your computer – from your explorer windows, your taskbars, basically everything under the Windows sun could be customized. The only drawback of using LiteStep is that it’s sometimes tedious to code properly to create a beautiful design. There are, however, numerous free Litestep setups available to download on the Internet.
Oh, and did I mention it’s for Windows XP only? Don’t bother using it on Vista or 7. No I’m just kidding. It works – somehow. An alpha build, according to a Google search, has improved support for Vista and 7, it’s just that it’s not perfect. So try it at your own risk.
