Chapter 4: Configuring the Windows Vista Desktop

1
Chapter 4 Configuring the Windows Vista Desktop
2
Configuring Windows Aero

• Enables transparency and animations
• Windows Vista theme
• Windows Aero color scheme

3
Customizing the Taskbar and Start Menu

• Users can customize the Taskbar and Start menu
  through the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
  dialog box. The easiest way to access this dialog
  box is to right-click a blank area in the Taskbar
  and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.
• The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box
  has four tabs Taskbar, Start Menu, Notification
  Area and Toolbars.

4
Customizing the Taskbar

• Taskbar Property Settings
• Lock the taskbar
• Auto-hide the taskbar
• Keep the taskbar on top of other windows
• Group similar taskbar buttons
• Show Quick Launch
• Show window previews (thumbnails)

5

Customizing the Start Menu

• Custom Windows Vista theme or select Classic
  Start menu
• Add or remove items
• Customize options, such as how items are
  displayed and what items are displayed

6
Customizing the Notification Area

• Hide inactive icons
• Display or hide system icons
• Clock
• Volume
• Network
• Power (for mobile computers)

7
Using Shortcuts

• Provides links to items accessible from your
  computer or network
• Created for convenience in folders, or the
  desktop
• Right-click the item, select Create Shortcut,
  move shortcut to new location if needed

8
Setting Display Settings

• Window Color and Appearance - allows you to
  enable transparency if Windows Aero configured
• Desktop Background - allows you to configure the
  background color for your desktop
• Screen Saver - lets you select a screen saver
  that will start after the system has been idle
  for a specified amount of time, specify a
  password used to re-access the system after it
  has been idle, and adjust monitor power settings.
• Sounds - lets you change which sounds are played
  for system actions
• Mouse Pointers - lets you select a different
  mouse pointer
• Themes - allows you to the theme, such as Windows
  Vista, for your computer
• Display Settings - lets you adjust monitor
  resolution and refresh rate

9
Windows Sidebar

• Vertical bar that can be displayed on either side
  of the screen
• Contains applications called gadgets
• Can configure to always be displayed on top of
  other windows

10
Configuring Accessibility Features

• Ease of Access Center
• Magnifier
• Narrator
• On-screen keyboard
• High contrast