These days a computer is as much a part of our lives as our cars. We personalize our cars. We add rearview mirror thingies, bumper stickers, little bobble head dogs and just about anything that says “this car is mine” and makes it that much easier to find in the parking lot. Our computers are no different. We want to customize and personalize them. One way to do this is to add a desktop background image.
Of course, we don’t want to pay for a desktop background image. Free desktop background images are the best and there are several ways to get your self a free image.
The first way is to look at what is on your computer. These days with the popularity of digital cameras, many people have their own pictures on their computer. To use a picture of friends and family as the background for your desktop, note the location of the file on your computer. Next open your display properties. You can get there by going Start (lower left hand corner of your computer)> Settings> Control Panel> Display.
Once you have the display properties open, make sure that you are on the Background tab. Click on Browse and navigate to the digital photo that you would like to have on your desktop. Click open and Viola!… your picture is your background. Choose your picture display, center will center the photo; tile will wall paper your desktop with the photo and stretch will force the photo to fit (though it may not look good like this).
What’s that you say, no photos on your computer to use as a desktop background image? No problem. You can still get a free desktop background image. The best source is Google Images. If you have never used this service, you are missing out on a great tool. To get to Google Images, go to www.google.com and click on the Images tab below the Google logo. Or click here to go to Google Images.
From here, just type in the type of image you want. Do you adore cute puppies? Type the word “puppy” and dozens of cute puppy images will be displayed. Big KISS fan? Type the words “Kiss Band” and you will have wide selection of KISS pictures to choose from. Any background picture you might want for your desktop you can find for free on Google Images.
To get the picture on your computer, click through to the images source (i.e. keep clicking on the picture till is doesn’t click any more). Once you are at the source, move your mouse over the picture and click the right button on your mouse. A popup menu will appear. Choose “Save Picture As”. A Save box will appear, just as if you were saving a Word file. Name the picture and then save it wherever you would like on your computer. Then simply follow the directions for personal photos from above.
The last way to get free desktop background images is to visit your favorite “official” sites. Official movie and band sites frequently offer great free desktop background images for you to download.
However you decide to customize your computer, make sure it is cool. After all, you are the one who has to look at it day after day.