Yesterday, we began our week-long series on desktops and the different ways you can “skin” your background to provide both entertainment and functionality. Our first article, titled Desktop Departures – Escape With a Wallpaper Change, focused on suggestions for PC users with multiple displays. Today, we take things in a new direction, with a fresh idea for users of any number of monitors and just about every version of Windows that is still used today…. Wallpaper Slideshows.
Introduced in Windows 7 as a standard feature (for all versions except Windows 7 Starter), the wallpaper slideshow provides users with a utility that automatically changes the background picture at regular intervals, using a select group of images. Users are no longer forced to stare at the same image for hours, days or even years. With this application, the desktop can change every 30 minutes, giving you a fresh desktop. As with many features found in newer operating systems, this type of feature has been recreated (under other names) for use in Windows XP and Vista as well.
Windows 7
Windows 7 users can begin using this feature without installing any additional software. The easiest way to access your background options is to right-click on the desktop and choose Personalize.
Windows 7 / Personalize
Microsoft provided some “themes” that you can begin using right away or you can click on Get more themes online to search microsoft.com for more. There are dozens to choose from. You can also use wallpapers that you downloaded from sites like VladStudio and DeviantArt.com. Create your own themes, using personal photos and change out the theme for different seasons, holidays or even events.
Windows XP
Unfortunately, previous versions of Windows were not equipped with a wallpaper slideshow feature, so a few companies (including Microsoft) have filled in the void with shareware and freeware that you can install to achieve a similar functionality.
Windows XP Desktop Wallpaper Changer is a FREE download from Microsoft. According to the Microsoft Download Center “Make your computer desktop more dynamic, interactive, useful, and fun. The Wallpaper Changer PowerToy allows your desktop wallpaper to change automatically. It also lets you choose which images to display. Select the folder of images to display as a slide show and set the display interval to change wallpaper every few minutes, hours, or days. The simple intuitive interface is easily available from the system tray.” You can even create folders for “special days” that will use a different set of images.
LINK: Microsoft’s Download Page for this Product or you can try the Worldstart.com Download Link
Wallpaper Changer for Windows XP
Windows Vista
Locating a FREE utility for Vista proved to be quite a challenge, but I finally found a suitable program for alternating wallpapers.
DesktopSlides is a 100% FREE program that is both user and resource friendly. According to wallpaperswide.com “You can set DesktopSlides to change your desktop wallpaper at a predetermined time interval (e.g. every 10 minutes) and customize the wallpaper position (tile, center, fit to screen) easily.”
LINK: WallpapersWide Download Page
I was unable to test this software myself, but found no bad reviews or negative comments about its performance.
DesktopSlides for Windows Vista Users
Tags: alternating, change, Changer, Slideshow, themes, Vista, wallpaper, Windows, Windows 7, XP
