How to Personalize Your Mac OS X Desktop

Scan the picture(s) you wish to use on your desktop into your computer., Create a new folder by going to the "File" menu at the top of your screen and choosing "New Folder"., Go to System Preferences., Once you get to the main System Preferences...

16 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Scan the picture(s) you wish to use on your desktop into your computer.

    Be patient, this may take a while.

    Make sure you line the pictures up perfectly when scanning, or they won't fit on your screen.

    If you don't want to use your own pictures, but you still want a cool design, just skip this step.
  2. Step 2: Create a new folder by going to the "File" menu at the top of your screen and choosing "New Folder".

    Put all the images into the folder and label it "Pictures". , The icon should be displayed in your computer's dock (the long strip of colorful icons), and looks like a light switch with a silver apple on it in
    10.0-10.4.
    10.5+ looks like a box with gears in it. , For
    10.5, Click "Desktop & Screensaver".

    This will take you to the desktop personalization page. , If you aren't using your own pictures, choose a page from the top of the dropdown list instead of "Choose Folder...". , If your image folder is not located on the desktop, find its location and click on the folder.

    When you've made your selection, click the "Choose" button at the bottom of the page.

    This should return you to the desktop page.

    If you're using the provided images, choose a picture you want from the menu at the bottom of the window. , Click on your favorite picture, and it will be shown on the desktop.

    Now, quit System Preferences. , Select a picture, then put a check mark in the box labeled "Change Picture" by clicking on it.

    Now, use the dropdown menu to decide how often the pictures will change.

    If you want your images to appear in a random order, put a check mark in the checkbox labeled "Random Order".

    You can also do this with provided images. ,
  3. Step 3: Go to System Preferences.

  4. Step 4: Once you get to the main System Preferences screen

  5. Step 5: look under the heading "Personal"

  6. Step 6: and click on "Desktop".

  7. Step 7: To put your pictures on the desktop

  8. Step 8: go to the dropdown menu in the middle of the page

  9. Step 9: and select "Choose Folder..."

  10. Step 10: which will take you to a new page.

  11. Step 11: From the dropdown menu at the top of the new window

  12. Step 12: choose "Desktop".

  13. Step 13: your images should be displayed in a menu running along the bottom of the window.

  14. Step 14: If you want to show all of the pictures

  15. Step 15: don't quit just yet.

  16. Step 16: Enjoy your desktop!

Detailed Guide

Be patient, this may take a while.

Make sure you line the pictures up perfectly when scanning, or they won't fit on your screen.

If you don't want to use your own pictures, but you still want a cool design, just skip this step.

Put all the images into the folder and label it "Pictures". , The icon should be displayed in your computer's dock (the long strip of colorful icons), and looks like a light switch with a silver apple on it in
10.0-10.4.
10.5+ looks like a box with gears in it. , For
10.5, Click "Desktop & Screensaver".

This will take you to the desktop personalization page. , If you aren't using your own pictures, choose a page from the top of the dropdown list instead of "Choose Folder...". , If your image folder is not located on the desktop, find its location and click on the folder.

When you've made your selection, click the "Choose" button at the bottom of the page.

This should return you to the desktop page.

If you're using the provided images, choose a picture you want from the menu at the bottom of the window. , Click on your favorite picture, and it will be shown on the desktop.

Now, quit System Preferences. , Select a picture, then put a check mark in the box labeled "Change Picture" by clicking on it.

Now, use the dropdown menu to decide how often the pictures will change.

If you want your images to appear in a random order, put a check mark in the checkbox labeled "Random Order".

You can also do this with provided images. ,

About the Author

J

Joshua Ward

Committed to making practical skills accessible and understandable for everyone.

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