(BGM from "The Neverending Story")
Desktop Icon
Icon is a small pic used in Windows to represent a program or shortcut. Icons usually come with .ico extension.
In most cases, you can easily change the icon of a desktop shortcut by right-clicking on it, and then choose "Properties" => "Shortcut" => "Change Icon" and browse for your desired icon.
All icons found in this site are best viewed in 48x48 size, high color or above.
If icons are displayed weirdly (incorrect colors) on your desktop, follow the below procedures to solve the problem.
Click HERE to download Microangelo which is a good icon/cursor making tool as well as a wonderful utility to let you change ALL your icons/cursors, including your START MENU ICONS! For Windows 95 users without Microsoft Plus! this software can also solve the icon problem mentioned above!
Mouse Cursor
Cursor is a small icon/animation for the mouse pointer to represent certain system event in Windows. Static cursor comes with .cur extension while animated one comes with .ani extension. You can use a static one no matter how your system is configured, but for animated cursors, you must have 32-bit driver for your harddisk in order to see the animation. All animated cursor on this site requires high color or above for best quality.
To use the cursors you downloaded, open "Control Panel" => "Mouse" => "Pointers" and browse for your favorite cursors.
If you find that cursors are not displayed in correct colors on your desktop, it can be solved like the icon problem mentioned before. Please read the Icon section for details.
IMPORTANT: Please note that all startup logos can work in Windows 95/98/ME, no matter how the logos look like (even if words like "Windows 95" or "Windows 98" are shown on the logos).
Startup screen is the pic you see on Windows startup. It is a file called "logo.sys". To change the startup screen, you need to copy the logo file (logo.sys) to the root directory (c:\). In some RARE cases you may need to copy the logo to the Windows directory (c:\windows\) instead. If you are still not sure which path you should copy the logo file to, simply copy it to BOTH c:\ and c:\windows\ and the logo will work for sure.
For shutdown/waiting screens, you need to copy "logos.sys" / "logow.sys" to your Windows directory.
Please note that logo files come with ".sys" file extension in which these type of "system" files are HIDDEN in Windows Explorer under normal configurations. You have to configure your Window Explorer (press "View" => "Folder Options" => "View") to be able to view system/hidden files, or you can always manipulate these files under DOS prompt.
If you want to make your own animated startup screen, visit this site for more information.
Note for XP users: The procedures to install logos in XP are DIFFERENT from those listed above and are VERY COMPLICATED to be done manually. There are programs which install logos automatically on XP, such as BootXP, though right now I'm still not sure if XP logos use the same format as those of previous versions of Windows, and thus I cannot guarantee that my logos will also work on XP even with BootXP installed (it doesn't hurt to try though). If you can successfully install my logos on XP, please contact me and let me know!
Event sound is a sound file that plays on certain system event such as Windows startup, menu popup, alert and program error. Although event sounds can be configured and installed manually, they usually come as part of a Desktop Theme.
All sound files included in my Desktop Themes were recorded in Microsoft ADPCM format to minimize file size. If you have problem playing the files, follow the instructions below.
Desktop Theme is a set of desktop files which can change the appearance of your desktop. You can install desktop themes directly in Windows 98/ME (or 95 with Microsoft Plus! installed), or you can use other third-party theme installers. To install a desktop theme, simply click on its .theme file.
You can also make your own desktop theme by first saving your desktop settings as a .theme file in the Desktop Themes section of Control Panel, and then packing all necessary desktop files and the .theme file into a single package (the easiest way is to copy all necessary files into a folder and then compress them into a ZIP file). This can also be done by other theme-making programs. After that, your theme can be distributed to your friends or on the net.
NOTE: To install desktop themes in Windows 98/ME, you need to enable "Desktop Themes Support". Following the instructions below.
Windows XP/2000 should have similar "Desktop Themes Support" option as well.
Active Desktop is built-in feature for Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP (and 95 with IE4 installed) which let you use HTMLs and other Web technologies to decorate your desktop and folders instead of just plain wallpapers. You can install a HTML file to your desktop exactly like installing a wallpaper.
With Active Desktop feature, you can even customize your folders like the one shown above! For each folder you want to customize, choose the "Customize this Folder" option in "View" menu. Follow the on-screen instructions.
If you want to know more about Active Desktop, or simply want to find some Anime Active Desktop stuff for your computer, check out my Active Desktop page!
Are you still confused after reading all these? If so click here and take a look at the desktop of a crazy Anime fan (myself) and see how much you do with your desktop!
