Tip #4079 - Dual Wallpaper
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Q:
I use two monitors with my computer and I absolutely love it, but there
is one thing that bothers me about it. The wallpaper on both screens is
always the same. Is there any way I can make them different? I've tried
to do it myself, but I can't get it to work. Can you please help me?
A:
Oh, I love this question! I honestly can't figure out why I've never covered
this before. I also use two monitors for my computer here in the office
and I've always had different wallpaper designs on each of them. (For
example, right now, I have a picture of one of my dogs on one monitor
and a picture of my other dog on the other!) That's just the way the computer
was set up when I started working here, so I guess, in a way, I always
thought it was common knowledge. But now that I know it's not, I can't
wait to share this information with you! You're going to love having two
different backgrounds, I just know it. So, let's get started, shall we?!
Now, before I go any
further, I understand that some of you don't have dual monitors and even
if you have two monitors to use, you may not know how to set them up.
So, if you're interested in having a dual monitor setup for yourself,
just read through this tip.
It gives you all the information you need to prepare your monitors and
get them placed just right. It's a simple procedure and once you've experienced
multiple monitors at once, I don't think you'll want to go back to a single
setup any time soon!
Okay, so once you
have your monitors set in place, I can almost guarantee the first thing
you'll notice is that the wallpaper designs are exactly the same for both
monitors. How boring is that?! So, if you want to do a little rearranging
(which, who could blame you?!), keep on reading. Now, in order for this
to work, you need to already have a wallpaper design chosen for your two
monitors. Yes, it will be the same one, but we have to start with something!
So, go ahead and find one design you would like to use for one of your
monitors. We will then work to replace the other side with another picture
so that you can have two different designs. One side will sort of be like
a cover up, but no one will ever be able to tell.
Alright, here's how
to do it. Just follow these directions:
1.) First, right click
on your desktop and choose Properties. The Display
Properties dialogue box will then open.
2.) From there, click
on the Desktop tab and then hit the Customize
Desktop button.
3.) Once in there,
click on the Web tab.
4.) Next, click on
the New button and you will see two options you can choose
from. One, you can either enter in a URL of a Web site that contains a
wallpaper design you'd like to use. There are several sites like that
online today, so if you have a favorite one, just type its address in
the first box you see. Option two is using one of your own files. Maybe
you have a picture you'd like to use for your other background. If so,
hit the Browse button and just navigate through your
files until you find the one you want. When you do, click Open
and the file name will then show up in the second box. You can only do
one of these two options for right now, so choose the one you want and
then click OK. Click OK twice more to
exit out of all the open boxes.
5.) You will now see
the picture you selected sitting on your desktop. Scroll your mouse to
the top of that picture until you see a little toolbar pop up at the very
top of it. You'll see two boxes and an X (they're like the boxes you see
in the top right hand corner of your Web pages. You know, the Minimize,
Maximize and Close buttons).
6.) When you're ready
to finish up, drag the picture to whichever monitor you want it to be
on and then hit the Maximize button, which is the very
first box. The picture will then take over the other design you had and
it will become your new wallpaper for that particular monitor. Cool, huh?!
7.) Next, right click
on your desktop and choose Properties. Then click on
the Desktop tab and hit the Customize Desktop
button. Click on the Web tab and then checkmark the Lock
Desktop Items option. That way, your image won't be able to go
anywhere else but where it's at right now. Click OK three
times when you're all finished. (Note: When you maximize
the new picture, it may throw your icons out of whack a little, so you'll
want to rearrange them before you lock your desktop as well).
That's all you have
to do! So, from now, you'll have your original wallpaper design on one
monitor and this new picture on the other. Plus, if you ever want to change
either of them again, you know exactly how to do it. Also, if you ever
want to get rid of that new picture right away, just scroll your mouse
to the top of it and hit the X to close it out. Your desktop will then
go right back to the way it was. Who knew it was so easy to have your
dual monitors just the way you want them?! Give it a try today. It's too
cool to pass up!
~ Erin
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