Customizing the Desktop

Use this quick guide to locate information about customizing the desktop. You will find information about the new customization features available in Windows 2000, information about customizing desktops in different ways and in differing environments, and ideas to help you resolve any problems you may have with customization.

 Learn about new features related to desktop customization.

Building on the Microsoft Windows 98 and Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 user interface, Windows 2000 Professional introduces new features to help users stay organized and efficiently access the programs they need. Group Policy settings give administrators more control over the user interface.

• See Overview of Desktop Customization and Configuration later in this chapter.

 Define desktop configuration standards.

Desktop configuration standards can lower the total cost of ownership of Windows 2000 Professional computers. Learn how to define standards in your organization.

• See Defining Desktop Administration Standards later in this chapter.

 Customize Windows 2000 Professional on a Windows 2000 Server network.

Implementing centralized custom desktop configurations is easy when you use the Group Policy functionality of Windows 2000 Server and Active Directory.

• See Implementing Custom Desktops in a Windows 2000 Server Network later in this chapter.

 Customize Windows 2000 Professional desktops independent of a Windows 2000 server network.

Even when your Windows 2000 Professional users are connected to UNIX, NetWare, or Windows NT 4.0 Server networks, you can implement custom desktops by applying Group Policy settings to the users computer.

• See Implementing Custom Desktop Configurations in Non–Windows 2000 Server Networks later in this chapter.

 Control the features users can access and set.

Use Group Policy and System Policy Editor to control the Windows user interface within your organization.

• See Using Group Policy Settings for Desktop Control later in this chapter.

 Provide quick access to programs and folders.

Create custom shortcuts and program icons on desktops for immediate access to frequently used programs, folders, and files.

• See Desktop Shortcuts and Icons later in this chapter.

 View Web content on the desktop.

With Active Desktop, you can give users up-to-the-minute access to Web content directly from the desktop.

• See Active Desktop and Wallpaper Settings later in this chapter.

 Access commands and programs from the Start menu.

Customize the Start and Programs menus to help users find what they need quickly, prevent users from changing or accessing operating system functions, or provide access to custom programs, folders, and files.

• See Start and Programs Menus later in this chapter.

 Provide quick access to frequently used functions.

Design and distribute custom toolbars and taskbars to your users.

• See Customizing the Taskbar and Toolbars later in this chapter.

 Limit access to display options.

Use Group Policy settings to prevent users from changing display options, such as wallpaper settings.

• See Limiting Access to Display Options later in this chapter.

 Control use of screen savers.

Use Group Policy settings to prevent or control the use of screen savers.

• See Screen Saver Group Policy Settings later in this chapter.

 Restore the original configuration.

Reset modified settings back to the default Windows 2000 Professional settings.

• See Restoring the Original Configuration later in this chapter.

 Specify an alternate user interface.

Choose your own custom user interface rather than the default Windows 2000 Explorer user interface program.

• See Choosing a New User Interface later in this chapter.

 Solve desktop problems.

If you experience problems with the Windows 2000 Professional desktop, you can troubleshoot to determine possible solutions.

• See Troubleshooting later in this chapter.