How to Change the Font on a Desktop

The desktop is a location that contains shortcuts to applications, files and folders which you can access with one click. By default, the icons come with a default font; however, you can customize the desktop and give the icons a different font style such as Times New Roman, Verdana or Tahoma.

Windows XP Users

Step 1

Right-click on the desktop and click "Properties" to launch the display properties dialog box.

Step 2

Click the "Appearance" tab and click the "Advanced" button. Select "Icons" in the "Item window." Select the font that you want to use in the "Font" box. Select the icon font size you want to use in the "Size" box next to the "Font" box. Select the font color that you want to use.

Step 3

Click "OK" and click "Apply." Click "OK" to save the changes.

Windows Vista

Step 1

Click the Windows "Start" menu and click the "Control Panel. Click "Appearance and Personalization" and click "Personalization."

Step 2

Click "Windows color and appearance" and click "Open classic appearance properties" if the the Appearance Settings dialog box is not displayed, at the bottom of the page.

Step 3

Click the "Advanced" button and select "Icons" in the "Item" list. Select the font that you want to use in the "Font" box. Select the icon font size you want to use in the "Size" box next to the "Font" box. Select the font color that you want to use. Click "OK" and click "Apply." Click "OK" to save the changes.

References

• Microsoft Support: How to change the appearance of desktop items in Windows XP
• Microsoft Support: Changing Windows Vista Fonts

About the Author

Kefa Olang has been writing articles online since April 2009. He has been published in the "Celebration of Young Poets" and has an associate degree in communication and media arts from Dutchess Community College, and a bachelor's degree in broadcasting and mass communication from the State University of New York, Oswego.

Photo Credits

• ancient spanish text image by JCVStock from Fotolia.com