Most ways to customize Windows 10 are in Settings > Personalization. From there you can change the desktop background, switch to dark mode, pick an accent color, set up the lock screen, apply a theme, and adjust the Start menu and taskbar. Right-click the desktop and select Personalize to get there quickly.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on October 10, 2026. Personalization settings need Windows to be activated.
Change the desktop background
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Background.
- Under Background, choose Picture, Solid color, or Slideshow.
- For a picture, select Browse to use your own. Under Choose a fit, pick Fill for most photos.
- For a slideshow, pick a folder and set how often the picture changes.
More options: how to change the wallpaper in Windows 10.
Choose dark mode and an accent color
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors.
- Under Choose your color, pick Light, Dark, or Custom. Custom lets you use dark mode for Windows and light mode for apps, or the other way around.
- Pick an accent color, or check Automatically pick an accent color from my background.
- Turn Transparency effects on or off.
- Under Show accent color on the following surfaces, check Start, taskbar, and action center and Title bars and window borders if you want the color used more widely.
See how to turn on dark mode in Windows 10 for more detail.
Set up the lock screen
- Background: In Settings > Personalization > Lock screen, choose Windows spotlight for a new photo each day, Picture, or Slideshow.
- Status: Pick which app shows detailed status, such as Calendar or Weather, and which show quick status.
- Sign-in screen: Turn Show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen on or off.
See how to change the lock screen in Windows 10.
Apply a theme
A theme changes the background, accent color, sounds, and mouse pointer together. Go to Settings > Personalization > Themes and pick one, or select Get more themes in Microsoft Store for free theme packs. After you change the individual settings, select Save theme to keep your combination.
On the same page, Desktop icon settings lets you show This PC, Recycle Bin, Control Panel, and your user folder on the desktop.
- Resize or move tiles: Right-click a tile and choose Resize, or drag it to a new spot. Drag tiles together to create groups and name them.
- Pin or unpin apps: Right-click an app and choose Pin to Start or Unpin from Start.
- Choose what Start shows: In Settings > Personalization > Start, turn the app list, recently added apps, and most used apps on or off.
- Add folder shortcuts: On the same page, select Choose which folders appear on Start to add Documents, Downloads, Settings, and more above the power button.
- Make Start full screen: Turn on Use Start full screen.
Customize the taskbar
Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, or right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- Move it: Change Taskbar location on screen to left, right, or top.
- Make it smaller: Turn on Use small taskbar buttons. See how to change the taskbar size in Windows 10.
- Hide it: Turn on Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode. See how to hide the taskbar in Windows 10.
- Show labels: Set Combine taskbar buttons to Never to see app names.
- Tidy the right side: Select Select which icons appear on the taskbar to choose which icons show next to the clock.
- Weather: Right-click the taskbar and use News and interests to show or hide the weather. See how to show or hide weather on the taskbar in Windows 10.
Change fonts, icons, and pointer
- Fonts: Settings > Personalization > Fonts shows installed fonts and lets you drag in new ones. Windows 10 doesn’t let you change the system font in Settings.
- Icon size: Right-click the desktop, select View, and choose small, medium, or large icons. See how to change icon size on Windows 10.
- Mouse pointer: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Mouse pointer to change its size and color.
- Text size: In Settings > Ease of Access > Display, use Make text bigger.
Customize File Explorer
- Open to This PC: In File Explorer, select View > Options, and set Open File Explorer to This PC instead of Quick access.
- Pin favorite folders: Right-click a folder and select Pin to Quick access.
- Show file extensions and hidden items: On the View tab, check File name extensions and Hidden items.
- Change a folder’s look: Use the Layout group on the View tab to switch between icons, list, and details.
Customize Action Center
The Action Center opens from the speech-bubble icon at the right end of the taskbar. To choose which buttons appear at the bottom, open it, right-click a button, and select Edit quick actions. Add, remove, or drag buttons such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Night light, then select Done.
Personal touches
- Account picture: Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and choose a photo or take one with your camera.
- PC name: Go to Settings > System > About > Rename this PC. The name shows up on your network and in Bluetooth lists.
- Notifications: In Settings > System > Notifications & actions, turn off notifications from apps you don’t need to hear from.
Easier on the eyes
Turn on Night light in Settings > System > Display to use warmer colors in the evening. You can schedule it for sunset to sunrise. See how to turn on Night Light in Windows 10.
Change Windows sounds
Go to Settings > System > Sound > Sound Control Panel, and open the Sounds tab. Choose a sound scheme, change the sound for individual events, or pick No Sounds to turn them off.
If something doesn’t work
- Personalization settings are greyed out: Windows isn’t activated, or a work or school policy controls them.
- Accent color won’t show on the taskbar: The option only works when Windows mode is set to Dark or Custom with dark Windows mode.
- Background keeps changing back: A synced theme from another PC can override it. Turn off theme syncing in Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings.
- You want to start again: In Themes, choose Windows to go back to the default look.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Windows 10 look like Windows 11?
You can center the taskbar icons and use a Windows 11-style wallpaper. See how to center taskbar icons in Windows 10.
Are third-party customization apps safe?
Many are, but they change parts of Windows that updates can break. Use the built-in settings first, and download any tool only from its developer’s official site.
Do these settings work the same in Windows 11?
Most do, but the layout of Settings is different. See how to customize Windows 11.
Related: how to make Windows 10 look like Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.