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4Click the control you want to configure, then follow the instructions for modifying that 
control.
5Click OK.
Using Windows Security Center
Windows Security Center helps protect your computer through:
•A firewall
•Automatic Windows updates
•Third party virus protection software
•Security options in Internet Explorer
Modifying security settings
To modify security settings:  
1Click (Start), Control Panel, then click Security.
2Click Security Center. The Windows Security Center dialog box opens.
3Click:
•Windows Update to run Windows Update or modify the Windows Update settings.
•Windows Firewall to prevent outsiders from accessing the information on your 
computer.
•Windows Defender to scan your computer for malicious or unwanted software that 
may have been placed on your computer either from an Internet web site or from 
other programs that you have installed.
•Internet Options to prevent certain programs from running on your computer that 
might be found on web sites.
4For more information about the Windows Security Center, click Get help about Security 
Center.
Help
For more information about Windows Security Center, click Start, then click Help 
and Support. Type security center in the Search Help box, then press ENTER.
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Security updates
To keep your computer secure, you need to keep Windows and your computer’s system software 
up to date.
Windows Update
If a hacker finds a way to bypass the security features built into Windows, Microsoft creates a 
high-priority Windows update to fix the problem. You should update Windows regularly to keep 
your computer secure.
To update Windows:  
1Click (Start), Control Panel, then click Security.
2Click Security Center. The Windows Security Center dialog box opens.
3Click Windows Update. Windows checks the Microsoft web site to see if any updates are 
available.
4Click:
•Install Updates to download and install updates on your computer. These updates 
include security updates.
•Install Extras to download additional Windows software for your computer.
Scheduling automatic updates
Use the Windows Security Center to schedule automatic updates. Windows can routinely check 
for the latest updates for your computer and install them automatically.
To schedule automatic updates:  
1Click (Start), Control Panel, then click Security.
2Click Security Center. The Windows Security Center dialog box opens.
3Click Windows Update. Help
For more information about Windows Update, click Start, then click Help and 
Support. Type Windows update in the Search Help box, then press ENTER.
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4Click Change Settings. The Change Settings dialog box opens.
5Make your changes to the schedule settings, then click OK.
BigFix
Your computer may include BigFix. BigFix monitors your computer for problems and conflicts. 
It automatically gathers information about the latest bugs, security alerts, and updates from 
BigFix sites on the Internet. Whenever BigFix detects a problem, it alerts you by flashing the blue 
taskbar icon. To fix the problem, click on that icon to open BigFix.
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Customizing Windows
•Changing screen settings
•Changing system sounds
•Changing mouse settings
•Adding and modifying user accounts
•Changing power-saving settings
•Changing accessibility settings
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Changing screen settings
Adjusting the color depth and screen area are two of the most basic display settings you may 
need to change. You can also adjust settings such as the screen background and screen saver.
Changing color depth and screen resolution
Color depth and screen resolution are two of the most basic monitor settings you may need to 
change to suit your needs.
Color depth is the number of colors your computer uses to display images on your display. Most 
images look best displayed with the maximum number of colors available. If the color in your 
images seems “false” or “jumpy,” especially after you have played a game or run a video-intensive 
program, check the color depth setting and return it to the highest color setting, if necessary.
Screen resolution is the number of pixels (individual colored dots) your computer uses to display 
images on your display. The higher the resolution, the more information and screen components 
(such as icons and menu bars) can be displayed on the display.
To change the color depth or screen resolution:  
1Click  (Start), Control Panel, then under Appearance and Personalization, click Adjust 
Screen Resolution. The Display Settings dialog box opens.
2To change the color depth, click the Colors list, then click the color depth you want.
•Low (8-bit) = 256 colors
•Medium (16-bit) = 65,500 colors
•Highest (32-bit) = 16,700,000 colors
3To change the screen resolution, drag the Resolution slider to the size you prefer.
4Click Apply. If the new settings do not look right, click No. If the new settings make the 
screen illegible and you cannot click No, the settings return to their previous values after 
several seconds.
5Click OK, then click Ye s to save your changes. Tip
If you are using a monitor, you can adjust the screen settings for brightness, contrast, 
and horizontal and vertical image position using the controls on the front or side of your 
monitor. For more information about these adjustments, see your monitor’s user guide.
HelpFor more information about adjusting the screen, click Start, then click Help and 
Support. Type adjusting monitor settings in the Search Help box, then press ENTER.
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Changing the appearance of windows and backgrounds
You can change the appearance of Windows desktop items, such as the colors of windows and 
dialog boxes and the color and design of the desktop background.
To change Window colors and effects:  
1Click  (Start), Control Panel, then under Appearance and Personalization, click 
Customize colors. The Window Color and Appearance dialog box opens.
2Click one of the color choices and adjust the Color intensity slider, then click OK. Your 
new color settings are applied.
3For even more color adjustment options, such as color schemes, shading effects, and screen 
fonts, click  (Start), Control Panel, then under Appearance and Personalization, click 
Change the color scheme. Change the setting you want, then click OK.
To change the Windows desktop background:  
1Click  (Start), Control Panel, then under Appearance and Personalization, click 
Change desktop background. The Choose a desktop background dialog box opens.
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2Click the Picture Location list, then click the location where you want to look for 
background images. If the location you want is not in the list, click Browse and locate the 
drive and folder.
3Click the picture or color you want to use for the background, then click OK.
Selecting a screen saver
You can use a screen saver to keep others from viewing your screen while you are away from 
your computer. Windows supplies a variety of screen savers that you can choose from, and many 
more are available from the Internet and as commercial products.
To select a screen saver:  
1Click  (Start), Control Panel, Appearance and Personalization, then click Change 
screen saver. The Screen Saver Settings dialog box opens.
2Click the Screen saver list, then click the screen saver you want to use. An example of 
the screen saver plays on the preview screen.
•To change the settings for the screen saver, click Settings, change the settings, then 
click OK.
•To see a full-screen preview of the screen saver, click Preview.
•To change the length of computer inactivity time that passes before the screen saver 
starts, change the number of minutes in the Wait box.
3Click OK. Your screen saver changes are applied.
Changing gadgets
Gadgets are constantly running mini-programs that are visible on your Windows desktop. They 
can be moved, removed, resized, and configured according to your preference. Although you 
can position them anywhere on your desktop, gadgets are usually visible on the right edge of 
your screen in the Sidebar.
Gadgets can include:Help
For more information about selecting a screen saver, click Start, then click 
Help and Support. Type screen savers in the Search Help box, then press ENTER.
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•Clocks and timers
•News feeds, weather forecasts, and stock tickers
•Slide shows and puzzles
•Calendars and contact lists
•Sticky notes
To add a gadget:  
1Click the + at the top of the Sidebar, or right-click in an empty area of the Sidebar and 
click Add Gadgets. The gadget selection window opens.
2Click the gadget you want, then drag it to the Sidebar.
To configure a gadget:  
1In the Sidebar, right-click the gadget, then click Options. The gadget’s configuration 
window opens.
2Make the changes you want, then click OK. Your changes are saved. Tip
To shop online for more gadgets, click Get more gadgets online.
To delete a gadget, right-click the gadget, then click Close Gadget.
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Using a gadget’s control panel
Some gadgets have built-in control panels that you can use to control their behavior.
To use a gadget’s control panel:  
1In the Sidebar, hold the mouse pointer over the gadget. The gadget’s built-in control panel 
appears on the gadget. (Slideshow gadget shown)
2Click the control you want to operate.
Configuring the gadget Sidebar
You can change the appearance and behavior of the Sidebar.
To change Sidebar properties:  
1Right-click in an empty area of the Sidebar, then click Properties. The Windows Sidebar 
Properties dialog box opens.
You can change:
•Whether the Sidebar starts each time Windows starts
•Whether the Sidebar is always on top of other windows (always visible)
•The side of the screen the sidebar appears on
•The monitor that the sidebar appears on (if you have multiple monitors)
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