Objectives of this Tutorial
Generally: The objective of this section is to show you how to change the appearance of your desktop and alter some of your system settings.
Specifically: On completion of this section you will be able to:
- Display the Control Panel window
- Change the mouse clicking speed and the appearance of the mouse pointer
- Apply a screen saver
- Change the background of the desktop
- Change the properties of desktop items
- Create desktop shortcuts
- Change the amount of disk space that is taken up by the Recycle Bin
- Change the computer date and time
- Move and hide the Taskbar
- Customise the Taskbar
- Add programs and remove programs from the Start menu
The versatility of Windows 98 means that you can customise it to suit your individual needs. For example, you can choose which icons you want to appear both on the desktop and on the Start menu. You can even change the way the mouse pointer appears on the screen and you can set up a screen saver.
The Control Panel
The Control Panel
is a single location for all commands, controls and functions associated with configuring and customising Windows 98. You should use the commands found here with caution since misuse could degrade the performance of your system.
To open the Control Panel
- From the Start menu, select Settings
- Select Control Panel
The Control Panel window is displayed.

Mouse Properties
To change the clicking speed of your mouse
- From the Start menu, select Settings
- Select Control Panel
- Double-click the Mouse icon
The Mouse Properties dialogue box is displayed.
The Button configuration dialogue box is displayed.

- Set the double-click speed by clicking on the pointer and dragging it towards the desired speed
- Test your clicking skills by double-clicking the Jack in the Box
Tip: Use this dialogue box to switch mouse buttons if you are left-handed.
Continued...