Customize the Windows 8 Start Screen: Group, Arrange & Name Tiles

Just as with previous versions of Windows, Microsoft has given the user the ability to customize the look and arrangement of the different items on the desktop. With the new release of Windows 8 CP, the user interface paradigm has shifted quite a bit from what users are normally used to. Instead of a desktop with icons, we are now greeted with a Start screen with tiles, and just like with icons, we can decided which tiles to show and which to hide; where to place them and whether to group them together. There is quite a bit of choice with the new Start screen in Windows 8 and I hope to cover most of the customization options in a few short posts.

In this first post I’ll cover how to group, arrange and name live tiles on the Windows 8 Start screen.

In Windows 8, you can pin tiles for websites and this will probably be expanded more when the final release ships later this year. Whenever an app is installed or website is pinned, it will appear on the right hand column on your Start screen. To move the tile around, simply click and hold on the tile and move it to where you would like it to stay and then release the mouse button. This also works with touch-enabled devices. To unpin a tile, right-click on the tile and select the “unpin” action from the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.

Note: Some tiles are live tiles, meaning they can animate with pertinant information, like new email or a calendar event. This option can be seen in the tile toolbar menu as well, if available.

Now you have a screen full of tiles, but want to group them into different categories and name them each category. To do this, you will click on the magnifying glass button on the bottom-right corner of the screen or pinch to zoom if you are using touch.

This will give you a zoomed-out view of your Start screen, which allows the user to drag each group into different arrangements just like you would do with a single tile.

To name a specifice group, highlight the group and then right-click on an open area of the screen while in this view and click on the name option on the toolbar at the bottom (This option is handy if you would like to keep pinned websites and apps separately).

Part II: Customize the Windows 8 Start Screen: Background Theme Color

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Customize the Windows 8 Start Screen: Background Theme Color

In the previous post on customizing the Windows 8 Start screen, I covered how to group, arrange and name live tiles on the Windows 8 Start screen. In this post, I’ll vcover how to change the color and accents used on the background on the Windows 8 Start screen. From what I have been told, the customization options will be expanded greatly when the final version of Windows 8 ships, so this guide will smply cover the Consumer Preview for now.

In the Developer Preview of Windows 8, we had only one color screen to choose from, the default green. In the Consumer Preview, Microsoft has added a larger, albeit still limited, color pallette to choose from when changing the screen background color. To change the background and theme colors for the Windows 8 Start screen, you’ll need to access the ‘PC Settings’ page.

You can find your systems settings by bring up the charms menu. Roll your mouse over to the top or  bottom corner of the right-hand side of the screen to access the charms menu and click on the ‘Settings’ icon.

Then select the ‘More PC settings’ link.

On the Settings page, click the ’Personalize’ option on the left-hand sidebar and select ‘ Start Screen’.  Use the slider on the color palette to choose which theme you would like to use in Windows 8.

Navigate back to the Start screen by tapping the Windows key on your keyboard or the shortcut in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

Part I: Customize the Windows 8 Start Screen: Group, Arrange & Name Tiles

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Famous iOS Customization App “Pimp Your Screen” Lands On The Mac – Download Now!

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Even though iOS and OS X are both very easy on the eye, that doesn’t mean some users wouldn’t like to make changes here and there.

As those running a jailbroken iOS device can vouch – the temptation to call in WinterBoard or Springtomize often proves too much, and before you know it, the one or two visual tweaks you intended to make have turned into a full-scale overhaul, with no stone left unturned.

Even if you’re not jailbroken, though, there are an abundance of App Store residents who are only too keen to help change the way things look. Pimp Your Screen is one such app, jazzing up the SpringBoard and Lockscreen with some superb, high-resolution visual effects.

Developed by Apalon, Pimp Your Screen has now been wonderfully re-thought and improved for the Mac. As with the iOS iteration, the Mac app presents an exclusive collection of optimized background images and wallpapers ready and waiting to grace your computer. Pimp Your Screen has been a popular choice hitherto because it is always updated, and fortunately the Mac version continues this tradition.

You can choose a large catalog of different designs by Apalon’s assortment of pro designers. From the minimalistic, subtle images to the loud, slick and colorful – there’s a design to suit pretty much every mood, and every taste. You can choose from 8 different categories, and images support all Mac resolutions for a perfect fit. You’re able to bookmark the ones you prefer by means of the Favorites folder, and you can check out what’s hot via the Popular tab.

Of course, those with a little Photoshop nous will probably want to create their own designs, but even so, Pimp Your Screen does a stellar job in what it claims to do. There’s social sharing via Twitter and e-mail, enabling those around you to enjoy some of the great designs this app has to offer.

If you want more information on Pimp Your Screen for Mac, check out the developers’ web site, which you can find here.

Download Pimp Your Screen for Mac [Mac App Store Link]

Be sure to check out our Mac OS X Apps Gallery to explore more apps for OS X powered computer.

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