Today I have something colorful to share with you, but it is not for your home. It is for your computer’s desktop background screen image. It is a way that will help you keep files and folders on your computer organized and easy to find.
Imagine opening up your computer where you’re greeted with a pretty desktop background, perfectly appointed files, and useful folders. Instead of, you know, dozens of nameless documents, and duplicate photos scattered all over the screen?
This time of year I always yearn for new starts and new organization. Since I don’t have the need for back-to-school supplies like notebooks, I thought I would come up with something I do need… a new background image for my laptop. Instead of using a favorite photo or the default image that comes with the computer.
I have found having an image that is like a memo board helps keep folders and files you are working organized and not just scattered all over the screen. Having a background with sections or columns to place your files and folders makes it much easier to find them.
If I write a sticky note, I can drag it to my To-Do section. Before I close up for the day, I always try to have my To-Do column cleaned off.
I made a .jpg image of this desktop background that you can download and save just as you would any of your favorite photos and place on your computer’s desktop background display screen.
The image is static, but having three separate columns to place icons make finding what you want at a glance easy.
How To Add the Desktop Background Screen Organizer to Your Computer
1. Find out what size resolution screen your computer has.
For a Mac:
- Select the System Preferences from the Apple Menu, then click on Displays. Next to the word Resolution, make sure your radio button titled “Scaled” is clicked and look to see what resolution is highlighted. This is the size download (below) you will need.
For Windows:
- Click the Start button, then click Control Panel. Under Appearance and Personalization select Adjust screen resolution. Check to make sure the monitor you want to examine is selected in the drop-down Display list. Below that, you will see the drop-down resolution list, with your current setting showing the number of pixels horizontally and vertically. This is the resolution size you will need for your download. Click cancel to leave things as they are.
2. Download the desktop background you need below.
3. Upload the image as your desktop background.
On a Mac:
- Select the System Preference for the Apple menu. Select the Desktop & Screen Saver option. In that window, find where you saved your newly created desktop background and click on the image. This will add the desktop background for you.
For Windows:
- Right-click your desktop and choose Personalize. Select Desktop Background from the windows bottom left. Click your newly created desktop background for the background. Click the Save Changes button.
Optional: To Change the Label Holder Category Titles
You can use Photoshop, Key Note, Power Point, PicMonkey, Canva or any photo editing software to add custom category titles to each label holder.
- Download the .jpg below that says “blank labels” in the size screen resolution you need.
- Upload the image to your photo editing program on your computer.
- Then add your your own category names in the color and font that make sense for the way you use your desktop.
- Then re-save your image and upload to your computer’s desktop background.
If you would like to use fancy fonts: Check out this post where you can download many free fonts to use. Popular Free Fonts to Use
Some ideas would be a category for photos you are editing, or volunteer duties at your child’s school that you need to keep handy and easy to get to.
Find your desktop background screen size below and click on it to download the .jpg
Already Filled in Label Holders: To-Do, File, Misc:
1280×800 | 1366×768 | 1440×900 | 1680×1050 | 1920×1080
1920×1200 | 2560×1440 | 2560×1600 | 2880×1800
Blank Label Holders For You To Fill In Using Photo Editing Software:
1280×800 | 1366×768 | 1440×900 | 1680×1050 | 1920×1080
1920×1200 | 2560×1440 | 2560×1600 | 2880×1800
You will be taken to dropbox. If the image doesn’t open automatically, click on the file name (size numbers) link and it will pop open.
Colored Background
If your eyes prefer a non-white background so the grey file names pop out more, here is a colored background in all screen sizes ready for download.
Filled in Labels:
1280×800 | 1366×768 | 1440×900 | 1680×1050 | 1920×1080
1920×1200 | 2560×1440 | 2560×1600 | 2880×1800
Blank Labels For You to Fill In Using Photo Editing Software
1280×800 | 1366×768 | 1440×900 | 1680×1050 | 1920×1080
1920×1200 | 2560×1440 | 2560×1600 | 2880×1800
Now when you open your computer, you will be greeted not only with some happy color therapy, but organized bliss with your very own desktop background screen. :-)
If you have any problems with the downloads or questions on how I use the background, just let me know.
For more ideas on how I stay organized check out my Planner and my Desk Drawers.
Sue Nordstrom says
Hi Diane
I was fortunate enough to receive a new laptop for Christmas. I have been using your desktop organizer on my desktop for the past few years and love it. I just downloaded the blank heading one for my laptop but can’t seem to put in my own headings like I did before. Any hints? It’s been so long I don’t remember how.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sue – How nice to get a new laptop. :-) Santa was good to you. Do you have a photo editing program on your computer like Photoshop Elements? If so you can upload the image to the editor in that and add the label headings. Canva and Pic Monkey may work also.
aquafreshro says
Thank you so much for this wonderful ideas
Audra Gans says
Thank you, Diane! This wallpaper organizer is great to use and has saved me so much time as a teacher by keeping my documents organized. I really appreciate the happy colors too.
Holly says
Brilliant idea!! Thank you!!
Anne says
I just downloaded it and I love it! Thanks so much!!!
Rachelle Williams says
Hi! My friend Donna shared this with me on our planner Facebook page Southern Charm Planners. (https://mylifeonestoryatatime.com/2016/09/21/an-organized-screen-saver/) This is great!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Rachelle – Thanks. I will have to go over to Donna’s blog and thank her for sharing.
Joely Gotobed says
Hello… love this idea and so looking forward to using this for the new year when I get back to work. It would be nice tat board have option for background picture that I already have (such as pics of our kids and family vacation).
Sheryll $ Critters. says
I only have a 7 inch, Amazon Kindle Fire. Will this work for me? It is the $50.00 one.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sheryll – I am not sure what the resolution is for that screen. If you can find out, you may be able to use one of the sizes I made up.
Donna McBroom-Theriot says
Oh My Gosh! I am so happy I could spit – if I weren’t a lady that is. I am always changing my screen saver and have to make sure that I can all of the files on my laptop screen. This is perfect. I chose the one with the colored backgrounds and I am so happy! And the bonus is sitting down to “pretty” each. day. Thank you so much for sharing this with your readers.
Susan Stevenson says
Thanks so much Diane! I love it but I need the colored background. Did you add the download for those? I couldn’t locate them.
Thank you they are great!
Melissa says
This is so FANTASTIC! What a great idea! I love it—thank you!
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Melissa – It makes me happy to be able to share it. I had to do some research on screen sizes, but once I got that figured out it was easy to create.
Julie Bagamary says
Very clever
Sue says
Love, love, love this post! i want to get this on my computer right away. Great idea!!!
Sue says
Having trouble changing the headings for each section…picmonkey will let me add text but I can’t figure out how to delete what’s there currently
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sue –
This is the first time I have posted something like this, so I knew I would need to make a few tweaks since every reader uses different software. I thought PicMonkey had a brush tool, but I see it does not. What size do you need and I will email it to you without the categories written in. I will then make a batch of new images with blank label holders so readers can add their own categories. I will get them on the site this afternoon.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sue – I just added the backdrop with blank labels in all sizes to the post so that you can now easily just add your new text in PicMonkey.
Jenny says
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Jen D. says
Cute! I’m not computer savvy, so if I do this I will need help from hubby or other family member. Lol…it’s like reading Greek for me.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Jen – It is so easy to do. All it is, is a background photograph that is simply added as a background image for your screen. If someone in your family works on a computer I am sure they have changed their background by adding a family photo or favorite color. Once you see it done, you will say, Wow, I never knew how easy it was to change the background to personalize my computer. :-)
Linda O'Neill says
This is way over the top cute. I LOVE it. It’s different and functional at the same time. Great post. Will be working on doing this to my computer tomorrow.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Linda – Thanks – I like the white columns and can see the grey filed names, but others may want colored columns. I will be adding an image with colored background columns later today. It may be easier to see the names of the file names or some computers. Enjoy your weekend. :-)