[HowTo] Customize your desktop [HowTo]

Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Downloads and Explanations
III. Setting it up
IV. Customizing
V. Closing Remarks

Introduction
Customization:

Today, I'm going to show you how to do exactly that for your desktop. In other words, I'm going to explain how you can get practical widgets and organize your computer better with this guide. Here is what my desktop currently looks like:

simplistic, clean, and practical.​

You see I don't have a clutter of icons everywhere and a horrid crazy background image to bother me, its efficient and it matches. However you do need a couple of simple programs to make your desktop look like this which I'll explain in the next part.

Downloads and Explanations
Primarily there are only 2 applications you need:
The first would be ObjectDock, which you can download here

simply download and select download directory​

And the second being Rainmeter, which you can download here

same as above​

Now that you have that part done you have the basic programs down. Now for the skins.

Setting it up
Now you don't just want to have the boring default skins that come with the two programs, they're drab and unattractive. Simply google in "Rainmeter skins" or "ObjectDock skins" and find the specific skins you want like so:

​

find a theme or skin you specifically like and download it to your desktop so its easy to locate
Now with the skins and themes downloaded you have to open them up with ObjectDock or Rainmeter to make them start.

Customizing
Run ObjectDock and go to "Preferences" and select add "Icon Pack" and then select the theme you saved on your desktop. Then press "Apply" You should now have that theme set and your icons and dock should look like what you selected.
Now Run Rainmeter and right click the little icon on your taskbar. Select "Use Skin" and then select the skin you've chosen for rainmeter and apply it. You can add any widgets or remove them to your liking and put them wherever you please.
Remove your icons that you left on your desktop and drag them onto the dock if they are not already there. Now you have a clean desktop and cool icons/skin, but what about the wallpaper?
Its not that hard to find cool wallpapers and the place I find the most interesting wallpapers are on 4chan. example:

epic wallpapers usually found in /wg/ link here​

Closing Remarks
If everything has gone according to plan, then your desktop should look quite good, however the customizations are endless and there are so many ways to be unique. Hope you enjoyed my guide.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me or post in this thread with problems.

 

A really nice guide. The writing is juxtaposed alongside the pictures making it easy to understand and follow. It is informative, attractive, and detailed. Good job.

 

Thanks for the feedback finn.

 

Very good guide. I'm sitting here with the ugly pre-made Vista desktops. Nothing besides a sidebar. I think I shall use this, but I need to stop making stupid folders on my desktop >.>

 

Cant really get Rainmeter to work.

 

RocketDock is another nice addition to spice up your desktop in my opinion.

 

Nice guide

 

They have a troubleshooting page on their website. If your problem still persists feel free to PM me

 

This is an amazing guide. Thanks, a bunch.

 

Very nice guide, I can't believe that this work on Vista. Nice, simple yet efficient guide.

- Want to send me your skins?

 

Does this only work for Vista? I have Windows XP.

 

awesome, changing my desktop now, and its been the same since i got it lol... thanks so much it was really boring before

 

Good job! Nice guide

 

Great guide to be honest.
I'm running Vista & I can't get niether program to start up..
When I run ObjectDock it says "ObjectDock has stopped working" & then the choice to find a solution online or close the program.. Any ideas?
When I run Rainmeter it says no configs are active at the moment..

 

great guide, but pics would have been nicer

8/10 =]

 

You need to pick a config for your Rainmeter just right click the trayicon, for ObjectDock you NEED TO INSTALL THE x64 version if you are in 64bit.

 

Wow... i got a boner reading this. Nice job 100%

10/10

10 over 10 tenths.

 

Well I got Rainmeter working =]

But I'm not on 64bit.. So yeah >_> I don't what to do..

 

I'm using windows vista myself, I will try get it running and post DRCL. Oh, nice guide btw.

 

? I have windows XP. So yep