Five Easy Ways to Tweak the Look of Windows 8.1

Yes, this is actually Windows

As we know, Windows 8.1 doesn't provide the same high level of customization as other platforms out there, but it still comes with options that give you the power to change the essential settings, such as colors and icons, while third-party applications also come with something extra that bring support for visual styles and other elements.

Step 1: change the Start screen background

One of the best things about Windows 8.1 and 8.1 Update is the built-in option that allows you to change the Start screen background. Windows 8 came with multiple built-in Start screen backgrounds, but starting with Windows 8.1, you are also allowed to use the desktop wallpaper on the Start screen as well.

Microsoft says that this is actually a pretty helpful feature improvement because it eases the transition from the desktop to the Start screen and vice-versa, as many users have actually criticized the Start menu replacement for its touch-oriented approach.

Do change the background, go over to the Start screen, move the mouse cursor to the right side of the screen, wait for the charms to appear, click on “Settings,” then hit the “Personalize” option and then choose any of the available wallpapers.

Alternatively, you can right-click the taskbar, hit “Properties” and in the “Navigation” tab enable the option that says “Show my desktop background on Start.”

Tip: use a clean and simple wallpaper. Avoid photos with celebrities, cars, or other objects because they do not look good when the Start screen live tiles are displayed on top of it.

Step 2: change the taskbar and windows colors

If you right-click the desktop and hit the “Personalize” option, you'll discover a completely new world. This menu allows you to change several visual settings, including the desktop backgrounds, colors, and the screensaver.

As far as colors are concerned, Windows 8.1 is by default configured to use the “Auto” option, which basically changes the color depending on your desktop background. If you'd like a different color, just choose the one you want and hit the save button.

Step 3: deploy a Start menu app

If you're a Microsoft enthusiast, you sure know that the lack of a Start menu is one of the main setbacks of modern Windows, but Microsoft has promised to address these issues in future updates.

There are plenty of such apps out there, but Classic Shell continues to be one of the leading choices for the majority of users, especially because it has a user-friendly interface and options that allow users to quickly shut down their computers or access installed apps.

Microsoft's Start menu is rumored to return sometime in August, and according to information provided by the company itself, could come with live tiles, a search box, and power controls at one-click distance.

Step 4: choose a different mouse cursor

If you're tired of the old mouse cursor that's available in Windows 8 and you're looking for something a bit more eye-catchy, no problem.

There are plenty of third-party skins for the mouse cursor out there and the best of all is that they aren't even requiring you to deploy some sort of application to use them.

Basically, the only thing you need to do is to download the pack, right-click the INI file and click install. All files are automatically copied to your computer and you can then enable the new mouse cursor by opening the “Mouse properties” screen in Control Panel.

As said, there are lots of such cursor themes out there, so we can't really tell you which one to choose, but the “Shadow cursor” theme would be a good way to start.

Step 5: use desktop widgets

Microsoft removed the desktop widgets that were available in Windows 7.

In the meantime, third-party apps can still help you and Rainmeter is clearly the first name that comes in one's mind. This application might not be so easy to use and it requires some basic coding skills, but there are thousands of themes out there that could really come in handy.
There still are some ways to bring back the old gadgets in Windows 8.1 Update, but we wouldn't recommend them, as they might slow down the operating system and turn your desktop into a cluttered working environment.

Tip: try to use only a handful of widgets, as they might affect system performance. Rainmeter doesn't hamper system performance, but if you go for another app, it might have an impact on the way your computer loads apps.