3. Personalizing Your Desktop

All your desktop features can be personalized through the KDE Control Center. In this section, we focus on how to change the look and feel of the desktop and the panel.

3.1. Changing Your Desktop's Appearance

Figure 1.6. Changing KDE's Color Scheme

Changing KDE's Color Scheme

To change the desktop color scheme, open the Appearance & ThemesColors section. In the Color Scheme list are predefined color schemes. Select the one you like and click Apply.

You can also define custom color schemes: click on the element you want to change (for example, Active Window to change the active window colors), then on the color bar. Then, choose the color you like and click OK to apply it.

Clicking on Save Scheme allows you save the color scheme for later use. Fill its name and click OK. Clicking Remove Scheme removes the currently selected customized color scheme. Note that predefined color schemes cannot be removed.

[Warning] Warning

You are not asked for confirmation before removing a color scheme. Therefore use the Remove Scheme button carefully.

Figure 1.7. Changing KDE's Background Wallpaper

Changing KDE's Background Wallpaper

To change the desktop background, open the Appearance & ThemesBackground section. Select the Picture option in the Background section and background scaling, colors and blending in the Options section.

Click the Advanced Options button to adjust settings such as an external program to draw the background, the cache size for images, etc.

[Tip] Tip

All desktop background settings can be applied on a per-desktop basis using the Setting for desktop pull-down list. Please note that doing so consumes more memory.

3.2. Customizing Your Panel

KDE's panel is highly customizable. All features, from the panel's position to its appearance, can be set up to better suit your preferences. Right click on the panel and choose Configure Panel from the menu.

You can also enrich the panel with the applets you use most frequently to have them handy. Right click on the panel and select Add Applet to Panel from the menu. Then search and add the applet you want. In the example, we add a file find and web search applet.

Figure 1.8. Adding an Applet to the Panel

Adding an Applet to the Panel