Also, we have confidence that themes for Windows XP will appear on third-party Web sites like C|NET's Web site (at ), which already has countless themes for earlier versions of Windows.

Microsoft promises that you will be able to download other themes from its Web site.

Windows XP ships with two themes: Windows XP (the default 'Luna' theme) and Windows Classic (which looks like earlier versions of Windows). Windows XP combines most of the elements of both into desktop themes.Ī desktop theme provides not only a system of colors and fonts, but also sounds, icons, mouse pointers, a desktop background, and a screen saver as well. Desktop themes were separate Windows components that you could install from your Windows Me/98 CD-ROM, while desktop schemes wre selected from the Display Properties dialog box. Windows 98 and Me had both 'desktop schemes' and desktop themes. By changing themes, you can alter everything about the appearance of your desktop in one fell swoop. A desktop theme is a complete 'look' for your desktop. However, getting a collection of colors, icons, pictures, fonts, mouse pointers, screen savers, and so on that look good together takes more time and artistic talent than most of us have. You can change the appearance of practically anything on your desktop.