Windows 8 comes with a default set of colors and patterns to personalize the Start screen and there isn’t an option if anyone want to add their own background images. However that doesn’t mean that people can’t find alternate ways to customize the Windows 8’s Start screen, Decor8 from Stardock does just that. The application allows users to change the background of the new Start by using images that come bundled or by importing files already in the user’s PC.
Features included in Decor8 include: change the Start screen image, ability to set one or multiple backgrounds in a “slide mode”, automatically adjust the scheme color of Windows to match the image or the user can use a custom color scheme (background, standard tile, accent and text color). Additionally, the application can scale and fade any image to fit the screen.
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It also provides options to change the number of rows to display tiles, how to control the parallax scrolling — this is the effect that moves the background when you scroll the Start screen –, and whether to apply the color scheme to chrams — More feature details.
I usually do not recommend applications to change the appearance of Windows, but Stardock Decor8 seems to be solid; it does not have a learning curve, it is very flexible, and incorporates various features to Windows 8 that otherwise you could not have. One thing to note is that changes can be previewed immediately — just press the Windows key.
Now, here is the catch, the application isn’t free; it is $4.99, but it comes with a 30-day trial. Decor8 is worth the price and it does a really good job decorating Windows 8.
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Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].