Melanie, This is the default Windows XP screen.... You can change the look any way you want. You can have a different desktop, toolbar, whatever. I just happen to be partial to the blue scheme. In my past job I did simulations of Windows 98. ME, and Windows 2000 to enhance my job skills. In those days I had a white, plain desktop so I could better show off the icons I used for the simulations. Now I don't do that work any more, so I am enjoying the colors. Personally, I've tried to be close to the forefront with all this stuff. That's why I got Windows 95, 98 & ME pretty much as soon as they came out. I used Windows 2000 Pro for awhile just because we had it at work. I didn't really like it. I used OS/2 for a year or so before Windows 95 came out. I had the "Release Candidates" (Preview version?) of Windows XP for months before it was officially released. So far Windows XP has been the best operating system I've had. I didn't get a break on the price for participating in the Release Candidate Program. So I just couldn't wait till we got the money to buy the Home Edition!