How to create and change the SharePoint 2010 master page through SharePoint Designer?

How to create and change the SharePoint 2010 master page through SharePoint Designer?

Different Types of Master Pages:

• v4.master:  It is being used in Team site Home page, list and library pages.

• minimal.master:  It is being used with search result page.

• nightandday.master: It is used with publishing sites.

Path of Master Page :\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\14\TEMPLATE\GLOBAL\.

So, we can customize the style of all these master pages according to our requirements.

Steps

• Log into your SharePoint site as an administrator.

Note: SharePoint Designer and Customizing Master Pages and Page Layouts should be enabled at site collection. (Tdo this Site Actions -> Site Settings -> Site Collection Administration-> SharePoint Designer Settings)  

• Open your site in the SharePoint Designer and select Master Pages

SharePoint 2010 uses v4.master by default  

• Make a copy of your existing master page

• Click on Edit file.

• Editor will open and you can make changes here and save it.
   

• Go to Master pages folder -> Set as Default Master Page.

• Now, you can view your changes at your SharePoint site.