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.