I have a question about How do I make the background of desktop icon text transparent?:

I have two new XP computers. Out of the box, the text under the icons did not have a box with a background color. That is, the text appeared to be right on the background graphic. Some software that I installed changed this by picking a background color for one of my machines, and now there is a rectangular box showing the background color around the text on all desktop icons. My other machine (also a new XP machine with all updates) does not have this problem, and I have not needed to use any special utilities of the type suggested by other users. I also note that the text under the icons with my second machine is underlined (which is OK). Can anyone tell me how to re-set the options back to get the text underlined and to remove the background box around the text underneathe the icons without using a special utility? I know it is possible to do without buying a special utility program since I am looking at my other machine now and there is no problem. Thanks, Pam

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

My Computer properties> Advanced tab > Performance Settings > check "Use drop shadows 
for icon labels on desktop."






On Wednesday, January 1, 2003 at 8:08 pm, Pam wrote:
>I have a question about How 
>do I make the background of desktop icon text transparent?:
I have two new 
>XP computers. Out of the box, the text under the icons did not have a box with a 
>background color. That is, the text appeared to be right on the background graphic. 
>Some software that I installed changed this by picking a background color for one 
>of my machines, and now there is a rectangular box showing the background color 
around 
>the text on all desktop icons. My other machine (also a new XP machine with all 
updates) 
>does not have this problem, and I have not needed to use any special utilities of 
>the type suggested by other users. I also note that the text under the icons with 
>my second machine is underlined (which is OK). Can anyone tell me how to re-set 
the 
>options back to get the text underlined and to remove the background box around 
the 
>text underneathe the icons without using a special utility? I know it is possible 
>to do without buying a special utility program since I am looking at my other machine 
>now and there is no problem. Thanks, Pam 
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi, If you have locked the icons to your desktop, or have synchronized any sort of web content with your desktop, this will cause the rectangles to appear. This info may help. Good luck. Rob


On Wednesday, January 1, 2003 at 8:08 pm, Pam wrote:
>I have a question about How
>do I make the background of desktop icon text transparent?:

I have two new
>XP computers. Out of the box, the text under the icons did not have a box with a
>background color. That is, the text appeared to be right on the background graphic.
>Some software that I installed changed this by picking a background color for one
>of my machines, and now there is a rectangular box showing the background color around
>the text on all desktop icons. My other machine (also a new XP machine with all updates)
>does not have this problem, and I have not needed to use any special utilities of
>the type suggested by other users. I also note that the text under the icons with
>my second machine is underlined (which is OK). Can anyone tell me how to re-set the
>options back to get the text underlined and to remove the background box around the
>text underneathe the icons without using a special utility? I know it is possible
>to do without buying a special utility program since I am looking at my other machine
>now and there is no problem. Thanks, Pam
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi, Thanks for the suggestion. One more question. How do I know if I have locked the icons to my desktop? I obviously do not know how to do this, but some software that I recently installed may have done this. Can I fix it if I delete shortcuts? Warmly, Pam


On Thursday, January 2, 2003 at 1:43 pm, Rob wrote:
>Hi, If you have locked the icons to your desktop, or have synchronized any sort
>of web content with your desktop, this will cause the rectangles to appear. This
>info may help. Good luck. Rob
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi, Simply right click on the desktop, and highlight (hold the cursor over) the first option "Arrange Icons By" and then look at the resulting list to see if there is a check next to "Lock Web Items on Desktop". If there is a check, left click on this line to uncheck it. Hope this helps. Rob


On Thursday, January 2, 2003 at 4:03 pm, Pam wrote:
>Hi,
>Thanks for the suggestion. One more question. How do I know if I have locked the
>icons to my desktop? I obviously do not know how to do this, but some software that
>I recently installed may have done this. Can I fix it if I delete shortcuts?
>Warmly,
>Pam
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I have tried ALL of these things. I have checked to make sure my desktop is not locked. I have made sure the correct box is checked under "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop". I even tried downloading WindowsFX and checking the appropriate box on that, and even it didn't make the boxes transparent. I can't figure out what in the heck to do. They were transparent until I pasted an image onto my desktop, then the colored boxes appeared. I took that image off and trashed it, and still can't get the boxes transparent. I'm at a total loss......


On Thursday, January 2, 2003 at 5:01 pm, Rob wrote:
>Hi, Simply right click on the desktop, and highlight (hold the cursor over) the first
>option "Arrange Icons By" and then look at the resulting list to see if there is
>a check next to "Lock Web Items on Desktop". If there is a check, left click on
>this line to uncheck it. Hope this helps. Rob
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi, Right click on desktop. Click down to Properties, then open the Desktop tab. Click on the Customize Desktop button, then open the Web tab. Delete everything in the Web Pages box except, My Current Home Page. Press OK, then Apply, and maybe OK again. Possibly restart for settings to take effect. Should solve the problem. Good luck, Rob


On Thursday, January 9, 2003 at 11:04 pm, Jefferson wrote:
>I have tried ALL of these things. I have checked to make sure my desktop is not
>locked. I have made sure the correct box is checked under "Use drop shadows for
>icon labels on the desktop". I even tried downloading WindowsFX and checking the
>appropriate box on that, and even it didn't make the boxes transparent. I can't figure
>out what in the heck to do. They were transparent until I pasted an image onto my
>desktop, then the colored boxes appeared. I took that image off and trashed it,
>and still can't get the boxes transparent. I'm at a total loss......
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi, See my response to "Jefferson" further down in your string of messages. Might help. Rob


On Thursday, January 2, 2003 at 4:03 pm, Pam wrote:
>Hi,
>Thanks for the suggestion. One more question. How do I know if I have locked the
>icons to my desktop? I obviously do not know how to do this, but some software that
>I recently installed may have done this. Can I fix it if I delete shortcuts?
>Warmly,
>Pam
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

You wonderful wonderful man. : ) It worked. I became obsessed with this last night and spent two hours tinkering with it. Thank you very much for your help!


On Friday, January 10, 2003 at 2:37 am, Rob wrote:
>Hi,
>Right click on desktop. Click down to Properties, then open the Desktop tab. Click
>on the Customize Desktop button, then open the Web tab. Delete everything in the
>Web Pages box except, My Current Home Page. Press OK, then Apply, and maybe OK again.
> Possibly restart for settings to take effect. Should solve the problem. Good luck,
>Rob
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

The just had this problem It started when I set a picture on a website as a desktop item, hoping to use it as wallpaper. I should have set it as background instead. This started the active desktop. All you have to do is deactivate the desktop item. Just go to Display Properties > Desktop > Customize Desktop > Web > then delete or deactivate the webpages that are causing your problem. Hope this helps. Andre'


On Wednesday, January 1, 2003 at 8:08 pm, Pam wrote:
>I have a question about How
>do I make the background of desktop icon text transparent?:

I have two new
>XP computers. Out of the box, the text under the icons did not have a box with a
>background color. That is, the text appeared to be right on the background graphic.
>Some software that I installed changed this by picking a background color for one
>of my machines, and now there is a rectangular box showing the background color around
>the text on all desktop icons. My other machine (also a new XP machine with all updates)
>does not have this problem, and I have not needed to use any special utilities of
>the type suggested by other users. I also note that the text under the icons with
>my second machine is underlined (which is OK). Can anyone tell me how to re-set the
>options back to get the text underlined and to remove the background box around the
>text underneathe the icons without using a special utility? I know it is possible
>to do without buying a special utility program since I am looking at my other machine
>now and there is no problem. Thanks, Pam
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

That means you cannot have active content and transparency at the same time? Thats too bad! :(( Ain't there any solution for that?


On Sunday, January 26, 2003 at 7:12 pm, andre' wrote:
>The just had this problem It started when I set a picture on a website as a desktop
>item, hoping to use it as wallpaper. I should have set it as background instead.
> This started the active desktop. All you have to do is deactivate the desktop item.
> Just go to Display Properties > Desktop > Customize Desktop > Web > then delete
>or deactivate the webpages that are causing your problem. Hope this helps.
>Andre'
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi Also have a look at MSDN Knowledge Base Article 227669 - Enable Pointer Shadow Option May Not Work with Multimon. This solved the issue for me, the problem was caused by different color settings on my monitors. Hope it helps someone :o) /Ztinger


On Thursday, January 2, 2003 at 4:03 pm, Pam wrote:
>Hi,
>Thanks for the suggestion. One more question. How do I know if I have locked the
>icons to my desktop? I obviously do not know how to do this, but some software that
>I recently installed may have done this. Can I fix it if I delete shortcuts?
>Warmly,
>Pam
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Right man, thanks, I had the same problem, but only UNCHECKING even "My current homepage" helped. Strange thing that this problem occured directly after an automatic update from Microsoft unless I´ve done anything. I almost started to hate them...


On Friday, January 10, 2003 at 9:07 am, Jefferson wrote:
>You wonderful wonderful man. : )
>
>It worked. I became obsessed with this last night and spent two hours tinkering
>with it. Thank you very much for your help!
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

For some reason or another, Windows XP sometimes forgets certain settings, and transparent text on the desktop seems to be one of them. If you have tried the two most popular steps of making sure 'drop shadows' is enabled in System properties-Advanced-Performance-Visual Effects, and making sure that 'Lock items on desktop' is NOT enabled, then do this. Lock all your items on the desktop. Then, go into your system properties and disable 'drop shadows' then click apply. Once you do this, go ahead and unlock your desktop icons, and go back into system properties and re-enable drop shadows and then click apply. In all liklihood, you should have transparent text on your desktop now.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

There is a known bug with XP that if you have active desktop enabled then the icons loose their "transparancy". I forgot the Knowledge base id number with this issue but Microsoft is aware of it. I would suspect that it is a low priority on thier fix list. I wish they would. Todd


On Thursday, March 13, 2003 at 8:27 am, Michael wrote:
>For some reason or another, Windows XP sometimes forgets certain settings, and transparent
>text on the desktop seems to be one of them.
>
>If you have tried the two most popular steps of making sure 'drop shadows' is enabled
>in System properties-Advanced-Performance-Visual Effects, and making sure that 'Lock
>items on desktop' is NOT enabled, then do this.
>
>Lock all your items on the desktop. Then, go into your system properties and disable
>'drop shadows' then click apply.
>
>Once you do this, go ahead and unlock your desktop icons, and go back into system
>properties and re-enable drop shadows and then click apply.
>
>In all liklihood, you should have transparent text on your desktop now.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

There is a known bug with XP that if you have active desktop enabled then the icons loose their "transparancy". I forgot the Knowledge base id number with this issue but Microsoft is aware of it. I would suspect that it is a low priority on thier fix list. I wish they would. Todd


On Wednesday, February 5, 2003 at 8:03 am, Rex wrote:
>That means you cannot have active content and transparency at the same time? Thats
>too bad! :(( Ain't there any solution for that?
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi, Is there a way to have both synchronized web content AND transparant text? Thx, Tijl


On Thursday, January 2, 2003 at 1:43 pm, Rob wrote:
>Hi, If you have locked the icons to your desktop, or have synchronized any sort
>of web content with your desktop, this will cause the rectangles to appear. This
>info may help. Good luck. Rob
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi, Not that I know of; sorry. Rob


On Saturday, May 24, 2003 at 6:38 am, Tijl Kindt wrote:
>Hi,
>
>Is there a way to have both synchronized web content AND transparant text?
>
>Thx,
>
>Tijl
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I've had XP for around a year, and suddenly several months ago the desktop icons lost their transparency. Since then I've tried every program and technique that was supposed to make them transparent, including all the ones on here, and nothing has worked. Do I have to reinstall Windows XP to get it back? Thanks for your time.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Did you try turning off active desktop? Check even if you think you don't have it turned on. Todd


On Sunday, June 1, 2003 at 8:45 pm, Manda wrote:
>I've had XP for around a year, and suddenly several months ago the desktop icons
>lost their transparency. Since then I've tried every program and technique that was
>supposed to make them transparent, including all the ones on here, and nothing has
>worked. Do I have to reinstall Windows XP to get it back?
>Thanks for your time.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Well.. I'm not sure whether I know what you mean, but I looked under the Web tab in Customize Desktop and no web pages are checked, and lock items is turned off.


On Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at 9:30 am, Todd wrote:
>Did you try turning off active desktop? Check even if you think you don't have it
>turned on.
>
>Todd
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Oh that is it. I have the same issue but only when I have active desktop enabled. When I turn off active desktop then I get my transparency back. Active desktop back on.... transparency gone.


On Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at 10:52 pm, Manda wrote:
>Well.. I'm not sure whether I know what you mean, but I looked under the Web tab
>in Customize Desktop and no web pages are checked, and lock items is turned off.
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

How do I turn active desktop off? Or do I have to do something else? I feel kind of stupid, eh. But thank you.


On Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 9:25 am, Todd wrote:
>Oh that is it. I have the same issue but only when I have active desktop enabled.
> When I turn off active desktop then I get my transparency back. Active desktop
>back on.... transparency gone.
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi Rob-- I'm not as fortunate as Jefferson-- the fix did not work. My desktop icon text boxes are still a solid color and not transparent, and it's amazingly annoying. ANy other ideas? Thanks, Bard


On Friday, January 10, 2003 at 9:07 am, Jefferson wrote:
>You wonderful wonderful man. : )
>
>It worked. I became obsessed with this last night and spent two hours tinkering
>with it. Thank you very much for your help!
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I had this problem and I was able to fix it Even if you have the correct settings you still wont have transparency, you have to turn the transparency off then turn it back on again. Here is how I fixed this problem... right click My Computer, hit the advanced tab, then under performace, click settings, then select custom, uncheck Use drop shadows for icon labels on dekstop. apply these settings then right click your desktop and click the Desktop tab, click Customize desktop and then the web tab, check Lock Dekstop items and hit ok. Then go back and do these steps again only uncheck Lock desktop and check the Use drop shadows for desktop icons. I did this and now I have transparency again.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

None of this crap works, but i think i know why. M$ has the rule... just let them use our software, our rules, and our file-formats, otherwise make it uncompatible. Well then just edit your wallpaper and save it as BMP and all your problems will be solved. This does not makes us happy right ? Didn't tested it with JPG-images, but anyway, if your wallpaper is in PNG you can do whatever you want, but you WON'T get transparancy. Best Regards, Patrick


On Friday, July 18, 2003 at 4:30 pm, Daniel Pumpkin wrote:
>
>I had this problem and I was able to fix it
>
>Even if you have the correct settings you still wont have transparency, you have
>to turn the transparency off then turn it back on again.
>
>Here is how I fixed this problem...
>
>right click My Computer, hit the advanced tab, then under performace, click settings,
>then select custom, uncheck Use drop shadows for icon labels on dekstop.
>
>apply these settings then right click your desktop and click the Desktop tab, click
>Customize desktop and then the web tab, check Lock Dekstop items and hit ok.
>
>Then go back and do these steps again only uncheck Lock desktop and check the Use
>drop shadows for desktop icons.
>
>I did this and now I have transparency again.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

John your a genius had the same problem was doing my fruit in many many thanks again for being so informative regards Mike uk


On Friday, January 10, 2003 at 9:07 am, Jefferson wrote:
>You wonderful wonderful man. : )
>
>It worked. I became obsessed with this last night and spent two hours tinkering
>with it. Thank you very much for your help!
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi Has anyone tried the "Auto Desktop Wallpaper Changer" available for free download at: http://www.toms-world.org/index ? Says there that he wrote the program to include a Transparent icon text box option. Let me know how it goes. Good luck.


On Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at 1:16 am, Patrick Bielen wrote:
>None of this crap works, but i think i know why.
>M$ has the rule... just let them use our software,
>our rules, and our file-formats, otherwise make it
>uncompatible. Well then just edit your wallpaper and
>save it as BMP and all your problems will be solved.
>
>This does not makes us happy right ?
>Didn't tested it with JPG-images, but anyway, if your
>wallpaper is in PNG you can do whatever you want,
>but you WON'T get transparancy.
>
>Best Regards,
>
>Patrick
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

On Friday, January 10, 2003 at 2:37 am, Rob wrote:
>Hi,
>Right click on desktop. Click down to Properties, then open the Desktop tab. Click
>on the Customize Desktop button, then open the Web tab. Delete everything in the
>Web Pages box except, My Current Home Page. Press OK, then Apply, and maybe OK again.
> Possibly restart for settings to take effect. Should solve the problem. Good luck,
>Rob
>
> Thank you so much!!! I tried all the other things here, but none of them worked. P.S.-you dont have to have "My Current Home Page" checked, and you dont need to restart.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Everyone now knows that drop shadows is enabled through the advanced tab of System Properties (Windows Key + Pause/Break), under performance, section titled visual effect, AND that items must be unlocked and active desktop enabled (well documented). A recently opened user account will have drop shadows as default. What about the poor souls who do not wish to create a new account to reduce application data related headaches, but texts is still in a solid colored box ? someone mentioned registry keys re: active desktop, i think my problem must be under current user, as new accounts appear unaffected. Tried re-enabling themes, no avail. Use TweakUI and Tweaking Toolbox XP, minimal services. Both tweaking apps. only relate to desktop settings re icon colors and active desktop. Please help !

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thanks very much Rob this helped my problem

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Removing Shortcut Arrows on Desktop Icons

Hi folks - I used to have 'clear type' on my Desktop too and for some reason, I've gotten rid of the shortcut arrows but layer with the colored boxes on them are back under the layer with the name of the Icon's program. There is a program called Transparent - this program will do the trick too! You can have Transparent W (for white type), Transparent B (for black type) or Transparent that will either make the type under the icon the color of your wallpaper or either black or white (depending on your wallpaper). Check it out: www.transparent.com - it works!

Using WindowsXP, DELL Dimension 3000, I really need this software again (had it on WinME system) but can't seem to find it in your site - and I've been all over the place in this thing looking for it. Would you please help me out with this?


On Wednesday, January 1, 2003 at 9:39 pm, jagged ben wrote:
>
>My Computer properties> Advanced tab > Performance Settings > check "Use drop shadows
>for icon labels on desktop."
>
>Don't know where you got that information but it doesn't work to get the results that these people are asking about. You'll get a shadow - but the colored box won't go away . . .

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Removing Shortcut Arrows on Desktop Icons

There is a program (FreeWare) that's called - www.transparent.com - check it out, read it, your problems with the colored boxes will be solved. ArtFreek

Using WindowsXP, DELL Dimension 3000, I really need this software again (had it on WinME system) but can't seem to find it in your site - and I've been all over the place in this thing looking for it. Would you please help me out with this?


On Wednesday, January 1, 2003 at 8:08 pm, Pam wrote:
>I have a question about How
>do I make the background of desktop icon text transparent?:

I have two new
>XP computers. Out of the box, the text under the icons did not have a box with a
>background color. That is, the text appeared to be right on the background graphic.
>Some software that I installed changed this by picking a background color for one
>of my machines, and now there is a rectangular box showing the background color around
>the text on all desktop icons. My other machine (also a new XP machine with all updates)
>does not have this problem, and I have not needed to use any special utilities of
>the type suggested by other users. I also note that the text under the icons with
>my second machine is underlined (which is OK). Can anyone tell me how to re-set the
>options back to get the text underlined and to remove the background box around the
>text underneathe the icons without using a special utility? I know it is possible
>to do without buying a special utility program since I am looking at my other machine
>now and there is no problem. Thanks, Pam
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

It's July 2005, more than 2 years since you responded to this problem.  I've had 
the same annoying problem, from out of the blue, for months.  No responses from other 
forums helped get rid of the shadow boxes.  But your solution worked immediately! 
 And I didn't have to restart my computer.  Annoyances.org rocks!  Thanks a million.







On Wednesday, February 5, 2003 at 8:03 am, Rex wrote:

>That means you cannot have active content and transparency at the same time? Thats 

>too bad! :(( Ain't there any solution for that?

>

>
 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

This worked for me!! I've tried every other suggestion--all to no avail. But this one worked and now I have my transparent desktop icon textboxes back again. Thanks!


On Friday, January 10, 2003 at 2:37 am, Rob wrote:
>Hi,
>Right click on desktop. Click down to Properties, then open the Desktop tab. Click
>on the Customize Desktop button, then open the Web tab. Delete everything in the
>Web Pages box except, My Current Home Page. Press OK, then Apply, and maybe OK again.
> Possibly restart for settings to take effect. Should solve the problem. Good luck,
>Rob
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

As noted numerous times, the below “Simple Method” should work for most folks. If 
it does not, please see the alternative second method listed below:

The Simple Method:

1.) Right click “My Computer,” hit the “Advanced” tab, then under “Performace,” click 
on “Settings,” then select “Custom,” uncheck “Use drop shadows for icon labels on 
desktop.” Then click on “Apply” to enable the new setting.

2.)  Right click your desktop and click the “Desktop” tab. Next click “Customize 
desktop” and then the “Web” tab. Lastly, checkmark the “Lock Desktop items” and then 
click “OK.”

3.) Then go back and repeat these steps again, only uncheck “Lock desktop” and check 
the “Use drop shadows for desktop icons.”

You should then have transparency again on your Windows XP desktop. If this does 
NOT work, then you are more than likely suffering from this affliction because of 
a dreaded virus/spyware infection that has changed your Registry settings to force 
“Active Desktop” regardless of your custom changes.

I have seen this Registry setting changed in systems that have been infected with 
the “Home Search Assistant” virus/spyware and “Cool Web” virus/spyware and all its 
variants. The reason that virus/spyware does this is to control your desktop with 
active ads, etc, etc.


The Virus/Spyware Method:

1.) First you must rid your system of this insidious virus/spyware or any changes 
you make will only revert back to your Desktop being reversed to an “Active Desktop” 
controlled once again by the virus/spyware. If you have the “Cool Web Search” virus/spyware, 
please use the CWShredder Removal Tool available at the below address:

http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/

If you have the even more insidious “Home Search Assistant” a.ka.a “Home Search Extender,” 
“Shopping Wizard” virus/spyware, prepare yourself for a good couple of hours of PC 
cleaning and disinfecting. Use the best “Home Search Assistant” Removal guide I have 
seen yet at the below address:

http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=259

You may also get lucky and simply be able to run the “Home Search Assistant” Removal 
Tool (HSRemove.exe) at the below address:

http://www.hsremove.com

2.) Once you are certain that the virus/spyware has been removed, the open up the 
Windows Registry by double-clicking on “RegEdit.exe” in your “C:/Windows” directory.

3.) Then, double-click on the directory tree until you are at the below key:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]

4.) Look for a DWord Value (blue and white icon in the right window pane) that is 
labeled “ForceActiveDesktopOn.” Right click this DWord Value and choose “Modify.” 
Then, change the “Value Data” from a “1” to a “0” and click on “OK.” (Note: 1=Enable 
and 0=Disable)

5.) Reboot your system.

6.) After, re-boot then right click your desktop and click the “Desktop” tab. Next 
click “Customize desktop” and then the “Web” tab. Checkmark the “Lock Desktop items” 
and then click “OK.”

7.) Repeat Step 6, but this time uncheck the “Lock Desktop items” and then click 
“OK.”

This should restore the transparent background to your Desktop Icons. If not re-boot 
once more and hopefully that will complete the changes.

I hope this helps all those folks afflicted by this annoyance. Good luck and feel 
free to leave your comments! :)

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Thanks alot Amy, the whole regedit thing is what I was missing, once I turned it off It worked.


On Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 8:20 am, Amy Drew wrote:
>As noted numerous times, the below “Simple Method” should work for most folks. If
>it does not, please see the alternative second method listed below:
>
>The Simple Method:
>
>1.) Right click “My Computer,” hit the “Advanced” tab, then under “Performace,” click
>on “Settings,” then select “Custom,” uncheck “Use drop shadows for icon labels on
>desktop.” Then click on “Apply” to enable the new setting.
>
>2.) Right click your desktop and click the “Desktop” tab. Next click “Customize
>desktop” and then the “Web” tab. Lastly, checkmark the “Lock Desktop items” and then
>click “OK.”
>
>3.) Then go back and repeat these steps again, only uncheck “Lock desktop” and check
>the “Use drop shadows for desktop icons.”
>
>You should then have transparency again on your Windows XP desktop. If this does
>NOT work, then you are more than likely suffering from this affliction because of
>a dreaded virus/spyware infection that has changed your Registry settings to force
>“Active Desktop” regardless of your custom changes.
>
>I have seen this Registry setting changed in systems that have been infected with
>the “Home Search Assistant” virus/spyware and “Cool Web” virus/spyware and all its
>variants. The reason that virus/spyware does this is to control your desktop with
>active ads, etc, etc.
>
>
>The Virus/Spyware Method:
>
>1.) First you must rid your system of this insidious virus/spyware or any changes
>you make will only revert back to your Desktop being reversed to an “Active Desktop”
>controlled once again by the virus/spyware. If you have the “Cool Web Search” virus/spyware,
>please use the CWShredder Removal Tool available at the below address:
>
>http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/
>
>If you have the even more insidious “Home Search Assistant” a.ka.a “Home Search Extender,”
>“Shopping Wizard” virus/spyware, prepare yourself for a good couple of hours of PC
>cleaning and disinfecting. Use the best “Home Search Assistant” Removal guide I have
>seen yet at the below address:
>
>http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=259
>
>You may also get lucky and simply be able to run the “Home Search Assistant” Removal
>Tool (HSRemove.exe) at the below address:
>
>http://www.hsremove.com
>
>2.) Once you are certain that the virus/spyware has been removed, the open up the
>Windows Registry by double-clicking on “RegEdit.exe” in your “C:/Windows” directory.
>
>3.) Then, double-click on the directory tree until you are at the below key:
>
>[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
>Explorer]
>
>4.) Look for a DWord Value (blue and white icon in the right window pane) that is
>labeled “ForceActiveDesktopOn.” Right click this DWord Value and choose “Modify.”
>Then, change the “Value Data” from a “1” to a “0” and click on “OK.” (Note: 1=Enable
>and 0=Disable)
>
>5.) Reboot your system.
>
>6.) After, re-boot then right click your desktop and click the “Desktop” tab. Next
>click “Customize desktop” and then the “Web” tab. Checkmark the “Lock Desktop items”
>and then click “OK.”
>
>7.) Repeat Step 6, but this time uncheck the “Lock Desktop items” and then click
>“OK.”
>
>This should restore the transparent background to your Desktop Icons. If not re-boot
>once more and hopefully that will complete the changes.
>
>I hope this helps all those folks afflicted by this annoyance. Good luck and feel
>free to leave your comments! :)

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Amy u are a star!!! It worked gr8! Thanks!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

None of these have worked for me. Here's my situation:

A few months ago, I clean-reinstalled Windows totally (Kerio PFW and F-Secure AV). I have had no problems since. However, yesterday I tried to change my wallpaper but found that I had no transparency -- and the quality of the picture was *horrible*. I System Restored to an earlier, but apparently the Registry (or some program) didn't bother to notice the Restore, and now if I try to change my wallpaper it just 1) won't preview and 2) reverts to the bad-quality-no-transparency setting upon change, no matter what I do. (yes, I've tried everything in here -- I have never had anything but the 'my current home page' under Web and sometimes when I try to reboot in the 'bad state' the settings reset [well, nothing has any actual effect]).

As long as I don't try to change my wallpaper, I'm OK. Repeat, I have NOT had any relative problems before.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

This worked for me too. Thank you very much.


On Friday, January 10, 2003 at 9:07 am, Jefferson wrote:
>You wonderful wonderful man. : )
>
>It worked. I became obsessed with this last night and spent two hours tinkering
>with it. Thank you very much for your help!
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

You are a GOD!! Thank you very, very much. My desktop icons are normal again. The regedit.exe was the key.


On Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 8:20 am, Amy Drew wrote:
>As noted numerous times, the below “Simple Method” should work for most folks. If
>it does not, please see the alternative second method listed below:
>
>The Simple Method:
>
>1.) Right click “My Computer,” hit the “Advanced” tab, then under “Performace,” click
>on “Settings,” then select “Custom,” uncheck “Use drop shadows for icon labels on
>desktop.” Then click on “Apply” to enable the new setting.
>
>2.) Right click your desktop and click the “Desktop” tab. Next click “Customize
>desktop” and then the “Web” tab. Lastly, checkmark the “Lock Desktop items” and then
>click “OK.”
>
>3.) Then go back and repeat these steps again, only uncheck “Lock desktop” and check
>the “Use drop shadows for desktop icons.”
>
>You should then have transparency again on your Windows XP desktop. If this does
>NOT work, then you are more than likely suffering from this affliction because of
>a dreaded virus/spyware infection that has changed your Registry settings to force
>“Active Desktop” regardless of your custom changes.
>
>I have seen this Registry setting changed in systems that have been infected with
>the “Home Search Assistant” virus/spyware and “Cool Web” virus/spyware and all its
>variants. The reason that virus/spyware does this is to control your desktop with
>active ads, etc, etc.
>
>
>The Virus/Spyware Method:
>
>1.) First you must rid your system of this insidious virus/spyware or any changes
>you make will only revert back to your Desktop being reversed to an “Active Desktop”
>controlled once again by the virus/spyware. If you have the “Cool Web Search” virus/spyware,
>please use the CWShredder Removal Tool available at the below address:
>
>http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/
>
>If you have the even more insidious “Home Search Assistant” a.ka.a “Home Search Extender,”
>“Shopping Wizard” virus/spyware, prepare yourself for a good couple of hours of PC
>cleaning and disinfecting. Use the best “Home Search Assistant” Removal guide I have
>seen yet at the below address:
>
>http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=259
>
>You may also get lucky and simply be able to run the “Home Search Assistant” Removal
>Tool (HSRemove.exe) at the below address:
>
>http://www.hsremove.com
>
>2.) Once you are certain that the virus/spyware has been removed, the open up the
>Windows Registry by double-clicking on “RegEdit.exe” in your “C:/Windows” directory.
>
>3.) Then, double-click on the directory tree until you are at the below key:
>
>[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
>Explorer]
>
>4.) Look for a DWord Value (blue and white icon in the right window pane) that is
>labeled “ForceActiveDesktopOn.” Right click this DWord Value and choose “Modify.”
>Then, change the “Value Data” from a “1” to a “0” and click on “OK.” (Note: 1=Enable
>and 0=Disable)
>
>5.) Reboot your system.
>
>6.) After, re-boot then right click your desktop and click the “Desktop” tab. Next
>click “Customize desktop” and then the “Web” tab. Checkmark the “Lock Desktop items”
>and then click “OK.”
>
>7.) Repeat Step 6, but this time uncheck the “Lock Desktop items” and then click
>“OK.”
>
>This should restore the transparent background to your Desktop Icons. If not re-boot
>once more and hopefully that will complete the changes.
>
>I hope this helps all those folks afflicted by this annoyance. Good luck and feel
>free to leave your comments! :)

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

hey michael. thanx a lot...my dad tried to copy some written content directly to d desktop,n i had got d same problem...now it is solved....m rly grateful to u man!!!.. thanx


On Thursday, March 13, 2003 at 8:27 am, Michael wrote:
>For some reason or another, Windows XP sometimes forgets certain settings, and transparent
>text on the desktop seems to be one of them.
>
>If you have tried the two most popular steps of making sure 'drop shadows' is enabled
>in System properties-Advanced-Performance-Visual Effects, and making sure that 'Lock
>items on desktop' is NOT enabled, then do this.
>
>Lock all your items on the desktop. Then, go into your system properties and disable
>'drop shadows' then click apply.
>
>Once you do this, go ahead and unlock your desktop icons, and go back into system
>properties and re-enable drop shadows and then click apply.
>
>In all liklihood, you should have transparent text on your desktop now.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I have the same problem, but do you know how to get to my computer properties?


On Thursday, January 9, 2003 at 11:04 pm, Jefferson wrote:
>I have tried ALL of these things. I have checked to make sure my desktop is not
>locked. I have made sure the correct box is checked under "Use drop shadows for
>icon labels on the desktop". I even tried downloading WindowsFX and checking the
>appropriate box on that, and even it didn't make the boxes transparent. I can't figure
>out what in the heck to do. They were transparent until I pasted an image onto my
>desktop, then the colored boxes appeared. I took that image off and trashed it,
>and still can't get the boxes transparent. I'm at a total loss......
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi Rob. Thank you very much for your help.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

• Search this forum
• Start a new thread on a different subject

• Report abuse of the forum