Windows XP, SP3, Laptop, all updates in place. Had to completely rebuild this laptop this week. All went well, except I now have a black box under all desktop icons. Originally they seemed to to transparent. Where can I change this? Also I would like to set all folders to show "Details", instead of "Thumbnail". Where can I change this. My brain is fried and I can't seem to find these settings. Thanks.

Fishermun wrote:

> Windows XP, SP3, Laptop, all updates in place. Had to completely rebuild
> this laptop this week. All went well, except I now have a black box under
> all desktop icons. Originally they seemed to to transparent. Where can I
> change this? Also I would like to set all folders to show "Details",
> instead of "Thumbnail". Where can I change this. My brain is fried and I
> can't seem to find these settings. Thanks.

A. For the icon text transparency:

Open the System applet in Control Panel, choose the Advanced tab, and click
Settings in the Performance section. Turn on the "Use drop shadows for icon
labels on the desktop option", and click Ok.

Four things are required for transparent icon backgrounds:

1) System Properties>Advanced>Performance Settings>VisualEffects - check
"use drop shadows for icon labels".
2) Right-click on Desktop ->Arrange Icons by>Lock Web items must be cleared.
3) If you have any web content on your desktop, transparency won't work. To
check for web content: Display Properties>Desktop>Customize Desktop>Web -
make sure all checkboxes are clear.
4) Wallpaper must be an image file, not html.

B. Open an explorer window (My Computer, My Documents - it doesn't matter).
Set the view to exactly how you want it. Then from the Tools>Folder
Options>View tab>Advanced adjust further settings to your taste. You will
see an "Apply to all folders" button. Click it. Apply/OK out.

Malke
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MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
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