Icon wording set to match background on desktop

[Michael Horning]

In XP how do I set the icon background wording on my desktop to be
transparent so that I only see the words on top of my background and not the
badground color in the display properties panel?

 

[Keith Miller MVP]

Four things are required for transparent icon backgrounds:

1) 'System Properties' -> 'Advanced' tab -> Performance 'Settings' -> 'Visual Effects' tab:
"use drop shadows for icon labels..." must be checked

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 tab > Customize Desktop button > Web tab >
make sure all checkboxes are clear.

4) Wallpaper must be an image file, not html.