Desktop settings

[John]

In the grand scheme of things, this isn't a big deal, but it's
annoying me:

By default, the labels under XP desktop icons use white lettering on a
transparent background (i.e., it looks like the letters are just
sitting on the wallpaper). Somehow, while trying to do something
else, my wife changed the setting so I now have either white or black
lettering on a colored background. I can see how to change the color
of the background using the Desktop tab of the desktop Properties.
But I can't figure out how to get it back to transparent.

Can somebody help me or point me to where I can find the trick?

Thanks.

Reply-to address is real
John

 

[Alan Edwards]

Four things are required for transparent icon backgrounds:

1.Control Panel-System-Advanced-Performance Settings.
Check "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" on the Visual
Effects tab.

2.Right-click on Desktop - "Arrange Icons by" and ensure Lock Web
items is cleared.

3.Transparency will not work if you have web content on your desktop,
Control Panel - Display Properties - Desktop tab - Customize Desktop -
Web tab. Clear all check boxes.

4. Ensure the Wallpaper is an image file not HTML.

....Alan

 

[John]

Four things are required for transparent icon backgrounds:

1.Control Panel-System-Advanced-Performance Settings.
Check "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" on the Visual
Effects tab.

2.Right-click on Desktop - "Arrange Icons by" and ensure Lock Web
items is cleared.

3.Transparency will not work if you have web content on your desktop,
Control Panel - Display Properties - Desktop tab - Customize Desktop -
Web tab. Clear all check boxes.

4. Ensure the Wallpaper is an image file not HTML.

...Alan

That did it, thank you! (It was the second step -- lock web items --
that was misconfigured.)

Thanks for the help, Alan, I'm sure I would never have figured that
one out myself.

Reply-to address is real
John