sidebar has gray background used to be clear

[monica]

I don't know how to change the sidebar background so that it is clear, not
gray. Does anyone know how to do this? thanks!

 

[Jon]

I don't know how to change the sidebar background so that it is clear, not
gray. Does anyone know how to do this? thanks!

Is 'Aero' enabled elsewhere? eg transparent titlebars etc.

Adjusting your theme or changing display options, such as transparency
elsewhere may help

Right-click desktop > Personalize > Theme

and / or

Right-click desktop > Personalize > Windows Color and appearance
(NB if you don't see a row of colours there, then it's a good sign that aero
isn't enabled)

 

[monica]

That was it! It had somehow got switched to Windows Standard. Thanks!