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How To Make Desktop Icon Text Transparent in Windows XP

After receiving requests from our readers regarding “how to make the icon text label transparent in Windows XP.” Today we will be showing you how to enable desktop icon text transparent in Windows XP. 

In Windows XP, desktop icon text labels are transparent by default. However, you accidentally made some changes, and you don’t know how it became opaque. 

As you can see in the below image, the text with black background is opaque.

Make Desktop Icon Text Transparent

The below guide will show you how to make desktop icon text transparent on Windows XP. If you are using windows 95, 98, ME, or 2000, you can also make the desktop icon transparent, which is explained below.

Follow the below steps to make desktop icon text transparent

Step 1: Open System Properties. Press the Window key + Pause Break to open system properties Or Go to Start –> Control Panel –> System. 

If you are viewing the control panel in the Categories view, then do this, Start –> Control Panel –> Performance and maintenance –> System.

Step 2: In System Properties, Go to Advanced Tab, and click setting under Performance.

Step 3: Now, Under the Visual Effect tab, put a checkmark (Tick) on “Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop” (If this option is checked, it will add the transparency option for the icon text labels).

Many of our readers complained that their problems are still not solved. The check box for “Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop” is already checked, but still, the icon is opaque and not transparent.

So if your problem is still not solved, then make sure the below are enabled. 

It’s very simple and straightforward. Just check the below four conditions that are required to have the transparent icon.

1. Go to System Properties –> Advanced –> Performance Settings –> Visual Effects, and make sure that “use drop shadows for icon labels.” is checked.

2. Right-click on Desktop –> Arrange Icons by –> Lock Web items must be cleared and not checked.

3. If you have any web content on your desktop, transparency won’t work.

To check for web content: Go to Display Properties –> Desktop –> Customize Desktop –> Web and make sure all checkboxes are clear.

4. Wallpaper should be an image file, and it should not be an html file.

Check the above requirement you were missing and make the appropriate changes to make your desktop icon transparent in Windows XP.

For Windows 95, 98, ME or 2000

If you are using Window 2000, then you can use transparent utility. Download transparent utility and install.

For Window 95/98/ME, you can use Disappear utility. You’ll need VB40032.DLL (381 kb) Only if you don’t already have it in your \Windows\System folder.

I hope this might have solved your problem. If you have any doubts, queries, or feedback, please share them in the comment section below.

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About Roshan Karkera

Roshan Karkera a.k.a. k.roshan. Blogger by passion and software engineer by profession. He believes in sharing knowledge, which made him to start his own blog. He is very much keen & passionate about new technology & Science. If you'd like to connect with him, follow at Google plus or Twitter.

20 comments

  1. Hmm,,i'm using Win 7.. 😀

  2. i dragged image from browser and desktop icon got black background.I asked my friend how to fix this also searched net but i didn't found any solution but you solved my problem finally the black background is gone and its now transparent.
    there was web content on my desktop and fixed using second condition as you said…
    thanku

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  4. Thanks for the tip. This will certainly make life a bit easier.

  5. aaah great blog, great informationm. Thanks again this will help alot.

  6. wow this will work for me.i am going to use it.thanks for sharing such useful one.

  7. Funny trick. I will try it.

  8. wonderful tip.i will keep use of it.thanks. its helpful.

  9. Thank you for this great trick . I made it ! 😀

  10. Really wonderful,I appreciate it that you shared something new and useful with the readers of this blog.

  11. i will give it a try ,really great. thanks.keep sharing such useful ones.

  12. Thank you, good trick, it will help me!

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  14. great to read tips here i will give it a try.thanks.

  15. it worked for mee. thanks

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  19. Very interesting subject, appreciate it for putting up.

  20. Thank you!  Finally, someone who knows how to fix this.

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