Desktop icon words in XP

[twichell]

I cannot change the color of the font on the desktop...i.e., my computer.
Was able to do this in 98. Used 'appearance' in display but nothing happens. If I have a white background, for example, am unable to read the words. As a result, many of the pics I use for backgroud are't useable. Can you help me?

Laura Twichell

[pave_spectre]

In 'Appearance', click the 'Advanced' button. This should provide the same options for changing fonts colours etc.

[twichell]

Did that already. forgot to say so. makes no difference. which 'item'? nothing matters. Is XP the problem?

[pave_spectre]

It seems that XP may need a third-party application to be able to change the icon font colour manually due to the fact that it seems to handle the colour automatically based on the lightness/darkness of the selected background colour (not the wallpaper, which is a seperate entity). I have yet to locate one that I would consider reliable or worth the effort.

To use a light wallpaper image and still be able to read the font you would need to go to 'Control Panel' --> System --> Advanced, and in the Performance box select 'Settings' and under 'Visual Effects' scroll down and uncheck 'Use drop shadows for Icon labels on the desktop'.

Then in, Display Properties --> Appearance --> Advanced, select 'Desktop' as the 'item' and change the colour to white or a light colour similar to your chosen wallpaper. Windows should then change the icon font colour to black.

[twichell]

Thank you so much. Your directions were right on the money. Can't understand why XP felt it necessary to change things...for the worse, of course.

Laura

[mjc]

It is the MS way....if it works, change it until it doesn't.

[shanmuga]

In addition to what pave_spectre suggested, you may also need to right click the desktop and select Arrange Icons. Towards the bottom of
that list, uncheck "Lock web items on the desktop."

[twichell]

'lock web items' was already unchecked.

Laura