from http://www.real-knowledge.com/transico.htm How To Restore Desktop Icons Back To Their Transparent State The labels to the icons on your Desktop are set to transparent in Windows XP to give them a smoother look and make them blend in better with the background you are using. This is a visual effects feature know as drop shadow. If your Desktop icons are no longer transparent and have a colored background around their labels, then this technical brief will show you how restore their look back to transparent view. For Windows XP 1. Go into your Control Panel by first clicking on the Start Button. 2. Then click on the Control Panel icon located in the right column of the Start Menu. 3. If your Start Menu is set to the Classic View, then begin by clicking on the Start Button. 4. Then click on Settings, then click on the Control Panel icon to open up the Control Panel. 5. Now, Double click on the System icon to open up the System Properties window. 6. Now click on the Advanced tab located at the top of the screen. 7. Then click on the Settings button located within the Performance section. 8. This will open up the Performance Options window for you. 9. The Visual Effects tab is opened by default allowing you to scroll down the listing. 10. Scroll down and place a check mark next to Use drop shadows for icon labels on the Desktop. 11. Then click on the OK button to save the changes and then close all the remaining open windows.