Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: Vivace on October 12, 2009, 02:02:44 PM

Title: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Vivace on October 12, 2009, 02:02:44 PM

How do i make the desktop icons transparent or clear so that my background shows up in them?

I do not mean to make the text labels background clear so going through Control Panel>System>Performance>Settings and clicking the Drop Shadow Box does not do what I want!

Much Appreciated to whoever replies

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: patio on October 12, 2009, 02:05:17 PM

What OS ? ?
System specs ? ?

AERO and Glass both need a bunch of resources...

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Kip on October 12, 2009, 02:10:53 PM

If you mean that you want to create your own icons and you want them to be transparent you can use a program like IcoFX (http://icofx.ro/) which supports transparency.

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Vivace on October 12, 2009, 02:25:16 PM

Im using Windows XP SP3
2GB Ram
160 HDD

I would like to avoid creating icons if possible,
refer me to program that makes desktop icons transparent if possible

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Kip on October 12, 2009, 02:32:03 PM

Do you want to make the whole icon transparent so that all you can see is the text?

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: BC_Programmer on October 12, 2009, 02:57:15 PM

Is your background image a PNG, by chance?

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Vivace on October 15, 2009, 07:16:22 PM

I want to make my icon transparent somewhat but not too transparent if you get what im saying

No my background isnt a PNG, I mainly use JPEGs

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: cous on October 16, 2009, 12:01:33 AM

1) Right click on your desktop go to "Arrange Icons By" and make sure "Lock Web Items on Desktop" is unchecked.

That should do it!

If not I will walk you through some other steps.

 :)

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Helpmeh on October 16, 2009, 04:34:24 AM

That won't make the icons clear, it will just remove the coloured aura-type thing from around the icons and the text.

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: cous on October 16, 2009, 06:01:04 AM

I see what you mean. Your not going to be able to do it unless you patch up your Uxtheme.dll file. Otherwise you can only use signed themes that are created by Microsoft. I have put a patch on my Uxtheme.dll file and I have a lot more options. Here is a website that might interest you.

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1088/how_to_patch_uxtheme_dll_file_xp_home_pro/

I hope that was helpful. :D

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Vivace on October 17, 2009, 10:07:25 AM

It was helpful, though Ive already patched my Uxtheme.dll file a couple months back

So, the best way to make my icons transparent is only through using msstyles and themes?

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Helpmeh on October 17, 2009, 10:28:12 AM

Can't you just change the icon? There's more than one invisible icon available. Just use the default set and find it there.

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: BC_Programmer on October 17, 2009, 10:31:31 AM

I think they mean translucent, not transparent.

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Helpmeh on October 17, 2009, 10:42:03 AM

Well transparent and translucent are 2 different things. BUT, they are easy to mix up.

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: BC_Programmer on October 17, 2009, 11:08:31 AM

Quote from: Helpmeh on October 17, 2009, 10:42:03 AM

Well transparent and translucent are 2 different things. BUT, they are easy to mix up.

Yes, but transparent is easy to get with icons....

translucent I don't think is even possible without editing of the icons.

Title: Re: Help! Making Desktop Icons Transparent/Clear
Post by: Helpmeh on October 17, 2009, 11:12:38 AM

Quote from: BC_Programmer on October 17, 2009, 11:08:31 AM

Yes, but transparent is easy to get with icons....

translucent I don't think is even possible without editing of the icons.

True. Not without editing the icons.