Transparent shortcut names on your desktop (Win2k)?

[SeedOfChaos]

I am wondering, and I think I have done this before:

making the names/descriptions of the icons on your desktop transparent in Win2k. If I am not mistaken, WinXP does that by default.

After a default install, the background of the text is the background color, which is kinda like a layer behind the wallpaper. If the icon is on the wallpaper, the icon itself is transparent (thus "white" sections of the icon are replaced by the wallpaper), but the description isn't and will be displayed with a box around it in whatever color the background is set to. It's annoying on colorfading backgrounds.... and I am almost positive than you can change this.

Anyone know how? Windows setting? Reg Tweak? Program to do it? I'd appreciate any ideas.

(Norm, I know you probably can't help me since you don't have a wallpaper :D)

Cheers,
Ronald

[Norm]

Here's a few ideas.

1. A standalone exe file.
http://home.attbi.com/~jguerette/transparent/

2. A resource hog, system tray app.
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/downloadoftheday/story/0,24330,3375238,00.html

3. An option in this wallpaper changer.
http://www.wallpaperchanger.de/index.html

[UnitedWeStand]

try trans2k.. the site is full of taskbar toys..etc. http://www.angells.com/fun/ieskins/trans2k/

[SeedOfChaos]

Thanks for the replies guys, I found this little app (http://home.attbi.com/~jguerette/transparent/) that Norm posted to do the trick most efficiently, because I wasn't looking for anything else. UWS, nice recommendation too though.

Norm, I stand corrected, gladly :D

Cheers,
Ronald

[CableDude]

Originally posted by Norm
Here's a few ideas.

A resource hog, system tray app.

Heh. :rotfl:

[UnitedWeStand]

Originally posted by CableDude
Heh. :rotfl:
yeah thats quite humourous.. norm make a funny..


You know that I've not used a wallpaper in about well 10 months.. just a black desktop no pic no bmp no jpg. no gif.. just a black desktop. I love it.. its easy on the eyes.. brings me back to dos 5.. black screen white letters..
Who needs a wallpaper anyways.. I would rather just have the browser cover it 24/7. :D

[UnitedWeStand]

Originally posted by Norm
Here's a few ideas.

1. A standalone exe file.
http://home.attbi.com/~jguerette/transparent/

hey Norm.. if you look at the site I posted you'll see the same app.. called ..transparent desktop icon text V4.2 (http://www.angells.com/fun/ieskins/transparent/)
I can't believe we actually think alike.. Didn't realize it but the site you posted has more details.

[Norm]

Glad you liked the standalone exe, that's what I would choose if I was trying to make my icons transparent. But with a black background and a black desktop, my icons 'appear' transparent anyway :D
Everytime the screen refreshes the background pic gets redrawn, and that means resources, and lag.

After being told quote "(Norm, I know you probably can't help me since you don't have a wallpaper)

I had no choice but to respond.
Good choice of bait there Seed. :D

[SeedOfChaos]

Thanks again Norm :D. Well, I have some resources to spare at this moment... when my pc gets old enough to make every bit count, I'll get it of it... ;)

[BMED]

I have used "TransText" for quite some time now, see what you think.

http://www.chaossoft.com/trtext.shtml

[SeedOfChaos]

Nice suggestion BMED, thanks :). This little proggy appears to be working a bit better for me than the proggy that Norm recommended, as it seemed to crash my Explorer.exe quite frequently. I also like the easy choice of text color. :)