How to Make Transparent Desktop Icons in Windows XP

Having transparent icons, windows and menu bars not only make the interface look beautiful but it also enhances user experience. Windows 7 users have the flexibility of making beautiful transparent interfaces using various Windows 7 theme, but there is so such option available for Windows XP users. So, here we will try a manual method to make transparent icons in XP. Remember that this process is just to change the solid icon backgrounds to transparent ones so that they look attractive on your desktop.

We will make XP transparent icons in two easy steps. Follow the steps in the manner they have been mentioned.

Windows XP transparent icons

STEP – 1

• Navigate to Start >> ‘Control Panel >> System >> Select Advanced tab
• Under Performance, click on Settings >> Select Visual Effects tab
• Enable Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop option
• If it’s already enabled there, disable it first and then enable it again
• Save the changes and close the window.

STEP – 2

• Go to Start >> Run >> Type regedit >> registry editor window will open
• Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
• Double click on ForceActiveDesktopOn and change it’s value to 0 (zero)
• If you can’t find this key, create one by manually [Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)]
• Repeat the same process “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ Explorer” key also
• Save the changes and close the window.

That’s it. Now reboot your system and the transparent icons should appear on your Windows XP desktop.