Vista - Desktop Icon font color change

I need to know how to change the font color from white to black. I clicked on personlize then went to windows color and apperance then Icon but the color change was grayed out. Anyone that knows a work around I really need it. Right now the font color is white but the background I want to use is light which makes the fonts type hard to read when it is white. Changing to black would make all the difference in the world.

Ron Spruell Sr.

Hi Ron,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

I do not think you can unless you switch to the Windows Classic color scheme.

This might work as an alternative for you though. In the Visual Effects Performance Options, check Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop. This should help make them easier to see.

Visual Effects Options

Shawn

Ron,

I found this free little program D-Color XP 1.2 that will you change the desktop icon text or background to whatever color you want them all to be. It was made for XP, but I tested it and it works fine on Vista 32 bit and 64 bit. After you install it and run it, you will see a tray icon. Click on it to change the colors.

Dindo Liboon's Website

Shawn

Thanks Shawn, if nothing else turns up I will give it a try. I just had so much trouble getting upgraded from primium vista to ultimate I really would hate to mess things up.<BG>

Ron Spruell Sr.

LOL, I can understand that. So far I had no problems with it if it helps.

Shawn

Shawn,

I just wanted to thank you for your advice on the desktop font color change for Vista. I used the program and now can actually see the names of all my icons. My desktop changes daily (I know a resource eater, but I like having a new image greeting me everyday), and many have white or very light backgrounds. Now if a background comes up that matches the color I chose its a simple click and its changed. Thanks Again.

Bob

You're welcome Bob, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I'm glad to hear that program helped you.

Shawn

Iconoid does also the job
Iconoid - Hide and show desktop icons, maketransparent backgrounds

There is actually a trick whereby you can do this. The thing is to change the "colour" of your desktop background (the colour it would show if you're not showing a picture on it)

The easiest way I know to do this is by using firefox (not tried it with other browsers). Basically, open up the image you want to use in firefox (I find all of my desktop backgrounds on the internet anyway), then right click on it and select "Set as desktop background". On the dialog that then shows, choose between Stretch/Tile/Centre and then on the top right there's a selector marked "Colour"
Set this to the colour that MOST RESEMBLES your background, not that which you'd like your text to come up with. So, if you have a dark background, set it to black, if you have a light background then set it to white.
Vista will then change the colour of your icon text accordingly. If you set "Colour" to white, then the text will appear black, and vice versa.

I just tried setting "Colour" to red and the text has stayed white, so maybe this trick will only work for changing the colour from black to white and vice versa. But at least now you can choose a little

Go to Control Panel > Personalization > Desktop Background and click "Change background color" which is at the buttom of that screen.. There you should pick white if you want black text and black for white text.. Sorry if anyone mentioned this before me lol im to lazy to read thru the topic..

Have fun..