I finally figured this one out! Right click on the Desktop (anywhere) and
click on "arrange icons by", then uncheck the line that says "lock web items
on desktop", which should currently be checked. This will immediately fix the
problem. Not sure why these Microsoft know-it-all's don't know the answer to
this one! Hope this helps you.

"Sharon F" wrote:

> On Thu, 3 Nov 2005 17:16:02 -0800, Scooby1 wrote:
>
> > Windows XP will let me change the font of my desktop icons but the icon color
> > option is grayed out. Why can't I change this? My font color is white and
> > if I have a light colored background I can't read what my icons are. Please
> > help!
>
> Normal behavior.
> For black font: change desktop background color (different than wallpaper)
> to a light color. For a white font, use a dark color. The Desktop's
> background color setting is in Display properties> Appearance> Advanced>
> Item:| Desktop.
>
> If using "drop shadows," the font is always white with a dark outline and a
> bit of shadow. You can disable drop shadows so that the above defaults will
> kick in for black or white fonts, however you'll lose the transparent icon
> labels (the "holes" in the wallpaper will return). This setting is in
> System properties> Advanced> Performance> Settings> Visual Effects.
>
> Possible workaround if using drop shadows on your desktop fonts and a light
> wallpaper: Open a copy of your favorite wallpaper file in a graphics
> editing program. Use editing tools to darken the edges where your icons are
> normally placed. Save the changed file. Use Display properties> Desktop>
> Browse to select the altered wallpaper file.
>
> --
> Sharon F
> MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User
>

On Thu, 29 Dec 2005 19:48:02 -0800, dnairn wrote:

> I finally figured this one out! Right click on the Desktop (anywhere) and
> click on "arrange icons by", then uncheck the line that says "lock web items
> on desktop", which should currently be checked. This will immediately fix the
> problem. Not sure why these Microsoft know-it-all's don't know the answer to
> this one! Hope this helps you.

Good try but... That will help to get rid of holes in the wallpaper and it
will unlock web items from the desktop but it won't allow one to change the
color of the fonts in each icon label.
--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

What use to be so easy in older versions of Windows has now become a pain in
the behind! Aint that just the way it goes? Thanks!

"Sharon F" wrote:

> On Thu, 29 Dec 2005 19:48:02 -0800, dnairn wrote:
>
> > I finally figured this one out! Right click on the Desktop (anywhere) and
> > click on "arrange icons by", then uncheck the line that says "lock web items
> > on desktop", which should currently be checked. This will immediately fix the
> > problem. Not sure why these Microsoft know-it-all's don't know the answer to
> > this one! Hope this helps you.
>
> Good try but... That will help to get rid of holes in the wallpaper and it
> will unlock web items from the desktop but it won't allow one to change the
> color of the fonts in each icon label.
> --
> Sharon F
> MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User
>

On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 07:50:01 -0800, Scooby1 wrote:

> What use to be so easy in older versions of Windows has now become a pain in
> the behind! Aint that just the way it goes? Thanks!

Yep, it is a pain. Third party software can be used to accomplish this but,
I agree, that it should be easier to do this in Windows without having to
use any extra software.
--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User