Remove the "Focus Rectangle" from Icons

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  1. Posts : 2,292
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #1

    Remove the "Focus Rectangle" from Icons


    The Focus Rectangle has always been a part of Windows, ever since Windows 3.1. But in Windows 7 it seems it acts a bit differently, or the way it appears and disappears randomly is simply a bug; I won't make any certain statements. But here's the deal:
    Whenever you change the desktop background or a theme in Windows 7, the Focus Rectangle becomes visible.

    Remove the "Focus Rectangle" from Icons-rectangle_focus.png

    Now, I have found a few solutions or registry hacks to completely remove this (but only for XP), and as some people may actually use it, it's not recommended to completely remove it. So the answer is actually quite simple:
    Restart the PC. On the next boot the Focus Rectangle will be gone and will not appear until you change the desktop background or the theme again.

    Remove the "Focus Rectangle" from Icons-no-rectangle.png

    Perhaps a simple Log Off can do the trick as well, I haven't tested, but I think it should work as well.

    Yet, if you really want to risk it and try to remove it, you can use the Universal Focus Rectangle Remover I found on the Neowin Forums. Use administrator priviledges when running whatever is in the ZIP file (I do not wish to test this).

    Installation:
    1. Unpack the downloaded archive
    2. Use x86 setup for 32bit systems; for 64bit systems, you need to use both files included in the archive.
    3. Log off or restart the PC.

    This fix works for both Windows 7 and Vista!

    EDITED to add new link, courtesy of Bongo :)
    Last edited by Gornot; 22 Aug 2013 at 08:59.
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  2. Posts : 152
    Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit)
       #2

    Just a quick note to say that logging off and back on works also.
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  3. Posts : 2,292
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Great. Thanks for that.
    I tested the UFRR from the link and it works. The ugly rectangle is gone, but of course, the feature itself is still there.
    Remove the "Focus Rectangle" from Icons-untitled.jpg
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  4. Posts : 58
    Windows 7 Ultimate 7600 RTM - Windows Server 2008 R2 7600 RTM Dual Boot
       #4

    What about x64?
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  5. Posts : 1
    Win7 Ultimate x86
       #5

    I signed up just to say thank you. That really helped me a lot, those dots drove me insane!
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  6. Posts : 2,292
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Oh my, well thank you. You should stick around, though, as there is much more help offered here.

    This little app supports x64 as well... I think.
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  7. Posts : 2,292
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    With the installation of IE9b, this fix does not seem to work anymore, unfortunately. I will try and find another solution for IE9 users, and post back any feedback.

    Edit: Let me restate that the focus rectangle won't work in IE, but reinstalling it should work for Windows itself.

    Edit2: Yes, it does :P
    Last edited by Gornot; 18 Sep 2010 at 18:15.
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  8. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #8

    The link is broken to the Universal Focus Rectangle Remover so I will post it here in a zip folder.
    Remove the "Focus Rectangle" from Icons Attached Files
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  9. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #9

    Bongo said:
    The link is broken to the Universal Focus Rectangle Remover so I will post it here in a zip folder.
    Bongo - I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to realize the broken link, and being kind enough to post an alternative download method for those like myself. I have searched exhaustively all over the net and have come up with either broken links, or straight up b.s. links redirecting me somewhere else. Please keep it posted for others, for future reference. Thanks again...ROCK!!! ~johnny~
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  10. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #10

    Universal Rectangle Remover...Why?


    I am curious as to why this has recently become such a common issue with people all over the world. For example, I have had Windows 7 and been running it fine without ever running into the "Rectangle Box" Problem. Seriously, it has only been within the last several months, a year tops, that it has been an issue for me at least. Obviously it has something to do with Windows itself, and one possibility I was thinking may be from a recent Win Update. This of course being said admitting that I am no IT Tech. and could be way off base. But, it seems at least a logical question. In addition, I was thinking it may have something to do with the Win Cleaning Programs. For example, I use Ccleaner...possibly whatever it is cleaning could be ****ing with the registry too. Finally, I haven't pinned the exact cause as of yet, but what I have mentioned above are the only things that I can think of considering the only changes I have made personally, or new software I have used (Ccleaner) as mentioned above. Any thoughts on this topic as far as possible cause? If so, please respond because it has been seriously irritating the **** out of me to find out the cause. thanks in advance...
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