Change the icon font color on Win7 Desktop

[loninappleton]

This should be easy but I've found several instructions to the right page-- but the font box is greyed out.

The font size is ok but I want to make it look more like old XP which means light blue background with white
font lettering on the desktop. The default goes to black text for light background-- I already found that out.

Years ago I did this on another job but can't remember how to get around what Win7 _wants_ to do.

With this is mind is there any summary screen of what changes have been made?. As said, the usual
setup screen allows me to change b/g color but font is greyed out.

 

[Bongo]

I use a program called Iconoid Iconoid - Hide and show desktop icons, maketransparent backgrounds

Jerry

 

[loninappleton]

Sounds like a different kind of tool. I just want to change the font color to white from black.

 

[loninappleton]

The best I could manage on this so far without third party themes or programs was to select a darker shade, color of text turns to white. Then advance the brightness so it didn't look at dark but text is still legible. I may go in a make the text just a little bigger from Tahoma 32 to slightly larger.

Any other suggestions such as getting a theme, third party or otherwise to make the screen look uncomplicated like ol' XP
will be appreciated.

But this can be marked solved with the current fix.

 

[Weboh]

If you go to windows color (the same place to change the icon font) you should see an item in the drop-down menu called "Selected Items." There you can change the font color.

 

[Bongo]

If you go to windows color (the same place to change the icon font) you should see an item in the drop-down menu called "Selected Items." There you can change the font color.

That will not change the font color on desktop icons.

Jerry

 

[Weboh]

I just tried it, and it did.

Maybe it's only with the Classic Theme?

 

[loninappleton]

I am using the classic style, or as much of it as I can get back. The task bar still looks pretty 'new' and is making those fades and splashes when selecting something. Quite frankly all of this gives me a headache as is distracting. That goes for the hypnotic startup splash screen as well: throbbers and logos throbbing in and out of focus until the desktop loads.

I've got something usable now with the method I described above, but I'll look at that 'selected items' box.
I was able to get the the icon font a little larger as well: just enough for legibility.

 

[Weboh]

You can use 7+ Taskbar Tweaker to remove all the things Windows 7 added like that. It has tons of options.

 

[RoWin7]

This is an old thread, but I'm posting the answer for future users.

"selected text" is not = to desktop icons. It's text you highlight while reading or copying.

Open Control Panel> Personalization

I'm using Windows Classic
At the bottom select Window Color
If you choose white, the icon text will be black
If you choose black, the icon text will be white.
If you have a picture on the desktop, the Window Color won't affect the picture.

Don't know if it works for other themes

I rotate about 100 photos onto my desktop. Yes, there is a problem when part of the picture is light and part is dark, but I can move icons for best viewing.