Transparent Desktop Icons

posermobile89

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Hello All,

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a way to get semi-transparent desktop icons, like how the gadgets work. I dont want the shadow on the font, and whenever i google "transparent desktop icons" thats all that shows up. I cant find anything and i was wondering if anyone has had better luck and/or knows of a solution. Maybe im just one of a kind here.

Anyway, Thanks in advanced

Posermobile89
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Inspiron 518
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Windows 7 Ultimate
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Intel Core 2 Duo E7200, 2.53 Ghz
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Dell Inspiron 518, Chipset: Intel Bearlak G33
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24" Acer p241W with HDMI, DVI, and VGA
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The only thing that I could suggest is.
If your desktop icons are always the same, like recycle bin and three or four programs etc. I'd make some semi-transparent icons for each of them.
OR.
Go to and open your desktop folder, select all, r-click one of them to bring up the context menu, click properties, select hidden, apply, OK. In your Windows Explorer, click Tools on the menu bar, select folder options, then view tab, check show hidden files, folders and drives. That just leaves your recycle bin to deal with. For that you will have to change the icons.
 

My Computer

OS
Win7 HP 64bit

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Assembled
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Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-4130 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. B85M-D3H
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Corsair Vengence 4GB x2 (8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz)
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Dell Studio 15" Laptop
  1. Create your own icons or icon files form images and more by using a third party utility. IrFanview is an excellent example.
  2. 2
    Download the program "Irfanview".
  3. 3
    Place the program in the Icon folder your created above. Create a new folder named Icons if you do not already have one.
  4. 4
    Open any icon or image file, including an image you may have created yourself in a paint program.
  5. 5
    Insure the image is square.
    1. Square the image by choosing Image->Resize.
    2. Select Resample.
    3. Select a size, either 16 or 32 pixels.
    4. Click OK.
  6. 6
    Insure the correct color depth
    1. Open the image again
    2. Click Decrease Color Depth
    3. Select the number of colors.
    4. Click OK.
  7. 7
    Save image where you want, but select ICO (Windows Icon) file type.
  8. 8
    If you select Save Transparent Color, you can select the invisible image color, so its background look transparent and look the same as your desktop.
This information was quoted from: How to Change or Create Desktop Icons for Windows - wikiHow
 

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Dell and Custom
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Systems 1 and 2: Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Win 8 Developer
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Haha, wow, talk about doing it the hard way!

Just install IcoFX, open your whatever sized picture, and draw transparency around where you want it
 

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Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer 5720z laptop
OS
win7 home premium 64bit
I have an application in the Software > Projects section that'll make your icons transparent in maybe 3 clicks or so, but be warned that it also affects the desktop wallpaper... if it changes, it'll overlap the current wallpaper and could cause some lag. But it's a quick way of getting it done.
 

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Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom built
OS
Windows 8 Pro 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 950 @4.4GHz
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EVGA 131-GT-E767
Memory
12GB DDR3 1333MHz @1400 (9-9-9-24)
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2x AMD Radeon HD 6770
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Sound Blaster Audigy
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Acer S231HL + Acer E19T5W
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1920x1080 + 1440x900
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128GB Samsung 840 Pro
1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 64mb
500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 16mb
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Corsair GS800
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Custom-made
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CM Hyper212+, lots of fans
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NMB RT8255C+
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Func MS-3
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30/1.5
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Microsoft Security Essentials/Spybot SD/Malwarebytes
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Onkyo TX-27 receiver & two Realistic Optimus T100s.
I have an application in the Software > Projects section that'll make your icons transparent in maybe 3 clicks or so, but be warned that it also affects the desktop wallpaper... if it changes, it'll overlap the current wallpaper and could cause some lag. But it's a quick way of getting it done.

I tried your application, but it doesnt seem to effect the icons. It works on the others ive tried, but no matter what i do, the icons stay the same. (Though this looks promising, and just what ive been looking for)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Inspiron 518
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200, 2.53 Ghz
Motherboard
Dell Inspiron 518, Chipset: Intel Bearlak G33
Memory
2 GB DDR2 800 Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
ATi Radeon 2400 Pro PCIE 128 MB
Sound Card
Onboard 5.1 Surround Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
24" Acer p241W with HDMI, DVI, and VGA
Screen Resolution
1920*1200
Hard Drives
Seagate SATA 250 GB 7200 RPM
Cooling
Standard Air Cooling
Internet Speed
10 Mb DL
Huh, I thought it worked for me before. Oh well.
Go ahead and use it as you like. :p
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom built
OS
Windows 8 Pro 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 950 @4.4GHz
Motherboard
EVGA 131-GT-E767
Memory
12GB DDR3 1333MHz @1400 (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
2x AMD Radeon HD 6770
Sound Card
Sound Blaster Audigy
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer S231HL + Acer E19T5W
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 + 1440x900
Hard Drives
128GB Samsung 840 Pro
1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 64mb
500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 16mb
PSU
Corsair GS800
Case
Custom-made
Cooling
CM Hyper212+, lots of fans
Keyboard
NMB RT8255C+
Mouse
Func MS-3
Internet Speed
30/1.5
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials/Spybot SD/Malwarebytes
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Onkyo TX-27 receiver & two Realistic Optimus T100s.
Huh, I thought it worked for me before. Oh well.
Go ahead and use it as you like. :p

All I should have to do is run it, select "Affect Desktop and Icons?" and click Okay, correct?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Inspiron 518
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200, 2.53 Ghz
Motherboard
Dell Inspiron 518, Chipset: Intel Bearlak G33
Memory
2 GB DDR2 800 Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
ATi Radeon 2400 Pro PCIE 128 MB
Sound Card
Onboard 5.1 Surround Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
24" Acer p241W with HDMI, DVI, and VGA
Screen Resolution
1920*1200
Hard Drives
Seagate SATA 250 GB 7200 RPM
Cooling
Standard Air Cooling
Internet Speed
10 Mb DL
Yup, that's all there is to it.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom built
OS
Windows 8 Pro 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 950 @4.4GHz
Motherboard
EVGA 131-GT-E767
Memory
12GB DDR3 1333MHz @1400 (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
2x AMD Radeon HD 6770
Sound Card
Sound Blaster Audigy
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer S231HL + Acer E19T5W
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 + 1440x900
Hard Drives
128GB Samsung 840 Pro
1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 64mb
500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 16mb
PSU
Corsair GS800
Case
Custom-made
Cooling
CM Hyper212+, lots of fans
Keyboard
NMB RT8255C+
Mouse
Func MS-3
Internet Speed
30/1.5
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials/Spybot SD/Malwarebytes
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Onkyo TX-27 receiver & two Realistic Optimus T100s.
Convert Png to Ico

Here's a free (for most) way to turn your Png to Ico with a transparent background.
  • Create or edit an image with a transparent background. You can use PowerPoint for this. Add shadows if you like.
  • Save to PNG.
  • Use a service like ConvertICO.com (ConvertICO) to turn your Png to Ico.
  • Rename filename.ico to filename.png
  • Open that renamed PNG file with Powerpoint again and turn background transparent again.
  • Resubmit it to ConverIco website.
  • The result should be a transparent icon file ready to use.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell, Apple
OS
Win 7, Win XP, OS X
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