How to Turn On or Off "Translucent Selection Rectangle" in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
Information
The selection rectangle is what you see when you left click and hold, then drag the mouse pointer over items to select them when you release the left click.
This will show you how to turn the translucent selection rectangle on or off for only on your desktop using different options in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
Note
Windows Explorer is not affected by this setting. It will always have the translucent selection rectangle turned on in it.
EXAMPLE: Translucent Selection Rectangle Turned On and Off
OPTION ONE
Through Visual Effects Settings
1. Open the
Visual Effects settings window in Performance Options.
2. To "Show Translucent Selection Rectangle" A) Check the
Show translucent selection rectangle box, and click on
OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This is the default setting.
3. To Not "Show Translucent Selection Rectangle" A) Uncheck the Show translucent selection rectangle box, and click on OK. (see screenshot above)
OPTION TWO
Using a REG File Download
1. To "Show Translucent Selection Rectangle"
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.
Show_Translucent_Selection_Rectangle.reg
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Not "Show Translucent Selection Rectangle" A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.
Not_Show_Translucent_Selection_Rectangle.reg
3. Click on
Save, and save the
.reg file to the
Desktop.
4. Right click on the downloaded
.reg file and click on
Merge.
5. Click on
Run,
Yes (Windows 7) or
Continue (Vista),
Yes, and
OK when prompted.
6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
7. When done, you can delete the downloaded
.reg file if you like.
OPTION THREE
Manually Through Registry Editor
1. Open the Start Menu, then type
regedit in the search boxand press
Enter.
2. If prompted by
UAC, then click on
Yes (Windows 7) or
Continue (Vista).
3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. In the right pane, double click on
ListviewAlphaSelect. (see screenshot above)
5. To "Show Translucent Selection Rectangle" A) Type in 1, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This is the default setting.
6. To Not "Show Translucent Selection Rectangle" A) Type in 0, and click on OK. (see screenshot above)
7. Close regedit.
8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
That's it,
Shawn