How to Turn Drop Shadows On or Off for Desktop Icons in Windows


   Information
This will show you how to turn Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop on or off using different options in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.


EXAMPLE: Desktop Icon Label Drop Shadows Turned On and Off
Desktop Icon Labels - Turn Drop Shadows On or Off-.jpgDesktop Icon Labels - Turn Drop Shadows On or Off-off.jpg



OPTION ONE

Through Visual Effects Settings

1. Open the Visual Effects settings in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.

2. To "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop"
A) Check the Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop box, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This is the default setting.
Desktop Icon Labels - Turn Drop Shadows On or Off-visual_effects.jpg
3. To Not "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop"
A) Uncheck the Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop box, and click on OK. (see screenshot above)



OPTION TWO

Using a REG File Download

1. To "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop"
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Use_Drop_Shadows_for_Icon_Labels_on_Desktop.reg
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Not "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop"
A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.
Not_Use_Drop_Shadows_for_Icon_Labels_on_Desktop.reg
3. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

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 in Registry Editor

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Desktop Icon Labels - Turn Drop Shadows On or Off-reg-1.jpg
4. In the right pane, double click on ListviewShadow. (see screenshot above)

5. To "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop"
A) Type in 1, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This is the default setting.
Desktop Icon Labels - Turn Drop Shadows On or Off-reg-2.jpg
B) Go to step 7.
6. To Not "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop"
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




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