Changing Desktop Icon Type

Vista Business using aero.

How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a different
type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now

Go Control Panel /Personalize and chose options

--
Ian

"John" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Vista Business using aero.
>
> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a different
> type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>
>

There is no "Options" choice. The closest is Personalize
Settings-->Advanced. However changing the Icon type font does not change the
shadow effect. I Did notice it changes the font in winmail... curious.

I have a feeling with AERO on, there is little I can do to remove the shadow
type font... I hope I'm wrong because it's such a pitty not to be able to
change something so basic to one's enjoyment of a product, IMHO.


"Ian Betts" <> wrote in message
news:C31D76C5-7D37-4A05-B70F-...
> Go Control Panel /Personalize and chose options
>
> --
> Ian
>
> "John" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Vista Business using aero.
>>
>> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a
>> different type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>>
>>

One note. The "icon" font can not be given a font color like the other font
settings... curious.


"John" <> wrote in message
news:%23Q9WN%...
> There is no "Options" choice. The closest is Personalize
> Settings-->Advanced. However changing the Icon type font does not change
> the shadow effect. I Did notice it changes the font in winmail... curious.
>
> I have a feeling with AERO on, there is little I can do to remove the
> shadow type font... I hope I'm wrong because it's such a pitty not to be
> able to change something so basic to one's enjoyment of a product, IMHO.
>
>
> "Ian Betts" <> wrote in message
> news:C31D76C5-7D37-4A05-B70F-...
>> Go Control Panel /Personalize and chose options
>>
>> --
>> Ian
>>
>> "John" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Vista Business using aero.
>>>
>>> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a
>>> different type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>>>
>>>
>
>

John you need to explore Vista a little with real courage :-)) . In
Personalize click Win Color and Appearance. Click the underlined Open
Classic appearance .............and then Effects. Also look at Advanced.
Change things, if you don't like then go back and have another go.

--
Ian

"John" <> wrote in message
news:...
> One note. The "icon" font can not be given a font color like the other
> font settings... curious.
>
>
> "John" <> wrote in message
> news:%23Q9WN%...
>> There is no "Options" choice. The closest is Personalize
>> Settings-->Advanced. However changing the Icon type font does not change
>> the shadow effect. I Did notice it changes the font in winmail...
>> curious.
>>
>> I have a feeling with AERO on, there is little I can do to remove the
>> shadow type font... I hope I'm wrong because it's such a pitty not to be
>> able to change something so basic to one's enjoyment of a product, IMHO.
>>
>>
>> "Ian Betts" <> wrote in message
>> news:C31D76C5-7D37-4A05-B70F-...
>>> Go Control Panel /Personalize and chose options
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ian
>>>
>>> "John" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Vista Business using aero.
>>>>
>>>> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a
>>>> different type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

John

Open Control Panel, in the Search Box, type effects and click on "Adjust
the appearance and performance of windows."

Scroll down to the bottom of that dialog box and remove the check mark from
the "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" option. This will
remove the shadows.

The font size is more difficult. Any change you make to the icons font size
is global and effects just about all areas of Vista including the font size
on the start menu, windows explorer, etc.

The best solution is to set the system DPI to a size that you can live with.
Open Control Panel and type DPI in the search bar. Click the "Adjust font
size (DPI)" link. Click the Custom Button.

In that dialog box, you can drag the ruler to select a size that you want to
use. Experiment until you find a good setting for your taste.





--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"John" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Vista Business using aero.
>
> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a different
> type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>

Thank you, Ronnie. You have directed me perfectly to the solution of my
problem. However there's still one huge problem. Without the shadow and
given my lightly colored background and since one can't add a color to the
type font, I can't see anything!!! Thank you, Vista designers. I am sorry
but not only is the procedure to change the shadowed text convoluted and
inaccessible (for all intents and purposes), the end result is
unsatisfactory due to limiting user control over the type font color.

I am trying to like Vista but even the simplest of tasks a dumb user like me
wants to do seems like climbing Everest. I should ask for a refund of my
tuition dollars from Stanford despite the existence of the Gates Building.


But thank you, Ronnie. Vista's shortcomings are not due to your good
efforts.
"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
news:28648BA4-9B2E-468E-948C-...
> John
>
> Open Control Panel, in the Search Box, type effects and click on "Adjust
> the appearance and performance of windows."
>
> Scroll down to the bottom of that dialog box and remove the check mark
> from the "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" option. This
> will remove the shadows.
>
> The font size is more difficult. Any change you make to the icons font
> size is global and effects just about all areas of Vista including the
> font size on the start menu, windows explorer, etc.
>
> The best solution is to set the system DPI to a size that you can live
> with. Open Control Panel and type DPI in the search bar. Click the "Adjust
> font size (DPI)" link. Click the Custom Button.
>
> In that dialog box, you can drag the ruler to select a size that you want
> to use. Experiment until you find a good setting for your taste.
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "John" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Vista Business using aero.
>>
>> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a
>> different type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>>
>

John

The desktop icons are different simply because they are usually displayed in
front of a picture or solid background color, that some users change often.
Because of this, the text on these icons is programmed to be either white
(for dark backgrounds) or black (for light backgrounds). But there is a fine
line between deciding when the text should change from white to black. This
usually works OK, but some backgrounds that have a great variety of colors
can be difficult. This is what the drop shadows option was designed to help
overcome, especially when the icon text is white.

The ability to color the fonts simply would not work, because you would end
up with some text visible and some text not visible, depending on the colors
of the background.

You can see this effect and the extent of the problem by going to
Personalize/Desktop Backgrounds and selecting Soild Colors. With the desktop
visible, select the light/dark colors and then the different shades of the
colors.


--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"John" <> wrote in message
news:%23Ma7%...
> Thank you, Ronnie. You have directed me perfectly to the solution of my
> problem. However there's still one huge problem. Without the shadow and
> given my lightly colored background and since one can't add a color to the
> type font, I can't see anything!!! Thank you, Vista designers. I am sorry
> but not only is the procedure to change the shadowed text convoluted and
> inaccessible (for all intents and purposes), the end result is
> unsatisfactory due to limiting user control over the type font color.
>
> I am trying to like Vista but even the simplest of tasks a dumb user like
> me wants to do seems like climbing Everest. I should ask for a refund of
> my tuition dollars from Stanford despite the existence of the Gates
> Building.
>
>
> But thank you, Ronnie. Vista's shortcomings are not due to your good
> efforts.
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
> news:28648BA4-9B2E-468E-948C-...
>> John
>>
>> Open Control Panel, in the Search Box, type effects and click on
>> "Adjust the appearance and performance of windows."
>>
>> Scroll down to the bottom of that dialog box and remove the check mark
>> from the "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" option. This
>> will remove the shadows.
>>
>> The font size is more difficult. Any change you make to the icons font
>> size is global and effects just about all areas of Vista including the
>> font size on the start menu, windows explorer, etc.
>>
>> The best solution is to set the system DPI to a size that you can live
>> with. Open Control Panel and type DPI in the search bar. Click the
>> "Adjust font size (DPI)" link. Click the Custom Button.
>>
>> In that dialog box, you can drag the ruler to select a size that you want
>> to use. Experiment until you find a good setting for your taste.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "John" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> Vista Business using aero.
>>>
>>> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a
>>> different type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>>>
>>
>
>

Thanks again for your thoughtful reply. My only comment is let me have the
option as to white or black color for the type. I have happily enjoyed all
previous versions of Windows using many different backgrounds and type fonts
as needed. I don't understand this digression from what has worked in the
past regarding the desktop. The desktop is probably the place people look at
the most and to not have the ability to completely control its apearance
seems very short-sighted, IMHO.


"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
news:41FE58C7-7994-4EEC-923A-...
> John
>
> The desktop icons are different simply because they are usually displayed
> in front of a picture or solid background color, that some users change
> often. Because of this, the text on these icons is programmed to be either
> white (for dark backgrounds) or black (for light backgrounds). But there
> is a fine line between deciding when the text should change from white to
> black. This usually works OK, but some backgrounds that have a great
> variety of colors can be difficult. This is what the drop shadows option
> was designed to help overcome, especially when the icon text is white.
>
> The ability to color the fonts simply would not work, because you would
> end up with some text visible and some text not visible, depending on the
> colors of the background.
>
> You can see this effect and the extent of the problem by going to
> Personalize/Desktop Backgrounds and selecting Soild Colors. With the
> desktop visible, select the light/dark colors and then the different
> shades of the colors.
>
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "John" <> wrote in message
> news:%23Ma7%...
>> Thank you, Ronnie. You have directed me perfectly to the solution of my
>> problem. However there's still one huge problem. Without the shadow and
>> given my lightly colored background and since one can't add a color to
>> the type font, I can't see anything!!! Thank you, Vista designers. I am
>> sorry but not only is the procedure to change the shadowed text
>> convoluted and inaccessible (for all intents and purposes), the end
>> result is unsatisfactory due to limiting user control over the type font
>> color.
>>
>> I am trying to like Vista but even the simplest of tasks a dumb user like
>> me wants to do seems like climbing Everest. I should ask for a refund of
>> my tuition dollars from Stanford despite the existence of the Gates
>> Building.
>>
>>
>> But thank you, Ronnie. Vista's shortcomings are not due to your good
>> efforts.
>> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
>> news:28648BA4-9B2E-468E-948C-...
>>> John
>>>
>>> Open Control Panel, in the Search Box, type effects and click on
>>> "Adjust the appearance and performance of windows."
>>>
>>> Scroll down to the bottom of that dialog box and remove the check mark
>>> from the "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" option. This
>>> will remove the shadows.
>>>
>>> The font size is more difficult. Any change you make to the icons font
>>> size is global and effects just about all areas of Vista including the
>>> font size on the start menu, windows explorer, etc.
>>>
>>> The best solution is to set the system DPI to a size that you can live
>>> with. Open Control Panel and type DPI in the search bar. Click the
>>> "Adjust font size (DPI)" link. Click the Custom Button.
>>>
>>> In that dialog box, you can drag the ruler to select a size that you
>>> want to use. Experiment until you find a good setting for your taste.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Ronnie Vernon
>>> Microsoft MVP
>>> Windows Shell/User
>>>
>>>
>>> "John" <> wrote in message
>>> news:...
>>>> Vista Business using aero.
>>>>
>>>> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a
>>>> different type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

My mistake... XP also has the shadow fonts. I was thinking of Win2000 which
I still use. Time to move on, I guess.


"John" <> wrote in message
news:eSo$Yp$...
> Thanks again for your thoughtful reply. My only comment is let me have the
> option as to white or black color for the type. I have happily enjoyed all
> previous versions of Windows using many different backgrounds and type
> fonts as needed. I don't understand this digression from what has worked
> in the past regarding the desktop. The desktop is probably the place
> people look at the most and to not have the ability to completely control
> its apearance seems very short-sighted, IMHO.
>
>
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
> news:41FE58C7-7994-4EEC-923A-...
>> John
>>
>> The desktop icons are different simply because they are usually displayed
>> in front of a picture or solid background color, that some users change
>> often. Because of this, the text on these icons is programmed to be
>> either white (for dark backgrounds) or black (for light backgrounds). But
>> there is a fine line between deciding when the text should change from
>> white to black. This usually works OK, but some backgrounds that have a
>> great variety of colors can be difficult. This is what the drop shadows
>> option was designed to help overcome, especially when the icon text is
>> white.
>>
>> The ability to color the fonts simply would not work, because you would
>> end up with some text visible and some text not visible, depending on the
>> colors of the background.
>>
>> You can see this effect and the extent of the problem by going to
>> Personalize/Desktop Backgrounds and selecting Soild Colors. With the
>> desktop visible, select the light/dark colors and then the different
>> shades of the colors.
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "John" <> wrote in message
>> news:%23Ma7%...
>>> Thank you, Ronnie. You have directed me perfectly to the solution of my
>>> problem. However there's still one huge problem. Without the shadow and
>>> given my lightly colored background and since one can't add a color to
>>> the type font, I can't see anything!!! Thank you, Vista designers. I am
>>> sorry but not only is the procedure to change the shadowed text
>>> convoluted and inaccessible (for all intents and purposes), the end
>>> result is unsatisfactory due to limiting user control over the type font
>>> color.
>>>
>>> I am trying to like Vista but even the simplest of tasks a dumb user
>>> like me wants to do seems like climbing Everest. I should ask for a
>>> refund of my tuition dollars from Stanford despite the existence of the
>>> Gates Building.
>>>
>>>
>>> But thank you, Ronnie. Vista's shortcomings are not due to your good
>>> efforts.
>>> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <> wrote in message
>>> news:28648BA4-9B2E-468E-948C-...
>>>> John
>>>>
>>>> Open Control Panel, in the Search Box, type effects and click on
>>>> "Adjust the appearance and performance of windows."
>>>>
>>>> Scroll down to the bottom of that dialog box and remove the check mark
>>>> from the "Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop" option. This
>>>> will remove the shadows.
>>>>
>>>> The font size is more difficult. Any change you make to the icons font
>>>> size is global and effects just about all areas of Vista including the
>>>> font size on the start menu, windows explorer, etc.
>>>>
>>>> The best solution is to set the system DPI to a size that you can live
>>>> with. Open Control Panel and type DPI in the search bar. Click the
>>>> "Adjust font size (DPI)" link. Click the Custom Button.
>>>>
>>>> In that dialog box, you can drag the ruler to select a size that you
>>>> want to use. Experiment until you find a good setting for your taste.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> Ronnie Vernon
>>>> Microsoft MVP
>>>> Windows Shell/User
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "John" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:...
>>>>> Vista Business using aero.
>>>>>
>>>>> How can I change the type size/font under the desktop icons to a
>>>>> different type size/font AND without the shadow? It's hard to read now
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>