The other day, after configuring Windows to show all icons on the desktop by right-clicking on the desktop, clicking View and then clicking Show desktop icons option, I noticed that Windows wasn’t using drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop.
As you know, with default settings, shadows appear under texts on the desktop. The shadows not only make texts on the desktop look beautiful but also make the texts easier to use. No matter what picture you are using as desktop background, enabling shadows for texts make them easier to read.
If for some reason, you want to enable or disable shadows for texts on the desktop, you can follow the instructions mentioned in one of the following two methods.
Note that both methods are applicable for Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.
Show or hide shadows for texts on desktop
Method 1
Step 1: Open System Properties dialog box. To do so, first open Run command by simultaneously pressing Windows and R keys, type Sysdm.cpl in the Run box, and then press Enter key.
Step 2: Once System Properties dialog is launched, switch to the Advanced tab, and then click Settings buttons that appears under Performance section (see picture). This action will open Performance Options dialog.
Step 3: Under Visual Effects tab, look for the option labelled Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop and check the same to enable shadows or uncheck the same option to disable shadows.
Step 4: Click Apply button to enable or disable shadows. If you can’t see the change, please restart your PC.
Method 2
Enabling or disabling shadows for texts using Registry
Step 1: Open Registry Editor. To open Registry Editor, open Run command with the help of Windows + R hotkey, type Regedit.exe in the box and then press Enter.
Step 2: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Step 3: On the right-side, look for the entry labelled ListViewShadow. Double-click on the same and change its value from 1 to 0 (zero) to disable shadows for texts. And enter 1 (one) as value data to enable the same.
Finally, click OK button. If you can’t see the change, please restart Windows Explorer or restart your PC. That’s it!
How to add Computer or My Computer icon to Windows 8/8.1’s desktop and how to remove Recycle Bin icon from desktop guides might also interest you.
anton says
thanks
Jen says
Thank you so much for the instructions, appreciate it.
The shadow of desktop icon labels has been bothering my for the longest time, got it straightened out finally. Thank you so much.
thor says
If slideshow is enabled both this methods wont work. :D
Robin says
Thanks for your tutorial. Step 2 worked for me.
Anas says
this didn’t work for me, what i did is change the theme to the default windows 7 Aero theme and it worked :)
John says
Messing with the registry is fine as long as you know what you’re doing… Don’t listen to “dont”
Howard says
No, does not work on Windows 10, as bad as ever!
Mike says
This does not work for some reason on my Surface Pro 3 Win8.1.
Restarted but still have the shadow.
dont says
DO NOT fuck with the registry !!!! you’ ll fuck up your computer!
Pasha says
Thank you
Registry tip works good