Vista Icon Text Labels

[corkyg]

Looks like white with a shadow background is all that is allowed. Is there any third party program that can change icon label text color?

 

[GaryJohnson]

The background color (control panel -> personalization -> desktop background -> change background color) determines the icon label color. If you set it to a dark color you get white text. If you set it to a light color you get black text.

 

[corkyg]

Understand - however, that only works when not using a photo background. And, the only options are black and white. I want gold.

 

[Sam25]

So I googled a bit and there is a free software called ActivIcons which might be of help. (I haven't tried it though.)

 

[corkyg]

I checked Activeicons out, and it is not compatible with Vista. My research on the topic tells me that in Aero,Vista icon text label colors are hard coded into the program, and it looks like tough beans.

 

[Sam25]

Okay, I did a lot more google searching and came across a software which is mentioned here called 'D-Color XP 1.2' which might work out on Vista as well. Again I haven't tried it...what's your view?

 

[corkyg]

Yeah, Sam - I found that one last night. Downloaded it and installed it, and it placed itself in the notification area. But - it would not run. I suspect it would run if I turned Aero off and used a plain pipes classic desktop.

 

[Sam25]

I thought I had hit gold with that 'D-Color Xp' thingy, but alas!

I'll do some more searching today in the evening when I get back from work...there should be one possible way to alter the font color of the icons right?

 

[GaryJohnson]

Understand - however, that only works when not using a photo background. And, the only options are black and white. I want gold.

No, that definately works even if you have a photo background. I have a dark image on my desktop, but if I change the 'background color' to white, icon labels have dark text and are unreadable.

But yeah, if you want gold, you have to go third party. Try 12Ghosts? SetColor. It's shareware, $20, but I'm not sure what happens if or when the 'trial' runs out. Download Here

 

[corkyg]

Thanks, Gary. But, background color change is not an option if Aero is used. It is not even on the menu.

However, the 12Ghosts setcolor program works, and is going tio be fun to play with, even in Aero. The only shortcoming I can see is that the shadow effect is not available with colors. But - we're getting there.

Thanks for the link.