Disable Drop Shadows for Desktop Icon in Windows 8

Nemix

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Just wondering if anyone knows if Windows 8 can disable drop shadows for desktop icons and if so the method to disable desktop icon drop shadows in Windows 8.

In Windows 8.1 preview I cannot disable drop shadows for desktop icons via control panel and I'm unsure if it worked in Windows 8 retail since I didn't try when I had Windows 8 retail installed.

I might be a bug in Windows 8.1 preview and maybe also Windows 8 and needs to be reported to Microsoft if so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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Guess no one has an answer...it's cool I just wanted to make the desktop look more uniform with Windows 8's style since drop shadows has been removed from both the task bar and open windows all the while saving a bit of resources.

Can someone post me a link or way to contact Microsoft for bugs related to Windows.

Thanks in advance,
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2670QM
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    Samsung 8GB
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    Intel 525 120GB | HGST Travelstar 1TB
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    CM Storm Xornet | Microsoft Sculpt Comfort
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    25 Mbps | 600 Kbps
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    Seagate Backup Plus 1TB
Get Iconoid.

Iconoid - Download

It can disable drop shadows on icons.

Untitled.png

In the Hide icons tab, choose Never !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
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    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
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Many thanks, I was hoping the the option if Windows Control Panel or even a registry edit would do the trick but nothing has worked for me so far.

I'll look in the program to see if the software actually changed anything in the registry in Windows 8 since both methods of disabling the drop shadows on the desktop via control panel or manual registry edit works in Windows 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2670QM
    Memory
    Samsung 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GT 555M
    Hard Drives
    Intel 525 120GB | HGST Travelstar 1TB
    Mouse
    CM Storm Xornet | Microsoft Sculpt Comfort
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps | 600 Kbps
    Other Info
    Seagate Backup Plus 1TB
I've done the standard things, like that little registry update trick that worked for Win 7 and 8. What I have noted is this: I boot to the desktop with 8.1 and I note that the drop shadows are gone until I access the Start button and then they appear....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX2851-41
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 550
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
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    Firefox
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Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
I don't know then.
Sorry. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX2851-41
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 550
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender & Malwarebytes
Just wondering if anyone knows if Windows 8 can disable drop shadows for desktop icons and if so the method to disable desktop icon drop shadows in Windows 8.

In Windows 8.1 preview I cannot disable drop shadows for desktop icons via control panel and I'm unsure if it worked in Windows 8 retail since I didn't try when I had Windows 8 retail installed.

I might be a bug in Windows 8.1 preview and maybe also Windows 8 and needs to be reported to Microsoft if so.

I was just looking to find out how to enable them, and in doing so, found your solution.

In Control Panel/Performance Information and Tools/Adjust the Appearance and Performance of Windows/
You'll see the list of tweaks, including 'Use Drop Shadows for Icon Labels on the Desktop right at the bottom. Select/Unselect as needed :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Just wondering if anyone knows if Windows 8 can disable drop shadows for desktop icons and if so the method to disable desktop icon drop shadows in Windows 8.

In Windows 8.1 preview I cannot disable drop shadows for desktop icons via control panel and I'm unsure if it worked in Windows 8 retail since I didn't try when I had Windows 8 retail installed.

I might be a bug in Windows 8.1 preview and maybe also Windows 8 and needs to be reported to Microsoft if so.

I was just looking to find out how to enable them, and in doing so, found your solution.

In Control Panel/Performance Information and Tools/Adjust the Appearance and Performance of Windows/
You'll see the list of tweaks, including 'Use Drop Shadows for Icon Labels on the Desktop right at the bottom. Select/Unselect as needed :)

If you read the posts above you will note that many of us have tried that and it fails every time. As soon as you go to the start screen and return to the desktop the shadows are back, regardless of the setting.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX2851-41
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 550
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender & Malwarebytes
And now the official 8.1 is installed and the problem is still here...... Grrrr.....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX2851-41
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 550
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender & Malwarebytes
These solutions don't work for everyone, but I think I've found the solution. In 8.1 the desktop background colour is locked to the start screen colour by default. So, having disabled drop shadows and selected a light background colour, go to the start screen and change the background colour of the start screen. That seems to separate them - desktop and start screen - and allow drop shadows to disappear. Log off and on again and it's back to nice black text instead of that fugly white text with drop shadows!

Edit 21 October 2014:
Every now and again the drop shadows reappear. The easiest way to get rid of them is to restart Explorer. It's possible to add that option to the right click menu on the desktop, but I can't remember where I got the menu option. Sorry. But it's very annoying and really shouldn't be happening at all. Does anyone have any new ideas?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 with Media Center
Dbartenstein, better try the instructions from Totnes.

For example I have the desktop wallpaper assigned to the start screen and what I get:
-If you disable the shadows from the settings it isn't applied...
-On the other hand if you use high contrast themes there is no shadow at all, even when it's enabled.
-By disabling the "smooth edges of screen fonts" will weaken the shadows but it looks pretty jagged.

Putting another color on the start screen will allow to disable the drop shadows (even if they get re-enabled!).

Here in attachment is a sample of a light theme that has just black text on the desktop without the shadows (if you applied the mentioned fix).
Simple solid colors might work directly unlike with some picture wallpapers that can re-enable the shadows on the desktop.
 

Attachments

  • win7-standard.zip
    1.4 KB · Views: 282

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
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    HP Envy DV6 7250
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    Intel i7-3630QM
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    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
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    That's basically it.
It took about 5 tries, but it finally worked.... Geez Louise what a kluge!

Thanks all!!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway SX2851-41
    CPU
    Intel Core i3 550
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender & Malwarebytes
Every now and again the drop shadows reappear. The easiest way to get rid of them is to restart Explorer. It's possible to add that option to the right click menu on the desktop, but I can't remember where I got the menu option. Sorry. But it's very annoying and really shouldn't be happening at all. Does anyone have any new ideas?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 with Media Center
1. Right-click on Taskbar.


2. select Properties option.


3. Go to "Navigation" tab

4. DISABLE "Show my desktop background on Start"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows
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