#1: Remove Boxes Below Icon Labels on the Desktop
If your Desktop icons in Windows XP appear with boxes below the labels instead of using drop shadows, try this tweak.

#2: Quickly Change Display Resolution via Taskbar or Batch File via MultiRes
The MultiRes utility lets you change the screen resolution via an icon in the System Tray or a batch file. Multiple monitors are supported.

#3: Manually Clean Up Desktop Shortcut Icons
If your Windows XP desktop is too cluttered, manually clean up unused shortcut icons with this wizard.

#4: Stop Running Desktop Cleanup Wizard
Prevent Windows XP from asking to clean up messy Desktops.

#5: Toggle Aligning Desktop Icons to a Grid
Toggle whether or not you want finer control over desktop icon alignment in Windows XP.

#6: Toggle Windows Automatically Arranging Desktop Icons
Do you want all of your Windows XP Desktop icons arranged in a group, or would you rather have more control?

#7: Save and Restore Desktop Icon Layout
Restore Desktop icon positions in case Windows XP forgets them.

#8: Create a "Run" Desktop Shortcut
Double-click an icon on your Windows XP Desktop to run software, bypassing the Start menu.

#9: Add or Remove Special Desktop Icons
Add or remove these Windows XP Desktop icons - My Documents, My Computer, My Network Places, and Internet Explorer.

#10: Fit More Icons or Increase Space for Filenames
Either increase the number of icons viewable on the Desktop, or increase the space available for Desktop icon filenames.

#11: Unable to Change Themes or Appearance Settings
If the Display Properties "Appearance" and "Themes" tabs are missing, try this tip.

#12: Optimize by Toggling Displaying Window Contents While Dragging
Either disable showing window contents while dragging for speed or enable this eye candy.

#13: Toggle Between Large and Small Desktop Icons
Change your Windows XP Desktop icon size.

#14: List All Available Video Card Modes
Quickly list all display modes, including resolution, color depth, and refresh rate, supported by your video card.

#15: Provide Quick Desktop Access to Control Panel and Admin Tools
Make it easier to configure Windows XP by providing easy access to frequently-used Control Panel and Administrative Tools icons.

#16: Toggle Menu Shadowing
Toggle whether Windows XP displays shadows underneath menus as they are selected.

#17: Toggle Showing Underlined Letters in Menus
Turn keyboard navigation letters inside menus in Windows XP applications on or off.

#18: Quickly Hide or Show Your Desktop Icons
This tip lets you hide or show all of your Desktop Icons on your Windows XP machine.

#19: Change Icon for My Computer, Recycle Bin, Others
Change the My Computer, My Documents, or Recycle Bin icon on your Windows XP system to your liking.

#20: Cannot Change the Desktop Wallpaper
If you cannot change your Windows XP desktop wallpaper because all options are disabled, view this tip.

#21: Restore Default Icon For My Computer, Recycle Bin, Others
Revert your My Computer, My Documents, or Recycle Bin icon on your Windows XP desktop back to the default.

#22: Change the Desktop Wallpaper
A simple step-by-step process for changing the background color or picture on your Windows XP desktop.

#23: Make the Fonts Larger or Smaller
Having trouble viewing words on your Windows XP computer? Make the default text larger.

See Also:

@ Windows XP Taskbar - Toolbar - Start Menu

Help customizing the Windows XP taskbar, Start Menu, and toolbars to increase your productivity. Modify the Quick Launch area for quicker access to frequently-used applications, remove the clock, access Windows XP's Control Panel, and more.

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