Removing blue rectangular background behind the desktop icons

This can have variety of causes, hence there are many methods to fix this:-

First, make sure that you do NOT have "Lock desktop items" enabled. To find this go to:

Right click on desktop → properties → Display properties → Desktop → Customize desktop → under 'web' tab → uncheck "Lock desktop items."

Also right-click on the task bar and make sure that "lock the taskbar" is NOT selected.

1^st Method

Right click on 'My computer' → Properties → Advanced Tab → under 'Performance' click 'Settings' → under 'Visual effects' Tab → click 'Custom' radio button → Turn on (if its OFF) the “use drop shadows for icon lables on desktop” → click 'ok' → save settings → restart system

2^nd Method

Right click on 'My computer' → Properties → Advanced Tab → under 'Performance' click 'Settings' → under 'Visual effects' Tab → click 'Custom' radio button → Turn off (if its ON) the “use drop shadows for icon lables on desktop” → click 'ok' → save settings → restart system

3^rd Method

If enabling/disabling ''use drop shadows for icon labels'' option results NO effect.

Here are some methods. Try out any of the following:-

1. Right click on desktop → properties → Display properties → Desktop → Customize desktop → under 'web' tab → uncheck ALL the checkboxes (if any) under "Web Pages" frame and also, uncheck "Lock Desktop Items"→ save and restart.

   Background color should now be clear.

2. Go to "C:\Documents and Settings\[your account folder]\Local Settings\" → and clear all entries the file "desktop.ini" → save and restart.

   Icon background should now be clear.

3. You should also check your Active Desktop settings. Go to the following registry key:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoActiveDesktop Set it to 1

   Restart and your desktop icon background should now be clear.