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.
1st 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
2nd 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
3rd Method
If enabling/disabling ''use drop shadows for icon labels'' option results NO effect.
Here are some methods. Try out any of the following:-
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.
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.
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.
