Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows  

    Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows

    Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows

    How to Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows
    Published by Category: Customization
    27 Mar 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows


    The translucent selection rectangle is the box you see when you left click and hold, and then drag the pointer over items to select them when you release the left click.

    If you like, you can turn off showing the translucent selection rectangle on your desktop.

    When the translucent selection rectangle is turned off for the desktop, you will only see an outline selection rectangle on the desktop instead.

    This will not affect showing the translucent selection rectangle in File Explorer.


    This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off showing the translucent selection rectangle on the desktop for your account in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.


    Contents

    • Option One: Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Visual Effects Performance Options
    • Option Two: Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop using a REG file



    EXAMPLE: "Show translucent selection rectangle" On and Off for desktop
    Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows-translucent_selection_rectangle.jpg Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows-nontranslucent_selection_rectangle.jpg






    OPTION ONE

    Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Visual Effects Performance Options


    1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe into Run, and click/tap on OK to directly open the Visual Effects tab in Performance Options.

    2 Check (on - default) or uncheck (off) Show translucent selection rectangle for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows-show_translucent_selection_rectangle.png






    OPTION TWO

    Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop using a REG file


    The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

    ListviewAlphaSelect DWORD

    0 = Off
    1 = On


    1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.


    2 To Turn On Show Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop

    This is the default setting.

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Turn_ON_Show_translucent_selection_rectangle.reg

    Download


    3 To Turn Off Show Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Turn_OFF_Show_translucent_selection_rectangle.reg

    Download


    4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

    5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

    6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

    7 Restart explorer.exe process, sign out and sign in to Windows, or restart the computer to apply.

    8 You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn


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  1. Windows 11 Tutorials



  2. rdwray
    Posts : 841
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2
       New #1

    Why did MS remove this from Control Panel > System?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. Brink
    Posts : 68,937
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #2

    rdwray said:
    Why did MS remove this from Control Panel > System?
    Hey mate,

    Yeah, it's all part of slowly moving things to Settings instead of Control Panel in Windows 10.

    Settings (Win+i) > System > About > "Advanced system settings" link
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  5. rdwray
    Posts : 841
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2
       New #3

    Brink said:
    Hey mate,

    Yeah, it's all part of slowly moving things to Settings instead of Control Panel in Windows 10.

    Settings (Win+i) > System > About > "Advanced system settings" link
    Problem is that nobody knows where they move stuff.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. Brink
    Posts : 68,937
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    rdwray said:
    Problem is that nobody knows where they move stuff.
    I'll use my alien psycho powers to find them.
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  7. Edwin
    Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       New #5

    I put them in my right click menu...

    Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows-000707.png

    Here's the code if you want it, unless @Brink already made one!



    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties]
"Icon"="%windir%\\system32\\systempropertiesperformance.exe"
"Position"="Bottom"
"SubCommands"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\001flyout]
@="Advanced System Properties"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\001flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\002flyout]
@="Performance-Visual Effects"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\002flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\003flyout]
@="Computer Name"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesComputerName.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\003flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesComputerName.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\004flyout]
@="Hardware"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesHardware.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\004flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesHardware.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\005flyout]
@="System Protection"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesProtection.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\005flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesProtection.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\006flyout]
@="Remote Assistance"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesRemote.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\006flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesRemote.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\007flyout]
@="Data Execution Prevention"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesDataExecutionPrevention.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\007flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesDataExecutionPrevention.exe\""
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. rdwray
    Posts : 841
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2
       New #6

    Brink said:
    I'll use my alien psycho powers to find them.


    - - - Updated - - -

    Edwin said:
    I put them in my right click menu...

    Turn On or Off Translucent Selection Rectangle on Desktop in Windows-000707.png

    Here's the code if you want it, unless @Brink already made one!



    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties]
"Icon"="%windir%\\system32\\systempropertiesperformance.exe"
"Position"="Bottom"
"SubCommands"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\001flyout]
@="Advanced System Properties"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\001flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\002flyout]
@="Performance-Visual Effects"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\002flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\003flyout]
@="Computer Name"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesComputerName.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\003flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesComputerName.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\004flyout]
@="Hardware"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesHardware.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\004flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesHardware.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\005flyout]
@="System Protection"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesProtection.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\005flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesProtection.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\006flyout]
@="Remote Assistance"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesRemote.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\006flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesRemote.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\007flyout]
@="Data Execution Prevention"
"Icon"="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesDataExecutionPrevention.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ System Properties\shell\007flyout\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\System32\\SystemPropertiesDataExecutionPrevention.exe\""
    Thanks. I use Classic Shell and it saves what ever program ran. Considering what is going on, I think I will build a folder and put these "issues" in it and add it to one of my gadgets. This really is a big issue.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

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