Hello Anne, Iconoid is a neat little program I've used in the past. Iconoid is a desktop icon management tool with which you can change icon text and background colors, make text backgrounds transparent, hide icons when you don't need them and see them when you do (based on mouse pointer location), and other options. Check it out here: http://www.sillysot.com/ It's FREE too. General performance tips would apply here. Things like don't overload it with programs you don't use/need and don't have any running in the background you're not using. Memory is cheap and probably the single best thing you can do for performance, so install as much as the motherboard will handle (check your manual). Personally, I would avoid the many "tune-up" type programs that are supposed to increase performance. In general, common sense and a good 'housekeeping' plan applies. I'm sure others will have suggestions for you also. Sven Swanson, Sr. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anne Meinema" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, February 29, 2004 9:30 AM Subject: [PCSOFT] Windows 2000 Tips Hi, All.. Question 1: When i put on the destop a background picture there are blue blocks aroudn the text of the icons on the desktop, how can i make that transparent or shades like. Question 2: Any good tips or trics to optimize, make faster of windows 2000 are welcome.. Just installed it so i need some ideas.. Greetings, Anne PCSOFT maintains many useful files for download visit our download web page at: http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml