The focus rectangle for desktop icons and listview items in Windows 10 has inexplicably doubled in thickness to 2 pixels. I would like to know how to revert it back to its original state, where the focus rectangle was a single pixel thick dotted rectangle.
The current appearance can be seen below.
The following image displays how it appeared previously, which is taken from the Windows 7 operating system:
Although the screenshots are taken from the desktop icons, the thick focus rectangle appears on any standard listview control. To clarify, I am not trying to eliminate the focus rectangle altogether, but rather reduce its thickness to its previous state.
2 Answers
Introduction
Windows 10 is a widely used operating system that comes with a lot of customization options. One of the features that users can customize is the focus rectangle, which appears on desktop icons and listview items. However, some users may experience a double focus rectangle, which is thicker than the original single-pixel focus rectangle. In this blog post, we will discuss how to remove the double focus rectangle and go back to the original single-pixel focus rectangle in Windows 10.
Method 1: Using System Properties
One way to remove the double focus rectangle is by using the System Properties window. Here are the steps:
1. Right-click on the This PC icon on the desktop and select Properties.
2. In the System window, click on Advanced system settings on the left-hand side.
3. In the System Properties window, click on the Settings button under the Performance section.
4. In the Performance Options window, uncheck the box next to “Show shadows under windows” and click Apply.
5. Check the box next to “Show shadows under windows” again and click Apply.
This should remove the double focus rectangle and restore the original single-pixel focus rectangle.
Method 2: Using Registry Editor
Another way to remove the double focus rectangle is by using the Registry Editor. Here are the steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” (without the quotes) and press Enter.
3. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop
4. Look for the “UserPreferencesMask” value on the right-hand side and double-click on it.
5. Change the value data to 90 12 03 80 and click OK.
6. Close the Registry Editor window and restart your computer.
This should remove the double focus rectangle and restore the original single-pixel focus rectangle.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Software
If you are not comfortable using the System Properties or Registry Editor, you can use third-party software to remove the double focus rectangle. One such software is Ultimate Windows Tweaker, which is a free tool that allows you to customize various settings in Windows 10. Here are the steps:
1. Download and install Ultimate Windows Tweaker from the official website.
2. Launch the software and go to the “Additional Tweaks” tab.
3. Look for the “Remove double underline” option and check the box next to it.
4. Click on Apply and restart your computer.
This should remove the double focus rectangle and restore the original single-pixel focus rectangle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the double focus rectangle in Windows 10 can be annoying for some users. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove it and go back to the original single-pixel focus rectangle. You can use the System Properties, Registry Editor, or third-party software such as Ultimate Windows Tweaker. Whichever method you choose, make sure to follow the steps carefully and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
To make the focus rectangle thinner on your computer, you can navigate to “Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Ease of Access Center\Make the computer easier to see” and deselect the “Make the focus rectangle thicker” option:
