To change Windows visual effects - Windows XP

You can turn specific Windows visual effects on or off. For example, you can display shadows under menus to give a three-dimensional (3-D) effect, indicate folder types with watermarks, and increase the size of icons.

You can change some visual effects in Display Properties and others in System Properties in Control Panel.

Change visual effects in Display

1. Open Display in Control Panel.
2. On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
3. In the Effects dialog box, select the check box for those items you want to turn on.

Notes:
To open Display, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.
For information about a specific item, right-click the item and then click What's This?.

Change visual effects in System

1.Open System in Control Panel.
2. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
3. On the Visual Effects tab, click Custom.
4. Select the check box for those items you want to turn on. Clear the check box for the items you want to turn off.

Note:
To open System, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.

From: Help and Support Center Win XP