To change the fonts or colors for desktop items on the Microsoft Windows XP operating system:

1. Right-click an empty area on your desktop, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Appearance tab.
3. Click the Advanced button. (This step is missing from Microsoft KB.)
4. In the Item box, click any of the following items:

   Active Title Bar
   Icon
   Inactive Title Bar
   Menu
   Message Box
   Palette Title
   Selected Items
   ToolTip
   Window

5. In the Font box, click the font that you want to use for the item.
6. In the Size box, click the size that you want to use for the item.
7. In the Color box, click the color that you want to use for the item.

   NOTE: You cannot choose a color for the Icon and Palette Title items.

8. To apply a bold font for an item, click that item in the Item box, and then click the B button. To italicize the font for an item, click the I button.

Tested and worked for me. (Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/140752)