[1] HTML could be added both in place of the regular wallpaper and as independent resizable desktop items.
The introduction of the Active Desktop marked Microsoft's attempt to capitalize on the push technology trend led by PointCast.
Active Desktop debuted as part of an Internet Explorer 4.0 preview release in July 1997,[3] and came out with the launch of the 4.0 browser in September that year.
Features include the option to allow uppercase filenames (the old v4.0 desktop would forcibly display uppercase filenames in title case), configurable one-click hot-tracking file selection, customizable per-folder HTML display settings, QuickLaunch mini-buttons on the Taskbar next to the Start button, upgraded Start Menu allowing drag and drop item reordering and allowing right-click context menus for item renaming, etc.
The HTML displaying capabilities are now mainly used for creating original wallpapers and adding search boxes to the desktop.