Introduction
Customizing colors in Windows is a simple way to personalize the operating system to your preferences. By changing accent colors and choosing dark or light themes, you can improve readability, reduce eye strain, and make the interface more comfortable for daily use. This guide will help you quickly and easily configure the color scheme in Windows 10 and 11 without using third-party software.
Requirements / Preparation
Before you begin, ensure that:
- You have Windows 10 (version 1903 or later) or Windows 11 installed.
- You are logged in with a user account (administrator rights are not required, but some changes may require a restart).
- An internet connection may be needed to download updates for certain color settings (e.g., the Start screen).
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
Press the Win + I keyboard shortcut or open the Start menu and click the gear icon Settings. This will open the main Windows settings window.
Step 2: Go to the "Personalization" Section
In the left pane of settings, click Personalization (paintbrush icon). Then, from the list of options, select Colors. You will now be on the page that manages interface colors.
Step 3: Choose an Accent Color
In the Accent color section, you can:
- Select a color from the standard palette by clicking on a preferred shade.
- Click More colors to open the palette and set an exact RGB or HEX code.
- Enable the option Automatically pick an accent color from my background if you want the system to choose a color based on your desktop wallpaper.
The selected color will be applied to interface elements such as buttons in the Start menu, taskbar, and window title bars.
Step 4: Configure Additional Color Settings
Below the accent color section are additional toggles:
- Show color on Start screen — applies the chosen color to the Start screen (Windows 10 only).
- Show color on Start menu, taskbar, and action center — enable this to reflect the color in these elements.
- Transparency effects — adjusts the transparency of menus and panels. Disable this to improve performance on low-end PCs.
- Show color in title bars and window borders — applies the accent color to window frames (Windows 10 only; this option is absent in Windows 11 as colors are applied differently).
Adjust these settings according to your needs.
Step 5: Apply a Dark or Light Theme
In the Choose your default mode section, define the overall color scheme:
- Light — light interface colors, suitable for bright environments.
- Dark — dark colors that reduce eye strain in low-light conditions.
- Custom — allows you to set a light theme for apps and a dark theme for the system, or vice versa (available in Windows 11).
The theme selection affects the background colors of menus, File Explorer, and built-in apps.
Step 6: Save Changes and Restart if Necessary
Most changes are applied instantly. However, a computer restart may be required for the full interface update, especially after changing the theme. If you do not see the changes, restart your system.
Verifying the Result
After configuring the colors, ensure they have changed:
- Open the Start menu — the accent color should be visible on buttons.
- Check the taskbar — its background and elements may change shade.
- Open File Explorer — window titles and background should match the selected theme.
- Open the Action Center — check the background color and elements.
If everything looks as you configured it, the guide was completed successfully.
Potential Issues
The following situations may occur when customizing colors:
- Color not applying — check if the option "Show color on Start menu, taskbar..." is enabled. Also, try restarting your computer.
- Conflict with third-party themes — if you have themes from the Microsoft Store or other skins installed, they may override colors. Temporarily revert to the default theme in settings.
- Missing options — some settings (e.g., color in window title bars) are only available in specific Windows versions. Update your system via Settings → Update & Security.
- Color doesn't match the palette — due to transparency effects or the theme. Disable transparency or choose a different theme.
- Access error — if you are on a corporate network, an administrator may have blocked theme changes. Contact your IT department.
These solutions should help resolve most issues when customizing colors.