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  • How to Change the Taskbar Color


    One way to customize a Windows Desktop is to change the Taskbar’s color. Changing the Taskbar’s color is not only simple, but takes less than a minute. Here is how:

    Change the Task Bar Color in Windows XP

    1. Start up the computer and right click any clear space (do not click any part of the taskbar or on any icons). A menu should appear.
    2. In this menu, select Properties.
    3. Select the option for Appearance in the menu that appears.
    4. Click the active title bar.
    5. Easily customize the Taskbar’s color.
    6. Click Apply and view the Taskbar’s new look. Once the taskbar is customized as desired, click OK to close the dialog box. It should be noted that while the taskbar color will change, the Start Button will always remain green.How to Change the Taskbar Color

    Change the Task Bar Color in Windows Vista

    1. Start up the computer and right click any clear space (do not click on any part of the taskbar or any icons). A menu should appear.
    2. In this menu, select Personalize.
    3. In the new menu that appears, select the option for Colors and Appearance.
    4. Click the color and any desired attributes.
    5. Click OK and the new Taskbar color will be customized.

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    22 comments
    1. Travis Trapani

      19 October, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      This is so Not working at all. It changes everything BUT the Taskbar….grr I hate winvista with a passion…

      Reply
    2. WORLD PEACE

      11 December, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      In Windows 7 Professional… how do I locate the option of setting the color (blue, silver, green) ?? I normally have no problem with PC settings but I am today 🙂 Any help is appreciated.

      Reply
    3. danwat1234

      21 September, 2012 at 6:13 pm

      How do I change the color of the bottom task bar in windows 7 64-bit, in classic GUI mode? No Aero glass running. I want my task bar to be darker.

      Reply
    4. Larry

      11 June, 2012 at 5:06 pm

      “Easily customize the Taskbar color” is not an option. If it were, I wouldn’t be looking for tips.

      Reply
    5. stampy

      15 April, 2012 at 11:30 am

      just right click on the desktop
      select properties
      select appearance
      select windows classic style (on the left)
      then choose a colour scheme
      or select high contrast #2
      then click advanced and change each individual till you have the desired look.

      This is how i changed my taskbar to black and it also changes the start button to black as well 🙂

      Reply
    6. RMRdenver

      27 February, 2012 at 8:02 pm

      the bottom task bar highlight setting is too low, how do I change it back?

      Reply
    7. joel rochow

      21 January, 2012 at 11:15 pm

      wanted to change color of taskbar, but NOT color of desktop. Well, after a heck of a lot of reading, I come to conclusion that if I want the standard MS green, I will have to accept the darker green for my taskbar. At least, that is the impression I get from MS.

      MS – Please don’t forget to keep it simple. It is easier to write too much than too little. How about just the necessary number of words so customer can get the job done. Am I asking for too much?  Probably. 

      Reply
    8. kristin

      8 January, 2012 at 8:46 pm

      is there a way to change the color of it on windows 7 starter? ive looked for a long time and i still cant find a way

      Reply
    9. Arjun

      1 November, 2011 at 6:00 am

      i forget our window 7 admin password how to remove it

      Reply
    10. vivek

      12 October, 2011 at 6:26 am

      bakwas hai yee dont use it

      Reply
    11. Tux

      3 October, 2011 at 7:30 pm

      Personally I’m waiting for Windows 2050. By then, with quantum computing technology, computers should be powerful enough to run both the latest operating system, and useable applications. I wait with bated breath….
      Oh and hopefully I’ll be able to change my title bar colour AND use the latest windows themes.

      Reply
    12. Mr.Texas

      7 August, 2011 at 2:44 pm

      LOL I’m waiting until next year. I’ve got Windows XP, but I’m waiting until 2012 for Windows 8, and THEN I’ll change operating systems

      Reply
    13. Lee

      7 June, 2011 at 9:08 pm

      useless article above. You skipped the “Advanced” button step. Besides, clicking on the “Active Title Bar” in no way will change the properties of the taskbar. waste of time advice.

      Reply
    14. WindsurferLA

      4 May, 2011 at 6:20 am

      I’m not looking to change the color of the task bar.  My objection is just the opposite.  I want to understand what is triggering it to change color by itself as the color change indicates another problem.
      Normally my task bar is blue.  Once it turns to silver, sub-ordinate computers on my LAN can no longer print using the HP laser printer connected to my prime computer. Once the task bar has changed to silver, rebooting the system is the only way to bring back the blue task bar and restore remote operations over my LAN.  My machine is a WinXP-pro with 2.0 GB of RAM. Although the problem has appeared at least a dozen times, I’ve yet to be able to cause the problem.  Suggestions anyone?

      Reply
      • memenode

        4 May, 2011 at 6:27 pm

        That sounds ridiculously weird, but there’s a discussion here about it that has a bunch of suggestions.

        Reply
    15. Taskbow

      14 April, 2011 at 4:13 pm

      Let me advise you Taskbow to paint your taskbar.
      Good luck!

      Reply
    16. hmm

      23 January, 2011 at 4:04 pm

      For the instructions you’ve given me, i’ve right clicked on the destop & the options i have are graphics propeties ?
      And i dont understand what to do.

      Reply
      • Brian

        19 February, 2011 at 7:38 pm

        What operating system are you using?  On XP, a right click on the desktop gets a menu with several options including “properties”.

        Reply
    17. Paolo

      21 January, 2011 at 1:32 pm

      why is there only 3 colors of the taskbar at windows xp? Olive green,Blue and Silver? is there a way to change it to other colors ? like black?

      Reply
      • memenode

        21 January, 2011 at 1:42 pm

        Yes, but it requires installing third party programs like WindowBlinds. Then you can search for windows customization sites for some extra themes.

        Windows XP is pretty much obsolete though. It’s already 10 years old and there are two new operating systems out, which also have more style options among other things. Windows 7 is probably the best Microsoft OS so far.

        Reply
        • Mac

          24 May, 2012 at 5:15 pm

          I’d love to know where you’ve got the information that “Windows XP is pretty much obsolete” It’s probably the second most popular operating system currently being used, and is still used by many organisations due to it reliability and its ability to work as it should.

          Personally, and many people would agree with this, Vista isn’t a worthwhile investment to anyone. Users are gradually moving towards Windows 7 and avoiding Vista.

          Reply
    18. Confused guy

      28 July, 2010 at 6:26 pm

      Thanks i logged on one day and my start colour was diffrent This Help thanks alot and btw u need to edit 1 a More update “# Select the option for Appearance in the menu that appears.
      # Click on the active title bar.” You click apperance and then Advanced For XP

      Reply
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