How to Change Colors in Windows 11

Opening Windows Color Settings

Step 1. Open Windows Settings

• First, click on the Windows Start Menu
• Then click on “Settings”

Step 2. Select Windows Colors Settings

• First, click on “Personalization”
• Then click on “Colors”

Choosing the Color Mode for Windows and Apps

Windows lets you customize the colors for almost every element. You can change the desktop background color, start menu, taskbar, and application windows. You can also set a “Light” and “Dark” mode, just like most mobile devices. Overall, the look and feel of Windows is very customizable. So, let’s take a quick look at how to change accent colors in Windows, along with some additional settings.

Step 1. Let’s select the “Dark” mode to apply to all Windows elements

• From the “Choose your mode” listbox, select the “Dark” mode option

Note: As you will see in the next step, all Windows elements are now in Dark mode.

Step 2. Now let’s select “Custom” mode to adjust Windows elements seperately

• From the “Choose your mode” listbox select the “Custom” mode option

Note: In the next step you will see two options to customize “Windows” and “Apps” individually.

Step 3. Let’s choose “Light” mode to apply to the Windows elements.

• From the “Choose your default Windows mode” listbox select the “Light” mode option

Note: As you see in the next step, the Windows taskbar is now in Light mode.

Step 4. Now let’s choose “Light” mode to apply to the default Apps.

• From the “Choose your default app mode” listbox select the “Light” mode option

Note: As you can see in the screen shot below, the App Window (Settings) is now in Light mode.

Step 5. Let’s return to Dark mode

• From the “Choose your mode” listbox select the “Dark” mode option

Enabling Transparency Effects

You can enable a transparency setting that applies to all Windows backgrounds and other surfaces, such as the Start menu.

Step 1. Setting the transparency toggle switch

• Simply toggle the switch “On” or “Off” to enable or disable the transparency effect.

Applying an Accent Color to Windows Elements

Two options exist for setting an accent color in Windows (Automatic and Manual). Automatic will set a color based on the current Desktop background. For this step, let’s review the “Manual” option.

Step.1 Let’s apply an accent color manually

• Select “Manual” from the “Accent color” list box
• Click on a few different colors from the Windows color pallet

Note: As you select different colors you will see the accent line next to the “Personalization” update with the selected color.

Step.2 Using the “Custom colors” options

• Scroll down and click on “View colors” to open the custom color options
• Click anywhere on the color spectrum to choose a custom color

Step.3 How to view more color options

• Click on the “More” button to open advanced color options

Step.4 Adding specific color values as a accent color

• Using these setting options you can enter precise color values to match any color

Step.5 Apply an accent color to the Windows Start and Taskbar elements

• Toggle this switch “On” to apply your selected accent color to the Windows Start and Taskbar.

Step. 6 Apply an accent color to Windows title bars and borders

• Toggle this switch “On” to apply your selected accent color to the Title bars and Windows borders.

Note: As you can see, the App Window (Settings) now has a thin blue border.