Changing the color of the toolbar, taskbar, or general desktop style of the Microsoft Windows operating system is standard personalization, but may require additional software.
Instructions
Step 1
Call the main menu of the Windows XP operating system by clicking the "Start" button to perform the operation of changing the color scheme of the desktop and go to the "Control Panel" item (for Windows XP).
Step 2
Expand the link "Design" and select "Screen".
Step 3
Expand the Change Color Scheme node in the left pane of the panel and select the desired color scheme.
Step 4
Download the free online theme archives for Windows XP and unpack them into the D: WinNTResourcesThemes folder.
Step 5
Return to the "Design" dialog and call the context menu of the "Screen" element by right-clicking.
Step 6
Specify the "Properties" item and go to the "Themes" tab of the dialog box that opens.
Step 7
Select the desired design and apply it by clicking OK (for Windows XP).
Step 8
Open the main menu of the Windows Vista operating system by clicking the "Start" button and go to the "Control Panel" item to change the color scheme of the desktop (for Windows Vista).
Step 9
Expand the Appearance and Personalization link and select the Personalization group.
Step 10
Expand the Window Color and Appearance node and specify the desired color scheme.
Step 11
Confirm your choice by clicking OK (for Windows Vista).
Step 12
Call the main menu of the Windows 7 operating system by clicking the "Start" button and go to the "Control Panel" item to change the color scheme of the desktop (for Windows 7).
Step 13
Expand the Personalization node and select the desired display options, or download and install the specialized free Taskbar Color Effects application on your computer.
Step 14
Use the program to customize the color and transparency of the taskbar or the entire system, regardless of the window design, displaying a shadow effect, or using an arbitrary image as a panel skin (for Windows 7).
