Changing Default Windows 7 Color with Style Builder

chris35 · 09 Jun 2012

Hello - I recently purchased a new Dell XPS 8500 system running Windows 7 and otherwise am very happy with it, with one exception: I find the default baby blue/sky blue color in Windows 7 absolutely unbearable.

I use the computer primarily for extensive photo, video and music editing, and even after a week of use simply cannot stand this light blue color - it hurts my eyes as I work. I wish I could simply change that default color to a simple gray like in Vista.

As that is no simple chore, I purchased Ave's Windows7 Style Builder but cannot for the life of me figure out how to change the default color from that baby blue to a simple gray. Any help/advice would be most appreciated. I am not looking for a fancy theme or style, but rather simply wish to get rid of that baby blue default. Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Bongo · 09 Jun 2012

Welcome to the Seven Forums
1st
You need to use a copy of the aero theme to make a custom theme so you do not damage the default theme.
Look at post #38 it will show you how to start a new theme Start menu color change ??
2nd
This will be a custom theme and you will need to do 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes for it to work.
Enabling Custom Themes - Windows 7
Or
Theme - How to Apply Custom Themes
3rd
Open the new themes .msstyles up in Windows Style Builder
4th
Here is a start after you get this will help more.
Look at screenshots

Changing Default Windows 7 Color with Style Builder-computer.png

1
Explorer & Shell > Explorer > CommandModule > <1> (edit the

image)
2
Explorer & Shell > Explorer > PreviewPane > <1> > <1> (edit

the image)
3
Explorer & Shell > Explorer > Menu Bar > Background (edit

the image)
and
Toolbars, Headers and Rebar > Rebar > Rebar (edit the

image)
they need to be to same
4
Explorer & Shell > Explorer > Items View > ItemsView >

FILLCOLOR:COLOR (change the color)
5
Explorer & Shell > Explorer > ProperTree > <2> >

FILLCOLOR:COLOR (change the color)

The 1st time you go to edit a image it will ask what image editor you want to use navigate to your editor .exe in the program file.

Changing Default Windows 7 Color with Style Builder-1.png

Changing Default Windows 7 Color with Style Builder-2.png

If you need more help let me know
Jerry

chris35 · 09 Jun 2012

Thank you Bongo for your assistance! I followed your instructions and successfully created the "test" copy of the aero style & folder. However perhaps you could clarify - once in StyleBuilder, how exactly do I "edit the image"? I have Photoshop Elements but am unsure how to change the color, and then input that back into Style Builder. My apologies if I am missing something obvious, but thank you again for your help.

Bongo · 09 Jun 2012

Navigate to the image and click on it then click Edit.

The 1st time you go to edit a image it will ask what image editor you want to use navigate to your editor .exe in the program file.

Changing Default Windows 7 Color with Style Builder-2b.png

After you edit the image click save in your image editor after it saves click on Done editing image.

Changing Default Windows 7 Color with Style Builder-3.png

Or
Export the image to your desktop then edit it then Import the image back in.

Changing Default Windows 7 Color with Style Builder-5.png

Jerry