Windows 7 - I got XP mode to display 24-bit color with integration!

HughShaw · 11-25-2010

Glad to see this thread is still helping people after all this time!

fafhrd · 04-06-2011

Just a little tip:

Without integration features enabled, the built-in driver for Windows Virtual PC S3 Trio 32/64 graphics offers 32-bit colour for XPMode and other Windows virtual machines, which is slightly easier on the eye for longer periods and reading from the screen, but not so good with screen repaints when windows are moved, etc., which appear fragmented and blocky.

TBoyd · 05-17-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by HughShaw

I found an easier way to get 24 bit colors with integration on here.
1. Run regedit in XP.
2. Navigate to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services].
3. Add a DWORD Value named "ColorDepth" w/o parenthesis.
4. Right-click it, modify, then put "4" in the Value data.
5. Restart XP mode.

On another note, if you clicked the link above, you'll notice that he said 32-bit color is possible with XP mode, but you'll have to make extensive changes to the RDP!

Excellent tip, Hugh! Changing from 16 bit to 24 bit made a difference. In 16 bit color the grays had a pink tint. Now in 24 bit, the grays are neutral. Go figure!

ddd990 · 07-17-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by HughShaw

Glad to see this thread is still helping people after all this time!

It's still helping in 2011. Loving the ClearType wizard link someone posted, and 24 bit color makes a HUGE difference (thanks for the .reg file, making it easiest of all).

GTX11 · 09-28-2011

24 bit is a tad better but Microsoft after all these years should have been able to fix this.

tim61495 · 10-09-2011

OO glad to hear about the upgrade. I was worried that I would be stuck with 16bit

windude99 · 04-06-2012

This is awesome! I just did this to my XPMode and it looks so much better! Thanks!