How to change background color of Folders in Windows 7

Perhaps you could post a few screenshots making it clear which colors you want to change.

If you look at registry settings here:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\Colors

Then backup those two registry keys you can mess about changing colors without worry.

If you see 255 255 255 (That's white) listed for anything labelled window or info window then you can change the values to match the desired color. Just don't change any text colors!

It does require logging off/ on or a reboot to take effect.

Try changing the highlighted items to whatever values you want to use.

I will be away from my computer for around 14 hours or so.

Suggestion:

Go back into the registry and confirm that the settings that you applied have stuck. Since my last post I've tested several machines and was able to change background color by editing the registry on all of them without problems even without an admin account.

Check that any custom theme changer programs are not active or have been fully removed.

Also see the tutorial here and read about the restrictions on color changes depending upon the theme that 's in use.

Window Color and Appearance - Change

If you can live with "Classic Theme" use it then personalize. (Right click a blank part of your desktop then choose "Personalize" then "Window Color")





Save your current theme first though!

damando25 said:

I really appreciate your help. I have changed a lot of stuff but not what I want. It is mind boggling but I am backing up everything I change or making a copy at least.

Yes, backing up is really sensible!

Thanks for the invite. Unfortunately I won't use Team Viewer or allow Remote Desktop connections. sorry about that.

If you look at the tutorial here on Seven Forums that I mentioned in my last post and look at this image:



(It's some way down the page under 8. The Default Advanced Appearance Settings)

You should notice that it's only possible to change the Window Color if you also select the Basic Theme or an Ease Of Access Theme.

That means using one of the themes listed in this screenshot:



From this tutorial:

Theme - Change or Save

Other than that I'm afraid that it's going to mean other another third party theme changing software. Since the one that you tried to use didn't work.

Just for good measure here's the Advanced Appearance Settings - Backup and Restore in Windows tutorial that you could use before going any further!

Advanced Appearance Settings - Backup and Restore in Windows

I've used software from this site operated by another Seven Forums member and here's a link to some of the themes that are available:

WinAero: Classic Themes For Windows 7 - the Colorful Classic Themes

Also see the following:

WinAero: How to install 3rd party theme in Windows

Please note that this is not a recommendation and I haven't used these themes/ methods. It's just something that you could consider.

I reckon that you would probably be better off sticking with one of the themes that are supplied with Windows!