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

C'mon guys, 24-bit is much better than 16-bit. It won't be long until someone discovers how to get 36-bit color with integration on.

HughShaw said:

C'mon guys, 24-bit is much better than 16-bit. It won't be long until someone discovers how to get 36-bit color with integration on.

What would be the point? The eye can't distinguish that many colors anyway. 24bit ~ 16.7million and at optimum estimates, the eye could possibly do 7 million colors/shades.

Well to me there's a big difference in some XP programs that run better with 36 bit. 16 bit is too low, but 24 bit looks a lot better. Give it a try, your icons will look smoother and especially if you added themes the colors will be noticeably better.

I have a widescreen LCD and it's almost like 36 bit...

I'll agree there is a big difference between 16 bit (65,536) and 24 bit (16.7 million). However you can't possibly tell any different between 24 bit and 36 bit (68.7 billion).

HughShaw said:

I read this article and decided to try it out even though it refers to Remote Desktop. I did these steps:

1. Open up the Group Policy editor, by going Start --> Run and type in MMC.
2. Add the Group Policy snap-in by going File --> Add/Remove Snap-in --> Add --> Group Policy Object Editor --> Add --> Finish (Local Machine) --> Close --> Ok.
3. Now navigate in the Group Policy Object Editor from Local Computer Policy --> Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Widnows Components --> Terminal Services and double-click on the 'Limit maximum Color Depth' object.
4. By default the policy is disabled and sets you to 16-bit color. Click on 'Enable' and choose either 'Client Compatible' or 24-bit to enable the highest resolution of 24-bit (True Color) to display via Remote Desktop. Options include 8-bit, 15-bit, 16-bit, and 24-bit.

Then I saved the profile and restarted, and now it's 24-bit with integration on! Looks so much better!

HughShaw said:

I found an easier way to get 24 bit colors with integration on here.
1. Run regedit.
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!

I dont have terminal services listed in either methods.

Sorry to say but I wasnt able to find it that way either.