Personalising Your Windows 11 Taskbar with a Fresh New Colour
Looking to jazz up your taskbar colour in Windows 11? It’s a piece of cake and can really give your desktop a bit of personality. A new colour doesn’t just look good; it can also match your mood or vibe. Just a few tweaks in the settings, and you can totally transform your user interface. Here’s how to do it without tearing your hair out.
How to Adjust the Taskbar Colour
It’s straightforward. Changing your taskbar to a colour of your choice involves a handful of clicks in the Settings. Whether you prefer something subtle or a bright pop of colour, it’s a quick fix that can really lift the whole Windows experience.
Opening Windows Settings
First, click the Start menu, then select the gear icon to open the Settings app — or just press Windows + I because shortcuts make life easier. In Settings, you’ll find everything related to customising your PC, including how your desktop looks. Head over to Personalisation > Colours, and you’re halfway there.
Exploring Personalisation Options
Once inside Settings, find the “Personalisation” section. Clicking on it reveals all the options to make your PC truly yours, such as wallpapers, themes, and other visual tweaks that give your desktop a personalised touch.
Locating the Colours Menu
Within the Personalisation menu, look for the “Colours” tab. Here, you can set your accent colour, toggle transparency effects, and decide whether these colours appear on the Start menu and taskbar. This is where the fun begins.
Enabling Accent Colour on the Taskbar
Scroll down until you see “Show accent colour on Start and taskbar.” Flip that switch on to apply your selected colour to the taskbar. There’s also an option for “Show accent colour on Title bars and Windows borders” if you really want things to match up. Activating these options creates a more cohesive look, which is always a bonus.
Selecting Your Colour
Pick a colour from the preset options or click View colours for customised choices. The Microsoft Colour Picker allows you to input HEX or RGB values if you prefer a specific hue. For instance, you might choose #0078D7
for a vibrant blue. Once selected, Windows will apply it immediately to your taskbar. Voilà — instant style upgrade!
Tips for Customising Your Taskbar Colour
- If you want your taskbar to blend seamlessly with your desktop wallpaper, pick a matching colour. Check out Settings > Personalisation > Background — usually found in
C:\Users\YourUserName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\Backgrounds
. - Not sure where to start? Let Windows do the heavy lifting. It can suggest a colour based on your wallpaper automatically.
- Mind the contrast; some colours might make icons hard to see. Stick to shades that keep everything clear and easy to read.
- Feel free to experiment. Changing colours is a breeze through the same menu — go on, have a go!
- If you’ve got a colour in mind that’s not in the presets, just use the custom colour option again. No fuss, no hassle.
FAQs About Customising Your Taskbar Colour
Can I change the taskbar colour without affecting the rest of my Windows theme?
Absolutely! If the overall theme feels a bit much, just toggle off “Transparency effects” in Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects. That often helps to tidy things up.
What if I don’t see the accent colour options?
This can happen if you’re using high contrast mode or other accessibility features. To fix it, head to Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes and turn off high contrast. That should bring back your colour options.
Can I use a custom colour for the taskbar?
You bet. Just pick Custom colour in the Colours menu, enter your HEX or RGB values, and you’re sorted.
Will changing the taskbar colour slow down my system?
Nope, it’s purely a visual tweak. No impact on performance — it’s all handled smoothly through Windows’ graphics settings.
How do I reset the taskbar colour to default?
Head into the Colours menu, then choose Default Windows colour or switch off the accent colour toggle. That’ll restore the usual look, which is typically the default Windows theme colour.
Customising your taskbar in Windows 11 is a quick way to turn a dull desktop into something more you. A few clicks is all it takes to give your workspace a fresh feel. Play around, find what suits your style, and enjoy making your PC truly yours. And don’t forget — Windows keeps adding new themes and settings to keep things interesting!
This little tip could save you hours of frustration, helping your desktop look less like a factory setting. Personalisation is all about making it YOURS!