Windows 11: How to Change Your Taskbar Colour Easy as

How to Change Your Taskbar Colour in Windows 11

Open Settings — Your first port of call

Click on the Start menu or hit the Windows key.
Open Settings by clicking the gear icon or typing “Settings”.

Heads up: the Settings app is basically your control centre for everything, including the taskbar colour. If Windows is being a pain and refusing to open or acting weird, a quick Ctrl + Alt + Del to end tasks or a reboot might do the trick. Sometimes, Windows just needs a nudge to behave.

Navigate to Personalisation — Your playground

In Settings, click on Personalisation.
Then, select Colours from the sidebar.

This is where all the colour options, themes, and toggles live. If the Colours menu doesn’t show up or is missing some bits, your Windows version might be a tad different or it’s in a different build. Keep in mind, for some builds, you might need to enable “Show accent colour on Start, taskbar, and action centre” toggle to see the taskbar colour options.

Pick your accent colour — Get creative

In Colours, you’ll see a palette of preset colours. Pick one that catches your eye.
For your own custom shades, click Custom colour and set your preferred hue.

This is where the fun begins. The reason it helps is that Windows uses this accent colour not just for highlights but also for the taskbar background when toggled on. Kinda weird, but selecting a new colour here will make your taskbar shift from dull to eye-catching in no time.

Make it stick — Enable on the taskbar

Scroll down in Colours until you see “Show accent colour on Start, taskbar, and action centre”.
Flip that switch to On.

This step’s key. Without it, the colour you chose might only be seen on some parts of the UI but not on the taskbar. Once you switch it on, your taskbar should update with your new colour pretty much straight away. Sometimes you might need to restart Explorer or even the PC to see it all kick into gear, but usually it’s quick as a flash.

Tips for Changing Your Taskbar Colour in Windows 11

Switch colours often — what looks ace today might clash tomorrow.
Keep an eye on the overall theme — dark mode can look grouse with certain colours, while light palettes suit others.
If you’re a bit stuck, try the Windows “Pick a colour” option — it randomises some shades and can be a bit of fun.
Remember, darker colours make icons really pop, but lighter shades give off a soft, minimalist vibe.
Don’t be scared to experiment. The best combos often come from trying a few different options until you find one you like.

FAQs

Why can’t I change my taskbar colour?

This usually happens if the toggle “Show accent colour on Start, taskbar, and action centre” isn’t switched on. Also, some themes or system policies — especially on work or school computers — might block colour changes. Double-check that your Windows version supports customisation, and that you’re not on a theme that overrides these settings.

Can I pick any colour I want?

Yep. Windows lets you choose from preset colours and create your own shades with the colour picker. Just make sure you turn on the setting to apply it on the taskbar, or it might stay stuck on the default.

Does changing the taskbar colour slow my PC down?

Nah, not at all. It’s purely visual. Unless you’re switching to a super flashy theme that hogs resources, it shouldn’t affect performance one bit.

Can I change the taskbar colour without messing with window borders?

Not exactly. When you toggle the accent colour on the taskbar, Windows applies it both there and to the window borders — unless you set the borders to a different style using other tweaks or third-party apps.

How do I revert to the default?

Head back into Colours settings, pick the default system colour, or disable the “Show accent colour on Start, taskbar, and action centre” toggle. Windows should reset pretty quick.