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change windows 11 taskbar color

Change Windows 11 Taskbar Color: A Personalization Guide

Customizing the look and feel of your Windows 11 desktop can significantly enhance your user experience, making it more visually appealing and personal. A common tweak users look for is how to change Windows 11 taskbar color. While Windows 11 offers various personalization options, modifying the taskbar color is linked to your overall system theme and accent color settings. This guide will show you exactly how to do it

Understanding Taskbar Color in Windows 11

In Windows 11, you don’t have a direct, isolated setting to pick a specific color just for the taskbar. Instead, the taskbar’s color is primarily influenced by two main settings:

  • Your chosen Windows Mode: Whether your system is set to Light Mode or Dark Mode.
  • Your Accent Color: The color Windows uses to highlight various interface elements like tiles, active window borders, and, importantly, the taskbar and Start menu.

By adjusting these, you can effectively change Windows 11 taskbar color.

How to Change Windows 11 Taskbar Color (via Accent Color)

The most direct way to alter the taskbar color is by enabling your chosen accent color to be displayed on both the Start menu and the taskbar.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

First, you need to access the main settings panel for Windows 11.

  1. Click the Start button (the Windows icon) on your taskbar.
  2. Select the Settings app (it looks like a gear icon).
    • Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: Navigate to Personalization

All visual customization options are grouped under Personalization.

  1. In the Settings window, click on Personalization from the left-hand navigation pane.

Step 3: Choose Colors

This is where you’ll find options to control the color scheme of your Windows interface.

  1. Within the Personalization section, click on Colors.

Step 4: Select Your Windows Mode

The overall mode (Light or Dark) will affect the base appearance and how the accent color is applied.

  1. Find the “Choose your mode” dropdown menu.
  2. Select either Light or Dark. For the accent color to be visible on the taskbar, the Dark mode is often required for this specific setting to become available. If you choose “Custom,” ensure your “Default Windows mode” is set to Dark.

Step 5: Choose Your Accent Color

This is the color that will be applied to your taskbar.

  1. Locate the “Accent color” setting.
  2. You have several choices:
    • Automatic: Windows will select an accent color based on your current desktop wallpaper.
    • Manual: This allows you to pick a color from a predefined palette or choose a Custom color using a more detailed color picker.
    • Select your desired accent color.

Step 6: Apply Accent Color to Start and Taskbar

This is the key setting to change Windows 11 taskbar color.

  1. Scroll down in the “Colors” settings page.
  2. Find the toggle switch labeled “Show accent color on Start and taskbar”.
  3. Turn this toggle switch to the On position.

Step 7: Observe the Changes

After enabling the “Show accent color on Start and taskbar” option, your taskbar should now reflect the accent color you selected. The Start menu will also adopt this color.

Troubleshooting: “Show accent color on Start and taskbar” is Grayed Out

If you find that the “Show accent color on Start and taskbar” toggle is grayed out and you cannot enable it, this is a common scenario.

  • Cause: This usually happens if your “Choose your mode” (from Step 4) is set to “Light”. The accent color on the taskbar is primarily designed to work with the Dark mode in Windows 11.
  • Solution: To enable the toggle, change your overall mode to “Dark”. If you prefer to use a custom setup, ensure that your “Choose your default Windows mode” is set to “Dark” while your “Choose your default app mode” can remain “Light” if you wish. Once the Windows mode is dark, the toggle should become active.

Using Themes for a Broader Change

Changing your entire Windows theme can also affect the taskbar color, as themes often come with pre-set accent colors and modes.

  1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Themes.
  2. Selecting a new theme will change your wallpaper, mode, and accent color, which will in turn change Windows 11 taskbar color.

Limitations and Third-Party Customization

It’s important to note that Windows 11 does not provide an option to set a completely custom, independent color for the taskbar that is different from the system-wide accent color applied to Start as well. The feature is designed to provide a cohesive look.

For more advanced or specific taskbar color customizations beyond what is natively offered, users sometimes turn to third-party customization tools. Applications like StartAllBack or Stardock Start11 offer more granular control over the taskbar and Start Menu appearance. However, be cautious when downloading and installing third-party software, ensuring it comes from a reputable source to avoid potential security risks.

Conclusion

While Windows 11 ties the taskbar color to the system accent color and mode, you can still effectively change Windows 11 taskbar color by following the steps outlined above. By selecting your preferred mode and accent color, and ensuring the “Show accent color on Start and taskbar” option is enabled, you can personalize your desktop to better suit your style.