How to Change Windows Explorer Color
Windows Explorer, also known as File Explorer, is a widely used file management tool in the Windows operating system. Its default color scheme might not always match your personal style or the aesthetic of your desktop environment. If you’re looking to spruce up your Windows experience by changing the color of Windows Explorer, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of how to change Windows Explorer color in a few simple steps.
1. Accessing the Registry Editor
Before diving into the customization options, you’ll need to access the Registry Editor. This is a powerful tool that allows you to modify the underlying settings of your Windows system. To open the Registry Editor, follow these steps:
1. Press the `Win + R` keys to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type `regedit` and press `Enter` to launch the Registry Editor.
2. Navigating to the Color Key
Once the Registry Editor is open, you’ll need to navigate to the specific key that controls the color scheme of Windows Explorer. Here’s how to do it:
1. In the left pane, expand the following folders: `HKEY_CURRENT_USER`, `Software`, `Microsoft`, `Windows`, `CurrentVersion`, `Explorer`.
2. Right-click on the `Explorer` folder and select `New` > `Key`.
3. Name the new key `Color`.
3. Creating a New Value
Now that you have the `Color` key, you’ll need to create a new value to specify the color scheme. Here’s how to proceed:
1. Right-click on an empty space within the `Color` key and select `New` > `DWORD (32-bit) Value`.
2. Name the new value `UseSystemTheme`.
4. Modifying the Color Scheme
With the `UseSystemTheme` value created, you can now modify the color scheme of Windows Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Double-click on the `UseSystemTheme` value.
2. In the `Value data` field, enter `1` to enable the color scheme to follow the system theme, or enter `0` to disable it and use a custom color scheme.
3. Click `OK` to save the changes.
5. Applying the New Color Scheme
After modifying the `UseSystemTheme` value, you’ll need to restart Windows Explorer for the changes to take effect. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the `Processes` tab.
3. Find `Windows Explorer` in the list of processes.
4. Right-click on `Windows Explorer` and select `End Task`.
5. Click `File` > `New Task (Run…)`.
6. Type `explorer.exe` and press `Enter` to restart Windows Explorer.
6. Additional Customization
If you want to go beyond the system theme and apply a custom color scheme, you can do so by modifying the `Color` key further. Within the `Color` key, you’ll find several subkeys, each representing a different color in the Windows Explorer interface. By modifying these values, you can change the color of various elements, such as the title bar, toolbar, and list view.
In conclusion, changing the color of Windows Explorer is a straightforward process that involves accessing the Registry Editor, creating a new value, and modifying the color scheme. By following these steps, you can easily personalize your Windows experience and make it more visually appealing.
