How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10  

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    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10

    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10

    Published by Category: Customization
    20 Apr 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10


    When you change the color in Windows 10, it will change the color of your Start menu accents, Start button, taskbar, title bars, window borders, buttons, text, Settings accents, sign-in screen accents, and Action Center accents.

    However, that doesn't change the color of the title bar of inactive windows leaving it white.

    This tutorial will show you how to change the color of the inactive title bar for your account in Windows 10.

    You must turn on Show color on title bar to be able to change the color of the inactive title bar.


    EXAMPLE: Active vs Inactive Title Bar
    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10-titlebars.jpg



    Here's How:

    1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

    2 Browse to the key located below in Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\DWM

    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10-inactive_titlebar_color_registry-1.png

    3 In the right pane of the DWM key, double click/tap on the AccentColorInactive DWORD to modify it. (see screenshot above)

    If you do not have the AccentColorInactive DWORD, then right click on an empty area in the right pane of the DWM key, click/tap on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value, type AccentColorInactive, and press Enter.

    If you want to undo this and restore the default inactive title bar color, delete the AccentColorInactive DWORD, click/tap on Yes to confirm, and go to step 5 below.


    4 Type the BGR hex number (ex: 696969) for the color (ex: dimgray/grey) you want in the color table below, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

    To get the BGR hex number, you will need to reverse the first two and last two characters of the RGB in the color table below.

    For example with the color aquamarine:

    RGB (RRGGBB) in color table = 7FFFD4

    BGR (BBGGRR) you would enter = D4FF7F

    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10-inactive_titlebar_color_registry-2.png
    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10-colorchart.jpg

    5 When finished, close Registry Editor.


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 134,237
    Windows 11 Pro (x64) 23H2 Build 22631.3296
       #1

    Well Shawn, I just went to that location in my registry, and I do not show the same choices in my registry at all ???
    Here is my screen shot of that location.

    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10-inactivetitle.png
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 260
    Win 10 Pro X64
       #2

    @OldMike65 just add a new DWORD (32 bit) Value and name it "AccentColorInactive" with Data value the same as AccentColor or the color of your choice also if you wish to only have the title bar colored and not the taskbar or start menu or a combination of your choice it can be done as below and Show color on Start, taskbar, action center, and title bar can be turned off. At least it works on mine where only the title bars are colored

    Navigate to the following key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize"
    A) If you do not want the Taskbar or Start Menu+Action Centre colourised, set the value "ColorPrevalence" to 0.
    B) If you want both the Taskbar and Start Menu+Action Centre colourised, set the value "ColorPrevalence" to 1.
    C) If you want only the Taskbar colourised, and not the Start Menu+Action Centre, set the value "ColorPrevalence" to 2

    Then Navigate to the following key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\DWM"
    A) If you do not want the Window Borders to be colourised, set the value "ColorPrevalence" to 0.
    B) If you want the Window Borders to be colourised, set the value "ColorPrevalence" to 1.
    restart explorer.exe to see your changes
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hello Mike, :)

    Yep, it's not there by default, and must be added. The note box under step 3 can help show you how to.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 134,237
    Windows 11 Pro (x64) 23H2 Build 22631.3296
       #4

    Brink said:
    Hello Mike, :)

    Yep, it's not there by default, and must be added. The note box under step 3 can help show you how to.
    Darn it Shawn, I missed that part Thanks for waking me up!!
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I certainly can relate. :)
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 27,166
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #6

    This hack wasn't working for me....
    I get my colored inactive title bars with Aerolite(plus I like the ultra thin frame it gives all system32 windows and on the slide-outs(start menu & system clock) it gives them a stained glass effect)
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Hey Cliff,

    I'm using the "Windows" theme under "Windows Default Themes" for this if it helps.

    How to Change Color of Inactive Title Bar in Windows 10-themes.png
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 27,166
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #8

    I've tried all of 'em Shawn...
    I was experimenting to see if I could create a reg file to install it, then was going to ask you if you could make a VBS, where the user can enter the hex value, to make changes in color easier. Something like my reg file for CPL/Colors, but user-non-Geek friendly, seeing it's only one value to change:)
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    If you haven't already, you might see if signing out and in, or restarting the computer afterwards may apply it for you.
      My Computers


 

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