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Cannot change the colors of Windows [Solved/Closed]

dv9700pav 11Posts Tuesday October 14, 2008Registration date - Latest answer on Dec 26, 2012 05:25PM

Hi,
If I go to Personalization > Window Color and Appearance I cannot make changes because I disabled something couple months back.
I cannot change the colors of Windows, Start Menu, transparency, color mixer, color intensity but I can change the color schemes but that doesn't change anything either.
Can anybody please help me?

Answer

+47

cluelessgeek 18Posts Monday December 29, 2008Registration date Dec 30, 2008 03:58AM

Hello,
I had the same problem too and I solved it!

Try this:

>Start

>Search "msconfig"

>Right click

>Click "Run As Administrator"

>Services Tab

> Scroll down and make sure a checkbox is ticked next to "Themes" and "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager".
Then

>Start

>Search "services"

>Open Services result

>Scroll down and make sure "Themes" and "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager" are started, if not, right
click
> Start.

If they are disabled,

>Right click

>Properties

>Startup Type set to "Automatic" then start them.

Do this for both.

fox - Dec 9, 2009 01:34AM

i cant cange it to aero i go to aero select it hit apply ok and it stays on basic plz help

azazel - Mar 15, 2010 07:59AM

what is that "ticked" all about? can you use another term for that 'cause i can't understand it.

jimmy - Apr 12, 2010 06:15PM

make sure the box is checked

jimmy - Apr 12, 2010 06:15PM

that is what "ticked" means

Helped - May 10, 2010 08:57PM

i did almost the same thing and it helped ALOT, but i did a few steps differently. All of mine were already started, so in the services, i left clicked on the Desktop Window Manager Session Manager and Restarted it and it immediately changed my theme back to transparent, windows vista aero.

Genevieve - Jun 1, 2010 04:11PM

Restarting it worked for me.

cools - Jun 25, 2010 03:39AM

thank you cluelessgeek, that worked for me =)

poziks - Dec 26, 2012 05:25PM

OMG, thank you so much!!!!!!!!!

Answer

anony Sep 10, 2009 12:40PM

Cluelessgeek's answer helped me within seconds. Thank you. I freaked out for a bit... :)

Answer

J Feb 6, 2009 08:46AM

is your theme aero or vista basic
make sure its aero then you can do it

help - Mar 27, 2009 11:38PM

I can't seem to find the Vista Basic button.

jenni - Apr 3, 2009 05:36AM

i have windows 7 and i cant seem to change the window colour. i can find vista basic but i cant find aero

cathexis24 - Jul 16, 2009 12:53AM

I was having the same hang up so i searched and found this site, then figured it out how to fix it accidentally, so it thought i would share the solution :)
Pick the "Characters" theme in the personalization options, then close it. When you open it back up and click Windows Color you'll have a similar options menu to Vista, so you can pick the color and transparency of the theme. I like darker color themes so i was glad to find out how to fix this. (p.s. it may have something to do with me recently re-installing the drivers for my video card.... but probably not, so if you can re-install the drivers from your pc manufacturer or aftermarket video card M.F., then restart, then try this it should work.((as long as your video card isn't a pos, i.e. integrated ;) )) otherwise it

Ramu - Apr 23, 2010 12:12AM

It is totally not working for me!

caree - Aug 26, 2010 04:12AM

Cluelessgeek and Helped both helped me. Thank you (:

David - Sep 2, 2010 03:48PM

uhm id I type what you said like "msconfig" and "services" in SEARCH it finds me nothing. BUT if I go to RUN then the "msconfig" works. but the "services" still wont work... and for me, the problem is not solved :(

Answer

trae329 Jun 18, 2009 08:28PM

If you see the Windows Aero theme to select, click that. If you don't see it:

1. Click on Windows Vista Basic and hit effects.
2. In the first drop-down list, click Standard.
3. Click OK.
4. Close it.
5. Open it again.
6. It should come up with a theme called Windows Aero. Click on it and hit OK.
7. Enjoy!

trae329

EL@ - Jul 9, 2010 08:25AM

THANKS =D U Solved my problem, Genius ^^

Answer

alex Mar 29, 2010 03:36PM

Wow thanks this helped me :=)

Answer

Happy Apr 4, 2010 12:17PM

yeah thank! really helped!

Answer

-4

cooliocat May 24, 2010 04:43PM

u cant change the colour on the basic theme

Answer

-4

DeeGee Jun 30, 2010 11:22AM

How to change background color on my monitor screen

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Cannot change the colors of Windows [Solved/Closed]

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