How to Show or Hide Accent Color on Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 11
Accent color on Start menu and taskbar in Windows 11 lets you splash your favorite shade across the main navigation areas instead of keeping them plain dark or light gray. An accent color is the highlight tone Windows uses to make buttons, icons, and menus stand out.
You need to use Dark mode or Custom mode for this trick to work because Light mode hides accent colors on these parts of the screen. Open the Windows 11 Personalization settings to turn on this feature in a few clicks.
Open Settings by pressing Win+I. Navigate to Personalization, then Colors. Find and toggle the “Show accent color on Start and taskbar” option to On or Off. This setting requires Dark or Custom mode to be enabled.
How to Turn Accent Color On or Off
- Press Win+I to open Settings .
- Click Personalization in the left menu.
- Click Colors on the right side.
- Find the option called Show accent color on Start and taskbar.
- Turn it On or Off based on what you want.
Turning on the Windows 11 accent color makes your Start menu and taskbar match your chosen theme color instead of staying plain dark or light gray. You can easily switch this feature on or off inside the main Windows settings menu without needing any extra software. This quick change applies your theme color across the bottom taskbar and the Start menu pop-up instantly.
Switching to Dark or Custom mode brings back access to the toggle.
How to Change Accent Color Using the Registry (Advanced)
Modifying your Windows 11 accent color through the Registry Editor lets advanced users enforce color settings via system databases rather than the standard app interface. Registry Editor is a powerful tool that holds core operating system instructions, so you must back up your files before making any adjustments to prevent crashes. This method works well if you want to script changes or manage settings across multiple local user accounts.
Back up your registry before changing any values, since mistakes can cause system instability.
Launch the Windows Terminal app with administrator privileges and execute the appropriate command below. %%FLAG_ADMIN%%
Turn On Accent Color on Start Menu and Taskbar
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize" /v ColorPrevalence /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /fTurn On Accent Color Only on Taskbar (Not Start Menu)
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize" /v ColorPrevalence /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /fTurn Off Accent Color (Default Setting)
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize" /v ColorPrevalence /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /fSummary
Windows 11 accent color settings let you customize the look of your desktop interface by applying your favorite hue to the taskbar and Start menu. These color choices only appear when your system is set to Dark or Custom mode, giving you a sharp contrast against standard light backgrounds. You can control these visual tweaks easily through the built-in Settings app or the advanced Registry Editor.- Windows 11 has three color modes: Dark, Light, and Custom.
- Accent color works on the Start menu and taskbar only with Dark or Custom mode.
- You can change this setting easily in Settings.
- Advanced users can also use the Registry Editor to make changes.
- Try different colors and modes to make your PC look the way you want.
How to change accent color in 🪟 Windows 11?
Changing accent colors starts by opening the Settings app, heading to Personalization, and selecting Colors. Windows can select a matching hue automatically from the desktop background, or manual selection allows picking a specific shade by choosing 'Automatic'.
How do I turn off accent color in 🪟 Windows 11?
Stopping accent colors from shifting alongside mode changes requires adjusting theme parameters under Settings Personalization Colors. Locating the Accent color section, selecting "Manual", and picking a preferred shade locks in the choice.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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