How to Show or Hide Accent Color on Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 11
Showing or hiding accent color on the Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar involves changing a setting in Personalization.
Accent color in Windows 11 is the highlight shade you choose to make parts of your screen stand out. This color can appear on your Start menu tiles and taskbar icons, personalizing your PC’s look.
For example, if you pick blue as your accent color and it’s set to show on the Start menu and taskbar, those areas will turn blue.
You can only see accent colors on these areas when using Windows 11’s Dark mode or Custom mode. Light mode does not show accent colors on the Start menu and taskbar.
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.
Showing or hiding the accent color on your Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar is possible using the Settings app. Navigate to Personalization, then Colors, and find the option to turn ‘Show accent color on Start and taskbar’ on or off.
How to Change Accent Color Using the Registry (Advanced)
You can change the Windows 11 accent color using the Registry Editor. This method requires caution because incorrect registry changes can cause system issues. Back up your registry first before proceeding with this advanced system tweak.
Open the Windows Terminal app as administrator and run one of the commands 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 offers Dark, Light, and Custom modes. Accent color adds a personal touch to the Start menu and taskbar, particularly in Dark or Custom modes. You can manage this feature in the Settings app, or for advanced users, through the 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?
To change your accent color, open the Settings app, go to Personalization, then Colors. You can let Windows pick a color automatically from your background, or you can choose one yourself. To have Windows choose, select ‘Automatic’.
How do I turn off accent color in 🪟 Windows 11?
To prevent the accent color from changing every time you select a mode, you may need to adjust the mode (dark, light, or custom) under Settings > Personalization > Colors. Next, choose “Manual” under Accent color and select your desired color.
Was this guide helpful?
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.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!