How To Change The Taskbar Color In Windows 11

With default settings, Windows 11 uses a light-colored theme. As a result, the Start menu and taskbar wear a white color by default.

If you are someone who likes to customize your operating system, you might want to change the default color of the Windows 11 taskbar as well.

Windows 11 offers several options to personalize your taskbar. One of them is the ability to show color on the taskbar.

Tip: Make Windows 11 taskbar dark/black again without enabling the dark mode.

Here is how to change the color of the taskbar in Windows 11.

NOTE 1: You cannot set different colors for Start menu and taskbar in Windows 11. As a result, when you set a color for the taskbar, the same color will be automatically applied to the Start menu as well.

Step 1: Open the Settings app. Click on Personalization on the left pane and then click Colors on the right side.

Step 2: In the Choose your mode drop-down menu, select the Custom option.

Step 3: In the drop-down menu next to the Choose your default Windows mode, select Dark. Next, select the Light option from the drop-down box next to the Choose your default app mode option. Please refer to the picture below for more clarity.

Step 4: Click on Accent color to expand the same.

Step 5: To change the color of the taskbar, you need to configure Windows 11 to show accent color on the taskbar. By default, Windows 11 does not show accent color on the Start and taskbar.

To do that, turn on the Show accent color on Start and taskbar option. The current accent color should now appear on the taskbar and Start menu. If you want to change the color to something else, you have to follow the next step as well.

Troubleshooting: If the Show accent color on Start and taskbar is greyed out, it’s likely because you have not set the correct Windows and app modes. Please refer to the directions in Step 2 & Step 3 to enable the option.

Step 6: Next, if you would like to change the color, select the Manual option from the drop-down menu next to the Accent color (on the same as shown in the picture below) and then click on a color tile to apply the color. If you want to set a color other than the one on the list, click on the View colors button, play with the color mixer and select a color of your choice.

Finally, click on the Done button.

NOTE 2: Ensure that the Accent color is set to Manual (refer to the picture above). If you set it to Automatic, Windows 11 will automatically choose a color to match the current desktop background/wallpaper. If you want to set a color of your choice, you must select the Manual option.

Tip: You can use the Windows + S hotkey to open the search flyout quickly.

How to show color on title bars and window borders in Windows 11 guide might also interest you.