# User defined Windows colors in XP

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/user-defined-windows-colors-in-xp/215226>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 25, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/user-defined-windows-colors-in-xp/215226 "2003-11-25T18:45:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/user-defined-windows-colors-in-xp/215226/1 "2003-11-25T18:45:53Z")

</div>

I can’t believe I’m posting this but I’m stumped. For years I’ve changed the windows colors to match my own preference. (Active windows with green border for one).

Anyway, along comes XP, I seem to be able to set up a theme, but I can’t find anyway to “invoke” it.

I don’t want Classic Windows look, I want the new gaudy scheme, just with my choice of window borders.

Can or cannot this be done?

If so, what dopey thing am I overlooking?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/user-defined-windows-colors-in-xp/215226/2 "2003-11-25T19:49:55Z")

</div>

Try Display Properties\>Appearance\>Advanced Tab and see if that is what you are looking for.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/user-defined-windows-colors-in-xp/215226/3 "2003-11-25T19:49:55Z")

</div>

Try Display Properties\>Appearance\>Advanced Tab and see if that is what you are looking for.