Tech Support > Microsoft Windows > Customizing > How can I use a different "color scheme" (in WinXP) ?
How can I use a different "color scheme" (in WinXP) ?
Posted by ship on April 14th, 2008


Hi

How can I get my WindowsXP to use a different "Color Scheme" ?

I have been forced to change from "Windows Classic Style" to "Windows
XP Style" (in order to get the orange mark on Todays's date in the
Monthly Calendar view in ms Outlook2003).

But I HATE the default overly-blue colours that Windows XP Style
defaults to.
I have tried the two other colour schemes that come with WindowXP
(i.e. Silver and Olive Green) but how can I get a new/different colour
scheme uploaded?

I do not want to install any 3rd party applications, for security
reasons.


Ship
Shiperton Henethe

P.S. It looks like you can "download schemes" (*.cs) but how do you
get WinXP to find them?

Posted by Leonard Grey on April 14th, 2008


There are no other color schemes supported by Microsoft. However, the
MCE theme (darker blue) and the Zune theme (black) will work with
Windows XP.

---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

ship wrote:

Posted by ship on April 14th, 2008



Forgive me but is "Theme" the same thing as "Color Scheme" ?


Ship



Posted by ship on April 14th, 2008




Thanks - I just tried them both.
The MCE theme is still far too intense for me.
And Zune is VERY black.

What happens if I install someone else's theme(s) - is there a
downside?


Ship





Posted by Leonard Grey on April 14th, 2008


Actually, they are different. A theme is all-inclusive so, for example,
it can include a desktop background, fonts, icons, color scheme,
screensaver, etc. You don't have to actually use all parts of a theme. I
use parts of the MCE theme on my copy of Windows XP Home.

---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

ship wrote:

Posted by Leonard Grey on April 14th, 2008


If third-party software is not compatible with Windows, only the third
party is in a position to help you. Regarding themes and other interface
updates: Many are known to contain malware. Caveat emptor.

---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

ship wrote:

Posted by ship on April 14th, 2008


Caveat emptor, indeed.


I tried Zune and Royale (again) but they both fail to highlight
Today's date in Outlook Calendar (in Month view)
So they are both no good to me

But how can I change WindowXP colours?
e.g If I then go: Right-click on desktop ==> Properties ==>
Appearance
If I choose "Windows XP style", and then click on "Advanced" and then
change
the "Active Title Bar" to Green, click OK.
And then "Apply" on the Display Properties dialogue box, how come the
Active Title Bar doesnt change colour? (!)

Or is it simply not possible to change Windows XP colours like that?



Ship







Posted by Leonard Grey on April 14th, 2008


A Windows theme or color scheme will not highlight the day in Outlook.
If that's what you want to do, ask in an Outlook newsgroup.

---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

ship wrote:

Posted by ship on April 16th, 2008



Sorry Leonard, but you are incorrect on this matter.
Outlook does in fact use system colours to control the highlighting of
today's date
and there is no way of changing this from within Outlook(2003) /WinXP.

Hence themes/color schemes are the ONLY way of changing the
highlighting
of the day.


Ship
Shiperton Henethe




Posted by Dan on May 15th, 2008




"Leonard Grey" wrote:

Posted by Dan on May 15th, 2008


hi, where can i get the mce theme?

"ship" wrote:

Posted by Larry Webb on June 1st, 2008


Where can you get the MCE theme?

Here's a hint... Google it...

L.W.

Dan wrote: