Vista - Vista Taskbar now a light gray

Yeah, unfortunately this isn't something that can be fixed on the screen that includes adjustment for color intensity.

When a window is maximized (from any program), the taskbar looks like this (and the title bar and sides too):

Black:


This black look is what I like. It works well with all of my programs and skinable applications.


When there are no windows open (just blank desktop) or when windows are minimized or restored (not maximized), I get this gray "charcoal" theme, which I do not like:

Gray:


This switch in color happens every time I change from maximized window to non-maximized, regardless of settings of the color intensity and regardless of what program I'm using.

If at all possible, I would really like to just keep it black and not see the gray theme at all.

Hello swingdjted, welcome to Vista forums!

About the only way to accomplish what you seek would be to disable Aero. Have a look at the tutorial at the link below.

Aero Glass Transparency

Keep us informed!











Later Ted

Disabling Aero sadly keeps it always gray instead of always black.

I guess I have to either just deal with it or go with third party skinning.

Hello again.

Sorry that didn't work for you; but thanks for posting back with the outcome.

If you find a program that does work for you be sure and let us know.














Later Ted

I did not even notice this gray/black taskbar until now.

Well, my HP is 5 wk old , still with hardly unchanged default settings (the only change I have done is startup program trimming for quicker start/reboot).

Now, I have become fully aware that taskbar is gray if only one down-sized window is running which is contrasted in dark bar. With full screen sized solo window running, taskbar is black and window is blended in black bar with bright white fonts. No big deal....until you multi-task. Check this out!!!

With multiple running windows, this gray/black transformation proves to be evidently a smart (albeit, nuanced) VISTA feature. When windows are all down-sized, taskbar is gray and only front window is contrasted in black bar that makes white fonts brighter, while all background windows are blended in separate individual gray bar that makes fonts less bright. When one or more windows are full screen sized and one or more are not, taskbar turns black with all background windows in contrasting gray bars with less bright fonts while front window is blended in dark bar with brighter fonts.

Furthermore, when "switch between windows" feature is activated (quick launch)to cascade all running w's (in 3D), taskbar is black and all windows are contrasted in gray bars with faded fonts.

I am convinced it is a very smart default setting. I would not change it a bit for the world.

I also have this problem... I wonder if any of you still have the same problem or found any solutions for this? Thanks.

Hi,
I had the same problem, and had found out the culpret.

I recently install Nero and found out by using windows defender to close all startup programs down, then rebooting to see if that fixed the problem.

Yes after quite a few reboots I found it to be Nero's InCD that caused the conflict, Simply disable it and that I'm sure will fix your problem.
If you dont have nero installed it could be a conflicting program, do as above until you find the offending program.

By the way if you have Nero installed and find it to be your problem, please email nero and ask for a fix, as they wont do anything untill the have several complaints,

Hope that help you Rob

For me though.. it was the Google Sidebar that came installed with my Dell Laptop.
I uninstalled it and turned gray, but when I reinstalled it.. turned back to normal black.
Disabling this Sidebar will make it gray as well... it has to be on desktop.
But I hate Google Sidebar.. so no idea what else I should do to fix.

I think I have found the solution. Disabling Aero itself doesnt help, that's when we get the pale grey color.
Instead, we have to reset the Windows Vista Basic color scheme.
Here is how to do it:

1. Go to Personalization
2. Windows Color and Appearance
3. Click on "Open classic appearance properties for more color options"
4. Set the color theme to Windows Vista Basic.

Although, from now on, I have the old dialog box for the colors, haven't found a way to change it back to the new Vista style, but frankly, I don't give a damn, I just want it to be black everywhere

Oh wow..... Wow. It works! Thank you so much.

Although the windows look retarded with blue.. but oh well. At least bottom is black.