Vista Taskbar now a light gray

McCheesy

New Member
I am running Vista Home Premium, and when I turned on my computer, my taskbar was a light gray. I took a picture:

26851050lh8.png



If I open a full screen window (such as Firefox), my taskbar goes back to the normal black color, but if I don't have a full screen window it is that light gray color.

How can I change it back?
 

My Computer

Hi McCheesy, and welcome to the vista forums, :party:

it's a little difficult to see exactly from the image you attached but it may just be a result of the Transparency level you have set.

right click on your desktop choose Personalise, then Window colour and appearance, and adjust the intensity slider,
see if that changes things.
also check the selected colour and use transparency box
hope this helps
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest Release Preview
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 1920x1080 @50Hz
  • Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computers (Custom by Me)
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
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    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
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    Samsung 32" TV
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
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    Internal
    Crucial CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SSD,
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)
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    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Red Devil Tower
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    Hyper103 CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Internet Speed
    68 MB Down 18.5 MB Up
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    Six Sensor Auto / Manual Digital cooling (Fan) control with Touch control Panel
None returns me to the original black color. I think it might have been because I uninstalled HP Total Care Advisor. Do you know where I can find that program again?
 

My Computer

Hi,

I know that MS included an update to it's nVidia drivers this week - if you downloaded that you may want to check if the settings have changed in the advanced - nvidia control panel
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest Release Preview
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 1920x1080 @50Hz
  • Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computers (Custom by Me)
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" TV
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SSD,
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)
    NAS 4TB
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Red Devil Tower
    Cooling
    Hyper103 CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Internet Speed
    68 MB Down 18.5 MB Up
    Other Info
    Six Sensor Auto / Manual Digital cooling (Fan) control with Touch control Panel

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest Release Preview
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 1920x1080 @50Hz
  • Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computers (Custom by Me)
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" TV
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SSD,
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)
    NAS 4TB
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Red Devil Tower
    Cooling
    Hyper103 CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Internet Speed
    68 MB Down 18.5 MB Up
    Other Info
    Six Sensor Auto / Manual Digital cooling (Fan) control with Touch control Panel
It's hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like it's switching to a basic theme. When you start FF it may be triggering WDM which returns the Aero-translucency theme. Maybe it's an older app on start-up that is switching off aero.

Just a thought.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
    Motherboard
    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1020A
    Cooling
    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
    Mouse
    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs:
    Clevo Sager P170HM //
    17.3 Matte 1920x1200 //
    i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz //
    Dedicated GTX 485M //
    240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray //

    Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0
Hello McCheesy, welcome to Vista forums!

You don't have a problem, that's the way mine does also.
When I don't have a window maximized it's gray, when I maximize it turns black.
Try this: with no windows maximized slide a window under the taskbar to see the transparency.
The transparency lessons when you have a window maximized!

Keep us informed!










Later :shock: Ted
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
I have the same problem: Gray taskbar when windows are either restored or minimized and black when maximized. I like the black and hate the gray (a.k.a. "graphite"). Is there a way to adjust settings so that will keep it the black style all the time? The graphite looks bad with my desktop wallpaper, but the black would look good if I could keep it that way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9550 @ 2.83GHz (4CPUs), ~2.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EP45-DS3R
    Memory
    16382MB RAM (G. Skill 800MHz 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Integrated RAMDAC 2928 MB (evga)
    Sound Card
    Onboard (optical cable used for output, 1/8 jack ins)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 275T+ (27" SPVA panel) ; Dell 17" CRT monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 plus 1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Seagate (latest as of 4-25-09) 1TB, 1.5TB, 1.5TB
    Western Digital My Book eSATA external single-drive 1TB
    iOmega PATA/IDE 120 GB (usb external)
    PSU
    Corsair 750w
    Case
    Coolermaster Stacker 810
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P processor cooler (heat sink/120mm fan)
    Keyboard
    Logitech cheap wireless keyboard/mouse combo and PS2 kybd
    Mouse
    Logitech cheap wireless keyboard/mouse combo and PS2 ball
    Internet Speed
    DSL; GoldenWest Telecommunications; 1.5MB down, 750K up
    Other Info
    Hauppauge 1800 TV card/remote (PCI - not express)
    old 4-port PCI to USB card
    Rosewill multifunction SDHC and others card reader/usb port
    Brother MFC-6490CW wireless multifunction printer
    HP deskjet 940c printer
    Lexmark x83 multifunction printer
    Linksys WUSB54GSC compact wireless-G network adaptor
    Technics SA-DA8 receiver
    Infinity SM-125 speakers
    ASUS M50V laptop
Do you have the color intensity turned up all the way
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9550 @ 2.83GHz (4CPUs), ~2.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EP45-DS3R
    Memory
    16382MB RAM (G. Skill 800MHz 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Integrated RAMDAC 2928 MB (evga)
    Sound Card
    Onboard (optical cable used for output, 1/8 jack ins)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 275T+ (27" SPVA panel) ; Dell 17" CRT monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 plus 1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Seagate (latest as of 4-25-09) 1TB, 1.5TB, 1.5TB
    Western Digital My Book eSATA external single-drive 1TB
    iOmega PATA/IDE 120 GB (usb external)
    PSU
    Corsair 750w
    Case
    Coolermaster Stacker 810
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P processor cooler (heat sink/120mm fan)
    Keyboard
    Logitech cheap wireless keyboard/mouse combo and PS2 kybd
    Mouse
    Logitech cheap wireless keyboard/mouse combo and PS2 ball
    Internet Speed
    DSL; GoldenWest Telecommunications; 1.5MB down, 750K up
    Other Info
    Hauppauge 1800 TV card/remote (PCI - not express)
    old 4-port PCI to USB card
    Rosewill multifunction SDHC and others card reader/usb port
    Brother MFC-6490CW wireless multifunction printer
    HP deskjet 940c printer
    Lexmark x83 multifunction printer
    Linksys WUSB54GSC compact wireless-G network adaptor
    Technics SA-DA8 receiver
    Infinity SM-125 speakers
    ASUS M50V laptop

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9550 @ 2.83GHz (4CPUs), ~2.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EP45-DS3R
    Memory
    16382MB RAM (G. Skill 800MHz 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Integrated RAMDAC 2928 MB (evga)
    Sound Card
    Onboard (optical cable used for output, 1/8 jack ins)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 275T+ (27" SPVA panel) ; Dell 17" CRT monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 plus 1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Seagate (latest as of 4-25-09) 1TB, 1.5TB, 1.5TB
    Western Digital My Book eSATA external single-drive 1TB
    iOmega PATA/IDE 120 GB (usb external)
    PSU
    Corsair 750w
    Case
    Coolermaster Stacker 810
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P processor cooler (heat sink/120mm fan)
    Keyboard
    Logitech cheap wireless keyboard/mouse combo and PS2 kybd
    Mouse
    Logitech cheap wireless keyboard/mouse combo and PS2 ball
    Internet Speed
    DSL; GoldenWest Telecommunications; 1.5MB down, 750K up
    Other Info
    Hauppauge 1800 TV card/remote (PCI - not express)
    old 4-port PCI to USB card
    Rosewill multifunction SDHC and others card reader/usb port
    Brother MFC-6490CW wireless multifunction printer
    HP deskjet 940c printer
    Lexmark x83 multifunction printer
    Linksys WUSB54GSC compact wireless-G network adaptor
    Technics SA-DA8 receiver
    Infinity SM-125 speakers
    ASUS M50V laptop
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 :shock: Ted
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
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.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7-1170us
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 @ 2.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Compal
    Memory
    4.096
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    289.09 GB
    Keyboard
    IBM enhanced (101-or 102) keyboard
    Mouse
    Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    cable Wireless
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
 

My Computer

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.
 

My Computer

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 :)
 

My Computer

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.

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

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

My Computer

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