Setting custom windows background color in Windows 8.1 doesn't work

I am using Windows 8.1 and I understand that I can no longer set a custom windows background color through the UI (as you could in Windows 7). But there is this registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors -> Window

I'm supposed to be able to change the RGB value in that key as needed. So I changed it to my bgcolor of choice, rebooted, and I still have white windows everywhere. Am I doing something wrong?

Answer

Since Windows 8.0, colors are NOT changeable like they used to be. (Active Title, Inactive Title, Window Text, Window, Control Text, Control, ...)

So the change you did has no effect.

If you need custom window color due to health issues so you are OK with some spartan appearence, then switch your color scheme to High Contrast and customize the colors there. Unlike in normal color schemes, colors in High Contrast are completely customizable and Windows obeys them. On the other hand, visual user experience is limited.

Once you have selected High Contrast color scheme, you can switch to normal and back using Alt+Shift+PrintScreen.

How to customize colors in High Contrast:

1. Switch to desired High Contrast mode (colors must change)


2. Click Color link below the list:
   

To prevent eye problems caused by high contrast I strongly recommend to decrease default color contrast by adding some grey (and adjusting other colors accordingly). Here's what I mean:

• there is one additional color you can set: desktop background color. To change it, click Desktop Background link visible on the first image.