Solved Change taskbar opacity

RandomUsername

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Hello,

Let's get straight to my question: Is it possible to change the opacity of the taskbar? I just think it's weird that it looks different than the window borders. Please help :p

RandomUsername
 

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  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
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    MSI R7850
The only thing I know for the moment is that the taskbar transparency can be disabled by using AeroLite instead of Aero.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
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    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
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    16GB
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    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
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    That's basically it.
Win 8 doesn't have Aero. Just the taskbar is transparent.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom/Self-built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3750K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R7850
My point is already proven.

I use AeroLite to DISABLE the taskbar transparency.
I also found it weird that it looks different than the window borders so this is a quick fix.
But no way to have other opacity settings because they removed it from the GUI.

Win 8 doesn't have Aero. Just the taskbar is transparent.
Do you know what AeroLite is?
It's the theme not used by default by our Win8 system.
You have to add it manually to a theme to see the difference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Care to give me a link or something?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom/Self-built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3750K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R7850
Kein Problem.

The theme is included in windows and you just have to follow the next steps in order to use it.

1.First you go and apply a theme you like from your list
example:
1.png
Select "save theme for sharing" some place you can browse to.

2.Go the that folder and extract the saved theme package with 7-Zip (maybe some other archivers also work, but this one is certain):
2.png

3.Inside there (the extracted) you see a theme file:
3.png
4.Open or edit it with a Notepad editor:
4.png
Only thing to do is search for "Aero.msstyles" (1x found) and replace it with "AeroLite.msstyles"
Save the file.

5.Double click on the modified theme file and you will get AeroLite enabled.
5.png

Configurations, now you can put any backgrounds to it, change color settings and save new themes based on the new settings.
The taskbar will not be transparent anymore, just like the window borders.

Now that you run AeroLite, extra text-color customizations can be applied.

That's it.

Hopachi
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Thank you, but I'd still like to know how to change the colors of the taskbar fonts and of the _ [] X buttons etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom/Self-built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3750K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R7850
Did it worked? Otherwise there's no need for a sequel...:)

Thank you, but I'd still like to know how to change the colors of the taskbar fonts and of the _ [] X buttons etc.

Good question. You just gave me some extra ideas...

I don't have taskbar fonts. You must be using a "never combine" classic look mode.:busted:

I can give you an answer but it will not be too accurate because I didn't tested all parameters myself.

The
cannot be changed only in High Contrast mode of AeroLite.

With time, I'll tweak up some good themes I like but for now I can provide you an example (experimental) theme with the window buttons and text in red color. This is based on high contrast mode and looks uglier than AeroLite normal mode.

Example Preview:
theme.png
Too white, I know. But all backgrounds can be changed. (to do that export a modified hi-contrast theme and look into it).
I want this effect on normal mode but it's not working yet. When you export a normal *.theme and look into it you'll see the difference between that and what I provided here (this uses HiContrastMode 3).

Without this line, there's no way to change all colors, I'm still a newbie with this theming stuff:
Code:
[VisualStyles]
HighContrast=3

Still looking in the theme parameters.

To test it yourself, see attachment.
I'm done for today.:sleepy:
The important thing is that it works.

Sorry for the code stuff, especially if you're unfamiliar with it.
 

Attachments

  • red-text-experimental.zip
    1 KB · Views: 359

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
This is based on high contrast mode and looks uglier than AeroLite normal mode.

That's why I don't like high contrast mode. I guess I'll just keep using AeroLite and not bother with changing any font colors.

Vielen Dank für die Erleuchtung! :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom/Self-built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3750K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R7850
This is based on high contrast mode and looks uglier than AeroLite normal mode.

That's why I don't like high contrast mode. I guess I'll just keep using AeroLite and not bother with changing any font colors.

Vielen Dank für die Erleuchtung! :D

You're welcome.:)

Yes I'm also going for AeroLite. At least we have title colors and no transparency. The only thing that's needs to be found is taskbar (clock) text color.

In begin I thought nothing was customisable in Win8 but I'm glad at least SOMETHING is.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
As an addition to this, here is a theme I'm currently using.

All color parameters that can be modified are included (see *.theme file).
I didn't modified much, just turned some whites a bit grayer.
 

Attachments

  • Darker_AeroLite.zip
    443 KB · Views: 561

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
I found this thread to solve the opaque taskbar.
And after doing the "save them for sharing" and update method, i started looking around.
After poking around in my system, I found that the themes are saved in
C:\Users\YOUR_ID\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes

So here is my shortcut.
Create a theme and set it up the way you want it via the Personalization (Window + I , Personalization).
Save it with a name you want... "MyTheme".
Edit the C:\Users\YOUR_ID\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\MyTheme.theme file.
Change the Aero.msstyles to AeroLite.msstyles.
In the Personalization, click on a different theme.
Then click on MyTheme to load it.

End result is the same, just this way there is not another .deskthemepack to manage/delete
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E6430
    CPU
    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3540M CPU @ 3.00GHz, 3001 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16G
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    ie, firefox
    Antivirus
    McAfee
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