[How To] Change Windows 10 Inactive Title Bar Color

By default, Windows 10 show white color on title bar of inactive windows. Here's how to change Windows 10 inactive title bar color.

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
2 min read
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In Windows 10, you can opt to show accent color on title bar, taskbar and Start Menu. However, the accent color is shown on title bar only when it is active. This means that title bar for inactive window doesn’t show accent color. Instead the inactive window title bar show white color (refer screenshot below).

How To Change Windows 10 Inactive Title Bar Color

If you like to show the accent color on inactive window title bar as well, this article is for you. Microsoft has added the ability to change inactive window title bar color in Windows 10 V1511 or later. You can perform the below mentioned registry manipulation and enable accent or any other color of your choice on inactive window title bar in Windows 10.

How To Change Windows 10 Inactive Title Bar Color

Registry Disclaimer: The further steps will involve registry manipulation. Making mistakes while manipulating registry could affect your system adversely. So be careful while editing registry entries and create a System Restore point first.

1. Press W8K + R and put regedit in Run dialog box to open Registry Editor (if you’re not familiar with Registry Editor, then click here). Click OK.

Windows 10 Registry Editor

2. In left pane of Registry Editor window, navigate to following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM

How To Change Windows 10 Inactive Title Bar Color

3. Now in the right pane of DWM registry key, right click and select New > DWORD Value. Name the newly created registry DWORD (REG_DWORD) as AccentColorInactive. Double click on the DWORD to modify its Value data:

How To Change Windows 10 Inactive Title Bar Color

4. Use the Value data same as AccentColor registry DWORD‘s Value data. You’re free here to use any color’s hexadecimal code. After typing your desired color’s hexadecimal code as Value data, click OK and close Registry Editor.

You’ll find that inactive window title bar is now colored instead of white. Reboot, if you don’t see the registry changes aren’t effective immediately.

How To Change Windows 10 Inactive Title Bar Color

That’s it!

Also read: How to force Windows for specific accent & background color.

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Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

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