Changing Background in Windows 10

**tstrebel** · 10-22-2015, 04:24 PM

I recently upgraded to Windows 10. While my version of Excel 2010 works just fine, one thing that I haven't figured out how to do is to change the default background. In Windows 7 and 8, I was able to change the registry to get the background changed from white to a light shade of gray, which is for 2 purposes. 1) I can write things in white text, and while I can see them on the screen, they won't print. 2) It is easier on the eyes when staring at the screen all day.

I was wondering if anyone on the forum knows how to change this background. I have searched several times online, and I wasn't able to do it. I can change the backgrounds and color schemes, but it isn't nearly as customizable as it was before. If anyone has any tips/tricks, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.

**Aardigspook** · 10-22-2015, 04:37 PM

You could insert a small light-grey picture in the background, using the 'Background' button (in the 'Page Setup' area of the 'Page Layout' tab - assuming it's the same in 2013 as 2010). This will then repeat as the display background for the entire sheet, but won't print (at least, it didn't appear when I just did a preview). This is only for the current file, but if you do this, then save the file as a template called 'Book.xltx' in the XLSTART folder (or whatever the equivalent is on Win10), then every file you create should have it.
Not quite what you had before, but maybe a usable workaround?

**tstrebel** · 10-22-2015, 04:40 PM

The reason I like to have the background color changed (and it goes for all windows products) is because I can also send the file, and others can't see the hidden text. They will open the file, and they will see a white background. So while this would work if I was the only one using the files, it doesn't work for the purposes I am looking for. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

**Aardigspook** · 10-22-2015, 05:07 PM

You're welcome and sorry I can't help further

(I'm on Win7). Hopefully someone else on here can help you. Good luck.

**tstrebel** · 10-23-2015, 07:02 PM

I figured it out, if anyone cares. I had to do the following steps to change the background color for all programs:

1) Click Start button
2) In the search box, type "regedit"
3) A warning will come up for User Account Control, asking if you would like to make changes to this user. Click "Yes"
4) In the Registry Editor, go to the following folder: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors
5) On the right side of the screen, there will be all of the color schematics you want to change. For the background for all programs, double-click "Window"
6) The "Data" is in RGB code. The default on my computer was "255 255 255". I went with something that was very light gray and easy on the eyes. "232 232 232" seems to work great for me, and I can still see the gridlines in Excel. Then click "OK"
7) Close out of the registry editor.
8) Restart your computer. When it restarts, all windows will have a light gray background (Word, Excel, Chrome, Powerpoint).

Hopefully this helps someone.

Tom

**newdoverman** · 10-23-2015, 07:53 PM

You shouldn't have to go into the registry if Windows 10 Control Panel has the choice for Personalization like in Windows 7 that I am sending from right now.

Go to the Control Panel, Personalization, Window Color and Appearance. Click on Window Color then click on Advanced Appearance Settings. A window like this will show up. Click where it says " Window Text in a blank area. Choose the colour that you want and that will be applied to the editing windows of your programs including Excel.
Personalization.JPG

Windows Color.JPG

Colour and Appearance.JPG

**newdoverman** · 10-24-2015, 09:01 AM

Unfortunately Windows 10 Control Panel is sadly lacking the ability to change the program window background colours.. It seems that when the change is complete to Windows 10 after a month, the Control Panel also changes. This leaves registry changes as the only alternative as far as I have been able to find out this morning.