Windows uses blue color to highlight selected text. You can change it if needed. Here is how to change the highlight color in Windows OS.
When you select something in Windows, it uses a default color to highlight it. As you know, for many years, the default highlight color has been Blue. For example, if you select text in the File Explorer, it is highlighted with the blue background color. That way, you will know what’s emphasized and what’s not.
Generally, the blue highlight color is fine for most people. In fact, it is the OG color and goes well with almost any Windows theme. After all, we got used to that color. However, if you think the blue color is outdated, not that great to look at or make the highlight color in line with your current theme, you can change the highlight color in Windows.
As long as you know what color to set and have the required RGB values, you can easily change the text highlight color in Windows.
So, let me show you the steps to change the highlight color in the Windows operating system.
Important note: The steps below work in Windows 8, 10, and 11.
Change highlight color in Windows
There are two significant steps to change the highlight color in Windows. First, we need the RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) value of the color of your choice. Once you have it, we must edit the registry to add the said color. It doesn’t sound straightforward, but it is pretty easy to follow. Let me show you how.
First, we need the RGB value of your favorite color. You can get it using the Paint app. Alternatively, you can use a third-party web service like W3Schools — https://www.w3schools.com/colors/colors_picker.asp
Open the Paint application from the Start menu. Next, click on the “Edit Colors” option.
Now, use the color picker to pick the color of your choice. Next, note down the “RGB” values of the color. In my case, I’m selecting the light blueish or purple color. So, my RGB value is “138, 116, 240.”
Once you have the RGB value, follow the below steps.
- Open the Start menu.
- Search and open “Registry Editor.”
- Go to the “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors” folder.
- Double-click on the “HilightText” string.
- Type the RGB value in the “Value data” field.
- Press the “Ok” button.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Reboot the computer.
As always, you can open the Registry Editor from the Start menu. You can also use the “regedit” run command.
Go to the “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors” folder on the Registry Editor’s sidebar. Here, find and double-click on the “HilightText” string value.
This is the value that is responsible for showing text highlight color in Windows. Type the RGB value you got earlier in the “Value Data” field. Make sure there is a space between each value. For example, I typed the RGB value as “138 116 240” in the Value Data field.
Click the “Ok” button to save the changes and close the Registry Editor. Next, reboot Windows to apply the changes.
After rebooting, you will see the new text highlight color in action.
That is all. It is that simple to change the highlight color in Windows.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
