Spice Up Your Desktop: Adding Custom Color Schemes to Windows 3.x
Remember the classic look of Windows 3.x? While it may seem limited by today's standards, there's a hidden gem that lets you personalize your experience: custom color schemes!
This post dives into adding some flair to your Windows 3.x environment by creating and using custom color schemes. Buckle up, and get ready to unleash your inner designer!
Before We Begin:
- These color schemes require editing an INI file. If you're unfamiliar with editing configuration files, proceed with caution and have a backup handy.
- These schemes are designed for 16-color modes. While some video cards support higher color depths, these schemes may not translate perfectly.
The Magic of the INI File:
The secret lies within the WIN.INI file, located in your Windows directory (usually C:\WINDOWS). This file stores various system settings, including color configurations.
Creating Your Palette:
Here's where the fun begins! We'll define color schemes using a series of lines within the [windows] section of your WIN.INI file. Each line will follow this format:
- colorname is a descriptive name for the color (e.g., WindowText, ButtonFace). Refer to your Windows 3.x documentation for a complete list of color names.
- RRggbb is the hexadecimal code for the desired color. You can find a color picker online or use software like MS Paint to get the exact hex code for your chosen colors.
Ready-Made Schemes to Get You Started:
Feeling uninspired? No worries! Here are a few pre-made schemes to get you started. Simply copy and paste these lines into the [windows] section of your WIN.INI file:
Windows Custom=FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF,0,FF0000,A00000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,808080,0,C0C0C0,FF0000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Designa=808040,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF,0,808000,808040,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,F0FBFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,808080,0,828282,808000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Dark Mode=343434,343434,0,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF,FF0000,A00000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,0,0,808080,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,800000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Corporate=FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,808080,FFFFFF,0,800040,808080,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,808080,808080,C0C0C0,808080,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,828282,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Eminence=FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,808080,FFFFFF,40FF00,C0C0C0,0,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,808080,0,404000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FF00,0,0,40FF00
Summer of Love=BFBF80,E8FFFF,FFFFFF,0,C0C0C0,FFFFFF,828282,0,FFFFFF,FF0080,FF0080,0,0,C0C0C0,808080,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,0,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Panchromatica=FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF,0,808080,C0C0C0,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,808080,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,808080,0,808080,808080,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Shamrock (VGA16)=FFFF,FF80,8000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,0,4000,FFFFFF,8000,8000,0,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,808080,0,808080,0,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Shamrock (SVGA256)=BFBF80,FFFFFF,C0DCC0,0,FFFFFF,0,408000,404000,FFFFFF,FF80,8000,808080,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,808080,0,808080,8000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Lipstick (VGA16)=0,FFFFFF,80,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,400080,40,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,0,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,808080,0,808080,0,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Lipstick (SVGA256)=400080,FFFFFF,F0FBFF,0,FFFFFF,0,400080,400040,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,808080,0,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Devil=FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF,0,8000FF,C0C0C0,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,808080,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,808080,0,808080,808080,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF
Eminence=FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,808080,FFFFFF,40FF00,C0C0C0,0,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,808080,0,404000,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FF00,0,0,40FF00
De La Creme=E8FFFF,80FFFF,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF,0,8080,E8FFFF,FFFFFF,0,0,808080,FFFFFF,8080,808080,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,8080,FFFFFF,0,E8FFFF
GloFresh=FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF,0,0,0,FFFFFF,40FF00,40FF00,0,C0C0C0,C0C0C0,808080,0,808080,0,FFFFFF,C0C0C0,FFFFFF
TriChrome=FFFFFF,FFFFFF,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF,0,0,E9FFBB,FFFFFF,0,0,FFFFFF,808080,C0C0C0,808080,0,808080,828282,FFFFFF,0,FFFFFF
