Windows 7: Change Colour Contrast

There are two ways you can use the Windows 7 Operating System to change how colours will appear on the screen.

1. Change the colours with Personalization panel

The Windows 7 “Personalization” panel contains 6 basic and high contrast colour schemes. Each of these will change the way all content, including web pages will be presented on the screen.

Step 1: To get to the “Personalization” panel, Right Mouse click anywhere on the desktop and select “Personalize” from the menu. If you are not able to do this use the “Ease of Access Center”:

• Press Windows key + U to open the “Ease of Access Center”
• Go to the “Explore all settings” part of the page and click on “Make the computer easier to see”.
• Scroll down to the “Make things on the screen easier to see” section and click on the “Fine tune display effects” link. (Or you can press Alt + C)

Step 2: On the “Personalization” panel, go to the “Basic and High Contrast Themes” section.

Step 3: Click on one of the images of different screen colours. The appearance of the screen will change to match that selected. If this is not easier to read, try one of the other themes.

NOTE:  You can customize your own colours by clicking the “Window Color” icon at the bottom of the “Personalization” panel.

Step 4: When you have you have a colour combination that is easier to read, close the “Personalization” panel and close the “Ease of Access Center”.

2. Keyboard shortcut to turn on high contrast

A keyboard shortcut is a quick way to turn on the Windows 7 “Ease of Access Center” high contrast colour theme.

• Press ALT + left SHFT + PRINT SCREEN (PrtScn) to open the “High Contrast” pop up
• Click “OK” and the colours of the screen will change.
• To turn high contrast off, press ALT + left SHFT + PRINT SCREEN (PrtScn)