Classic Shell: Forum

OS Version: Windows 8.1 RTM
Classic Shell Version: RC 3.9.5
Classic Shell Theme: Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 (separately downloaded from this forum)
Description: When selecting a window border color, Classic Shell has trouble matching the color of the window borders and taskbar. This has been mentioned in previous threads and another 8.1 specific theme was created with custom settings to help resolve. Even with those suggestions, it still can't match the color correctly. This is especially true when the color intensity is set to its lowest value - Classic Shell Start Menu becomes dark gray, regardless of the color chosen.


Of the other Start menu replacements I've used, they all seem to match the color quite easily. Other than that, I have high praise for Classic Shell.

Thanks

If you are using the unofficial Windows 8.1 skin, then in Classic Shell's settings, first switch to it from the skin tab, then set the Glass Intensity to 100 and Color Blending to 75. That will make the menu look closer to the Taskbar color. To adjust the hue, saturation, brightness and intensity, use the "Color and Appearance" Windows Control Panel. That will also adjust the Start Menu's color.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Please test using the color intensity slider in Windows Color and Appearance. I think you'll find that lowering the value causes the menu to get further and further from the actual color. This is true even when using the unofficial 8.1 theme and your recommended settings.

Do you think an official 8.1 specific theme and settings will ship with the 4.0 final?

Thanks

Unlikely. I find the text on the transparent taskbar hard to read. I want the menu to be easy to read. So by definition it can't be as transparent as the taskbar.

Ah you're right. Because the intensity is overridden in Menu Settings, reducing the intensity from the Windows Color and Appearance Control Panel doesn't have any effect on the menu. You could try reducing the Saturation slider to have the same effect.

It's a mighty challenge to produce a skin now with the taskbar going overly transparent in Windows 8.1. Readability must be maintained but still the color must be matched.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.