Need beginner guide for changing taskbar color

[jeremynpross]

I have Windows Style Builder & I want to change the Win 7 build 7601 Basic (not Aero) taskbar to dark gray. Every guide I have followed fails. Most are from before 2011 and for earlier Win 7 builds. The middle background stays grey. Can you point me to a correct method? I must be doing something wrong. I want to know the correct locations to change. They seem to vary slightly from guide to guide. I also need a video on how to change color in each PNG i.e. when there are multiple color pixels, which do I color?

Here are the guides I tried to follow:
http://virtualcustoms.net/showthread.php/28810-Complete-Guide-to-Theme-Building
http://virtualcustoms.net/showthread.php/40252-A-Quick-Look-at-Taskbar-Editing?
http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/167361-how-change-taskbar-color-theme.html
https://www.vistastylebuilder.com/forum/index.php?topic=1148.0
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4315-taskbar-customize-skin.html

[Mr GRiM]

I have Windows Style Builder & I want to change the Win 7 build 7601 Basic (not Aero) taskbar to dark gray. Every guide I have followed fails. Most are from before 2011 and for earlier Win 7 builds. The middle background stays grey. Can you point me to a correct method? I must be doing something wrong. I want to know the correct locations to change. They seem to vary slightly from guide to guide. I also need a video on how to change color in each PNG i.e. when there are multiple color pixels, which do I color?

Here are the guides I tried to follow:
http://virtualcustoms.net/showthread.php/28810-Complete-Guide-to-Theme-Building
http://virtualcustoms.net/showthread.php/40252-A-Quick-Look-at-Taskbar-Editing?
http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/167361-how-change-taskbar-color-theme.html
https://www.vistastylebuilder.com/forum/index.php?topic=1148.0
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4315-taskbar-customize-skin.html

The middle of the taskbar is known as the taskband and for basic you will need to change these images:

Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > BackgroundBottom
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > BackgroundTop
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > BackgroundLeft
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > BackgroundRight

[jeremynpross]

Thanks, Mr. Grim. Actually, I had already replaced the Taskband images you cited. I double-checked, replaced again and no joy. It didn't work.

I have been using PNGs exported from Cryer's Windows 7 Basic Black, which has the black taskbar in Basic mode that I want..

Here is my source file:
http://cryer.deviantart.com/art/Windows-7-Basic-Black-166606584

Are the PNGs in Cryer's file defectiive? Do I need to export from a better black theme? This Steam theme has a grey that I like even better than black and may be better made than Cryer's:

http://yorgash.deviantart.com/art/Steam-VS-for-Windows-7-449032822

FYI, I haven't recolored any PNGs myself (although I am OK with Photoshop CS5) because I don't know what steps to perform. If I am to make my own, is there a video guide you know of? I know that I need to learn at least what color should be applied to which pixels in a PNG with various tones and how big the new PNG files should be (original size or larger) ?

One final thought...is it possible the taskband inherits properties from another area that I haven't changed?

[jeremynpross]

Also, can you tell me how to make Export All Properties Under the tree work is WSB so could simply grab all the taskbar properties from a style I like and apply them at once? Tis would save hours and ensure I didn'y miss a property or apply it incorrectly.

[Shemhamforash]

Also, can you tell me how to make Export All Properties Under the tree work is WSB so could simply grab all the taskbar properties from a style I like and apply them at once? Tis would save hours and ensure I didn'y miss a property or apply it incorrectly.
You need to export all properties and then export and save that as a style hack to import into the theme you want that element in. If it's not working, try exporting less properties per style hack. Another option is to open up a second instance of WSB and open the theme you want to copy settings from and copy the same settings manually into your other theme using your other instance of WSB.

[Shemhamforash]

Thanks, Mr. Grim. Actually, I had already replaced the Taskband images you cited. I double-checked, replaced again and no joy. It didn't work.
One final thought...is it possible the taskband inherits properties from another area that I haven't changed?

74303

The locations Mr GRiM listed do in fact work. I'll add that to get the entire tasbar desaturated and not just the middle you will have to change the same named images mentioned by Mr GRiM in the location Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBar > Basic > TaskBar

1. Copy aero default theme to a new location
2. Untick enable desktop composition in Performance Options dialog
3. Open default theme in WSB, entered testing mode and export images:
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > BackgroundBottom
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > BackgroundTop
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > BackgroundLeft
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBand > Basic > TaskBand > BackgroundRight
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBar > Basic > TaskBar > BackgroundBottom
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBar > Basic > TaskBar > BackgroundRight
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBar > Basic > TaskBar > BackgroundTop
Taskbar & System Tray > TaskBar > Basic > TaskBar > BackgroundLeft

Optional:
Windows & Caption Buttons > Basic > Controls > Captions > Window
Windows & Caption Buttons > Basic > Frames

4. Desaturate images and reimport them, refresh Testing Mode, save theme
5. Using Always Combine taskbar settings, the taskbar is desaturated