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Changing the color of WMP12 library. That faint blue hurts my head.

Anonymous
2011-04-02T16:12:42+00:00

Ok, I've read all the **** about "It's not in the design" (A very stupid change in my opinion) But I refuse to believe that Microsoft did not program some sort of color or background change option. I have a lot of music, I work with music all day at work, but this icy blue library has been giving me migraines. WMP12 has some improvements that I appreciate, but I can't stand these headaches. I'm close to reverting back to WMP11. What are my options?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-04-03T17:00:20+00:00

    Hi,

    In the WMP 12, it is by design set to blue color, however you can follow the below steps to check if it helps.

    Before editing the registry, please take the backup of registry incase if the steps goes wrong, you can restore it to the previous settings.

    To back up the registry, follow the below link.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Back-up-the-registry

    a)      Go to start search and type “regedit” without quotes.

    b)      Navigate to the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences

    c)      In the right registry value pane, locate the REG_DWORD (DWORD 32-bit) registry entry named LibraryBackgroundImage.

    d)     The default value data for LibraryBackgroundImage is 6. Modify the value data to other number to change the WMP12 Library background image.

    e)      Exit from Registry Editor and restart Windows Media Player for new background image to take effect.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-04-18T12:56:53+00:00

    Question asked is about the annoying blue colour, not background font. All values 0 to 7 is rubbish. Ignore regedit advice here, it has nothing to do with the colour. Please ppl read the question properly.

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-07T18:28:55+00:00

    You can / will need to apply a new skin to WMP 12, many people prefer WMP 11 black skin which Microsoft so thoughtfully removed. I know this is a couple years late, but someone else will have this same problem. I see hundreds of complaints about Microsoft's lack of customization in WMP and not listening to their customers. Most have stopped coming to this site as it is rarely helpful.

    You can get several skins from places like: http://pcgod1.deviantart.com/art/WMP-12-Skin-BlackandRed-194997376 just Google for skins in your version. The image files for WMP are stored in wmploc.dll files, there are two of these in Win 7 64 bit. Both will need edited to match. You will need a program to open and edit them, but easier to just replace them while saving the originals with a different name in case something goes wrong.

     Here is a good one with one flaw, the font color is a bit too dark in some places. This page includes instruction links on how to edit, modify and apply a new skin. (Since Microsoft won't)

    http://forum.mintywhite.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=4020&view=previous

    Good luck I hope this helps.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2011-04-18T15:47:59+00:00

    A user actually standing up for themselves and telling the volunteers to actually read the damn question? Good for you! Never thought I'd see that. You sir/madam, have made my day. Thank you. (This may or may not sound sarcastic, but I'm being serious here, nice job.)

    Now then, megmegmeg, by "icy blue" background do you mean this?

    http://www.orzeszek.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/windows-media-player.png

    Knowing microsoft they wouldn't include a way to change that background, however that looks like an actual image, not just the color blue, so it may be possible to find the image where the background comes from, and edit that to something that doesn't give you headaches.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2011-04-18T16:56:19+00:00

    If the blue is annoying then the background image 0 [set by using Imran's procedure] is probably the best choice for you as it sets the background to white [actually to no image at all].  All the others also use blue shading albeit in different patterns [value 1 uses a slightly easier shade of blue mixed with areas of white so you might like that as well].

    None of these values alter the font, just the background image.

    Please don't be put off by the different responses you've received.  This is a peer-to-peer mutual support forum where users ask questions and users answer questions - differences of opinion are not uncommon.

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