Change Windows 8 Start Screen Green Background to Purple, Black or Blue

Recently we told you how to customize Windows 8 Developer Preview Start Screen green background and other Metro UI stuff in following tutorial:

How to Customize or Change Start Screen Green Background, Start Button, Tiny Start Menu and Other Metro UI Stuff in Windows 8?

Now if you don’t want to modify the system files manually but want to get rid of the green background, here is excellent news for you.

Our friend “thepanda-x” @ DA has modified the required file and uploaded it so that everyone can download and use in their Windows 8 system. This file will change the green background to purple, black or blue.

Following are previews of Purple, black and blue versions in action:

HOW TO USE:

1. First download the required file using following link:

Download Purple Version

Download Black Version

Download Blue Version

UPDATE: The developer has removed the files.

2. Now extract the ZIP file using WinZip, WinRAR or 7-Zip and run “Takeownership.bat” file.

3. Now go to “C:\Windows\System32” folder and rename “shsxs.dll” to “shsxs.dll.old” and “uxtheme.dll” to “uxtheme.dll.old“.

PS: If you face problem while renaming the files, you can try to take ownership again using any of following tutorials:

• Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows XP, Vista and 7
• [Guide] How to Take Ownership (Permission) of a File or Folder Manually in Windows?

4. Now copy new shsxs.dll and uxtheme.dll files (which you got from the extracted ZIP file using Step 2) to “C:\Windows\System32” folder.

5. That’s it. Restart your Windows and now you’ll enjoy the new purple background in Windows 8 Start Screen.

NOTE: To restore default green background, simply run “Uninstall.bat” file present in downloaded ZIP file.