Windows Server 2012 intentionally lacks the color customization GUI found in client versions of Windows. This isn't a bug - it's by design. Server operating systems prioritize performance and stability over visual customization. The only available schemes through the standard interface are:

• Windows Basic (default light blue)
• High Contrast #1-#4 (accessibility-focused schemes)

While the GUI is disabled, the underlying color configuration still exists in the registry. Here's how to modify window border colors manually:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors]
"ActiveBorder"="202 202 202"
"InactiveBorder"="240 240 240"
"WindowFrame"="120 120 120"

Color values are in RGB format (0-255 for each component). After making changes, either log off/on or run this command:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe

For administrators managing multiple servers, this PowerShell script automates the process:

Function Set-WindowColors {
    param(
        [int[]]$ActiveBorderRGB,
        [int[]]$InactiveBorderRGB
    )

    $colorsPath = "HKCU:\Control Panel\Colors"
    if (-not (Test-Path $colorsPath)) {
        New-Item -Path $colorsPath -Force | Out-Null
    }

    Set-ItemProperty -Path $colorsPath -Name "ActiveBorder" -Value ($ActiveBorderRGB -join " ")
    Set-ItemProperty -Path $colorsPath -Name "InactiveBorder" -Value ($InactiveBorderRGB -join " ")
    
    Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force
    Start-Process explorer.exe
}

# Example: Set borders to dark gray
Set-WindowColors -ActiveBorderRGB 64,64,64 -InactiveBorderRGB 128,128,128

The color scheme GUI was removed to:

• Reduce the attack surface (fewer GUI components = fewer potential vulnerabilities)
• Minimize resource usage on server systems
• Maintain standardization in enterprise environments

Several utilities can restore color customization:

1. WindowBlinds (Stardock) - Full theme engine with server support
2. UltraUXThemePatcher - Enables third-party visual styles

Note: These may violate some corporate IT policies for production servers.

Unlike its desktop counterparts, Windows Server 2012 intentionally disables the color personalization GUI through Server Core components. Microsoft's rationale was to reduce graphical overhead on server systems, but this leaves administrators staring at default blue window borders.

For individual server customization, modify these registry values (backup first!):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors]
"ActiveBorder"="202 202 202"
"InactiveBorder"="240 240 240"
"WindowText"="0 0 0"
"Window"="255 255 255"

For domain environments, create a Group Policy Preference (GPP) registry item targeting:

HKCU\Control Panel\Colors

With these recommended RGB values for sysadmin-friendly schemes:

• Dark Mode: "Window"="45 45 45" / "WindowText"="240 240 240"
• Terminal Green: "Window"="0 64 0" / "WindowText"="192 255 192"

For scripted deployments across multiple servers:

$colors = @{
    "ActiveBorder" = "192 192 192"
    "InactiveBorder" = "255 255 255"
    "Window" = "240 240 240"
}

foreach ($color in $colors.GetEnumerator()) {
    Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Control Panel\Colors" -Name $color.Key -Value $color.Value
}

Note that changes require either logoff/logon or restarting explorer.exe:

Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force

For GUI lovers, these tools bypass Microsoft's restrictions:

• WindowBlinds (Stardock) - Full theming engine
• UltraUXThemePatcher - Enables desktop themes
• Classic Color Panel - Portable color picker