How to Customize or Disable the Windows Desktop Selection Rectangle

If blue isn’t for you, tweak the color of the Windows marquee rectangle or turn it off entirely with these tips

Windows has always been highly customizable. You can change the way Windows looks for aesthetic reasons, or items that are easier to find or use.

However, not many people know that you can change the color of the selection rectangle on Windows. It might not be as obvious a change as switching to a new theme, but small changes like these can go a long way in making Windows work better for you.

How to edit the background color of the Windows marquee

There are a few reasons why you should change the marquee color. But whether you find the rectangle difficult to see or just want to personalize Windows, the editing process is the same.

You need to know the RGB code of the color you want to use for the background. You can find this in an app like Microsoft Paint. You can also search color picker Search Google for a tool that displays RGB codes. Note the color code. For example, 240 123 91.

Alternatively, if you use PowerToys, a color picker is available. With this tool you can find the RGB value of any color on the screen.

1. Open the registry editor and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors.
2. The right pane shows a list of Windows items with their color codes. Seek HotTrackingColor.
3. Double-click or tap HotTrackingColor to edit the value. Replace the existing color code with your alternative. Make sure to include the spaces, but remove any commas.
4. click OK and then restart your computer. You can also log out and back into your account to apply the changes.

Registry Editor is a very powerful tool, and if you use it carefully, you can perform registry hacks to improve your Windows experience.

Edit the border color of the marquee

It is also possible to change the color of the border of the translucent rectangle. This can help make the rectangle more visible without changing the background color.

1. Open the registry editor and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors.
2. Seek highlights in the right list of items. This controls the color of the border.
3. Double click highlights and edit the color code. Remember that the border is solid color and not translucent. It appears much more vibrant than the background color.
4. click OKclose the registry editor and restart your computer.

How to enable or disable the marquee

The marquee can affect the performance of your computer, especially if it is old or has no processing power.

Windows has to generate and animate the rectangle, which requires processing power. Although it’s a small amount, when combined with other animations, it can introduce lag and jitter. Disabling the selection rectangle can be done in the performance options.

1. Type perfomance into Windows search and click Customize the look and performance of Windows.
2. In which Visual Effects tab. Under Performance Options, uncheck the box next to Show translucent selection rectangle.
3. click Apply and then close the Performance Options pane.

You may not see any performance improvement when the rectangle is disabled. If it does, you can repeat the steps above to re-enable it.

Editing the translucent marquee on Windows

Regardless of the reason, editing the translucent rectangle that appears on the desktop when you click and drag is easy. And if you no longer need to see the selection pane or it’s affecting performance, you can turn it off altogether. Small tweaks like these can go a long way in making Windows work better for you.