Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Ask: Is there a Windows app that thickens windows borders, or gives them more contrast? (self.Blind)
submitted by waltbosz
## My problem
I have difficulty seeing objects in situations with low contrast.
The Windows 10 UI makes use of single pixel borders, and I am constantly clicking the wrong window, or am not able to grab the window border to resize.
## How I'm trying to solve the problem
I'm trying to find an app to help with this? Something that will draw extra borders onto the windows.
I've tried writing my own app (I'm a developer by trade), but low level Window UI programming is out of my scope, so development is slow and frustrating.
## What I've tried
I've tried the high contrast there built into Windows, but that doesn't help with the borders. Plus it's almost too much contrast, kind of headache inducing.
I've also tried various registry hacks that are supposed to thicken borders, but they don't seem to take.
I've also tried WindowsBlinds from StarDock software to reskin the UI. That works ok, but there are a lot of programs that it can't skin correctly.
## Question
Does anyone else have this same vision issue, and have you found a solution to my problem?
I have difficulty seeing objects in situations with low contrast.
The Windows 10 UI makes use of single pixel borders, and I am constantly clicking the wrong window, or am not able to grab the window border to resize.
## How I'm trying to solve the problem
I'm trying to find an app to help with this? Something that will draw extra borders onto the windows.
I've tried writing my own app (I'm a developer by trade), but low level Window UI programming is out of my scope, so development is slow and frustrating.
## What I've tried
I've tried the high contrast there built into Windows, but that doesn't help with the borders. Plus it's almost too much contrast, kind of headache inducing.
I've also tried various registry hacks that are supposed to thicken borders, but they don't seem to take.
I've also tried WindowsBlinds from StarDock software to reskin the UI. That works ok, but there are a lot of programs that it can't skin correctly.
## Question
Does anyone else have this same vision issue, and have you found a solution to my problem?
blazblu82 2 points 1y ago
I did a little looking around on this and it seems Win10 isn't straight forward with doing what you asked. Have you tried using a contrasting background with a high contrast theme? I also saw something mentioned about adjusting the border thickness in the registry, but would have to dig deeper and you would need to be comfortable making such a change.
waltbosz [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks for the reply.
I am quite comfortable making registry changes.
I am quite comfortable making registry changes.
blazblu82 1 points 1y ago
Here's what I found from Microsoft Support Site. Keep in mind, this solution was to address border being too thick. So, try positive numbers instead:
**To change the Window border width, follow the steps below:**
1. Right-click the Windows key and select Run.
2. In the Run field, type regedit, and click OK.
3. Click Yes if prompted by UAC.
4. In regedit, navigate to the location: HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\\Control Panel\\Desktop\\WindowMetrics
5. In the right pane of WindowMetrics, double click PaddedBorderWidth to modify it.
6. Type in a data value of 0 (zero) or between -1 to -1500, and click OK.
7. Close regedit.
8. Sign out and sign in with your user account to apply.
**To change the Window border width, follow the steps below:**
1. Right-click the Windows key and select Run.
2. In the Run field, type regedit, and click OK.
3. Click Yes if prompted by UAC.
4. In regedit, navigate to the location: HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER\\Control Panel\\Desktop\\WindowMetrics
5. In the right pane of WindowMetrics, double click PaddedBorderWidth to modify it.
6. Type in a data value of 0 (zero) or between -1 to -1500, and click OK.
7. Close regedit.
8. Sign out and sign in with your user account to apply.
Richelledotmp3 1 points 1y ago
Hey so I don’t know if it would be something for you but you might want to look into programs like Zoomtext I use it myself and it’s nice to zoom in but also change colors or make things more clear. I know there are a few other programs but I can’t remember the names of them
waltbosz [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks for the suggestion. I checked out Zoomtext's website, but it's not quite what I'm looking for.
I want something that will make the borders between windows more visible and thicker.
I want something that will make the borders between windows more visible and thicker.
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