how to skin outlook 2007

16 07 2008

icon softwareSo if you are anything like me you will be a little sick of seeing the same Microsoft blue everywhere you look. Don’t despair I just worked out how to change the appearance (i.e. Skin) of Outlook 2007. It is actually very easy but not obvious – probably why I only discovered it today.

Now you can choose a nice black theme to match your Vista Transformation Pack or Nasa Night Launch theme for Firefox. That rocks!

Outlook Skin Screenshot Black

Outlook Skin Screenshot Black

  • Open Word 2007 (you see why it isn’t instantly obvious?)
  • Press Word Start
  • Select Word Options
  • Select Popular Category
  • Select Color Scheme – Black
  • Press OK
  • Close Word
  • Open Outlook and there you go – nice dark Outlook!

  • Actions

    Information

    20 responses

    20 07 2008
    FryHard

    How obtuse is that! “Change the most popular word options in word” if you can find them! :)

    Thanks for the help!

    23 07 2008
    Jade

    You can do this in any office app. the tricky thing in outlook is that you have to open up an appointment, then click on that appointment start, go to editor options and change the color there. It’s a little out of the way but not so round about as you make it seem

    23 07 2008
    paradineshift

    @ Jade

    Great to know (also not just an appointment, also a message)! Thanks for adding that. I just hadn’t noticed that the editor was a different menu than the main Outlook menu, one that includes the color options.

    7 08 2008
    eiserboy

    i find it useful :)

    11 08 2008
    eternalforce

    OP – Thanks for the tip!

    1 09 2008
    venkateswaran

    wow, thats nice – i hv a cute black outlook matchingmy desktop theme.

    10 09 2008
    Insane

    OmG thats nice :D
    But can I on any way switch the yellow color in the Outlook today to a black one?

    13 01 2009
    Skyler

    Thanks! That shitty blue was driving me crazy…

    13 01 2009
    paradineshift

    I hear you brother. Black is the new… everything.

    15 01 2009
    Un0rthodox

    wow this is good info lol
    tyvm =D

    23 01 2009
    Chi

    Thank you!! I was wondering how that worked! :)

    17 02 2009
    Suman

    Thanks for the tip.
    It is sad that only 3 color options are available.

    25 02 2009
    Bill

    Why can’t Office just inherit the global Windows settings? Why does it insist on it’s own frickin’ styling. I don’t like Aero. I can change the settings for Windows to something a little more conventional, but Office insists on using that Aero look whether or not I want it or not. So all windows are the same except those of Office. Incredibly arrogant of Microsoft (or at least the Office developers).

    28 04 2009
    maria

    Great tip, not that easy to find the old functions in Word 7. It is not a black screen but dark great and much better contrast. thank you

    3 05 2009
    tom

    you don’t need to open word, just create a new email and click the outlook start (upper left icon).

    13 05 2009
    Dragon

    Thank you all a LOT! ;) I would never find it without help ! –)

    28 05 2009
    dee montgomerry pennyworth

    wow it worked!!

    12 06 2009
    MyOhMy

    I think going to a free alternative might be better then Office 2007.. I seen this article http://www.technobuzz.net/5-free-office-suites-for-your-pc/ anyone try any of these?

    13 06 2009
    Tonja

    Oh my goodness, thank you soooooo much! That blue was driving me crazy!! I love the new look. Forever grateful…

    7 07 2009
    Schalk

    Right on!

    Leave a comment