How to change tiles' background color in Windows 8.1 start screen?

This is embarassing.

The tiles now comeletely suc*s and the 'Start button' is simply one more button on my bar that sends me to the Metro UI anyway...all to see that unicorn vomit thing.

Seriously, tiles looked amazing on Windows 8. Why the heck ruining them like this on 8.1??

Do I really need to reinstall the whole thing just to get them back how they already was?

I'll never understand Microsoft. People complained about Metro UI which actually worse since on large screens it gives you more programs all there without having a desktop full of stuff like you did in the 90's but now it just looks horrible! Patch it right, it's so horrible to see I wouldn't even turn my computer on if it wasn't for work.

OK I think I have a way to alleviate this problem.

In the folder C:/programdata/Microsoft/windows/start menu are the main Start Screen shortcuts.

The other folder is in c:/users/USERNAME/appdata/roaming/microsoft/windows/start menu.

(You need to unhide protected files in the folder view options)

You can edit these shortcuts to change their icon. When looking for alternative icons, the program's .exe file usually contains some.

If you change the icon of the shortcut, it changes the Start Screen tile. I've tried it and it works.

So, you could even create some custom icons that don't look horrible as tiles in 8.1, and get the tiles looking nice again! All you need is something to edit icon files and no third party software or convoluted workrounds. I am so happy I found this!

This is embarassing.

The tiles now comeletely suc*s and the 'Start button' is simply one more button on my bar that sends me to the Metro UI anyway...all to see that unicorn vomit thing.

Seriously, tiles looked amazing on Windows 8. Why the heck ruining them like this on 8.1??

Do I really need to reinstall the whole thing just to get them back how they already was?

There's a freebie called "Custom Tile Maker" which might be worth a look. The following link will open in the Store at the app's location: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-gb/app/custom-tiles-maker/6192f3b0-03e5-421c-82f4-33ae16537559

By the way, right click the Start button to get a handy shortcut menu.

Thank you for the reply but that's not so good for me.

First thing first I'm one of that dudes that hates to have extra stuff on the pc and keeping the Custom Tiles app just to have a function who was already in the system is not the best to me.

Plus, the right click on the corner to get the extra funcions has always been there in Windows 8 so no big news here either. Right know I'm keeping the tiles like this because I have too much stuff I'm working on to format my computer but I'd definitely do that to change this horrible looking rainbow.

Thank you for the reply but that's not so good for me.

First thing first I'm one of that dudes that hates to have extra stuff on the pc and keeping the Custom Tiles app just to have a function who was already in the system is not the best to me.

Plus, the right click on the corner to get the extra funcions has always been there in Windows 8 so no big news here either. Right know I'm keeping the tiles like this because I have too much stuff I'm working on to format my computer but I'd definitely do that to change this horrible looking rainbow.

I think I might be confused somewhat. You want to change the color of the tiles, or the background they're placed on?

My confusion stems from your reference to the ugly rainbow which is one of the lock screen images.