Windows Accessibility Options allow you to instantly switch between two 'visual themes' using a single key combination. This is very useful as it means a single user account can be shared between two people when one requires a specific visual setup, such as high-contrast. It's very easy to set up but, along with most of Microsoft's built-in Accessibility Options, it's rather limited. The limiting part is the selection of visual schemes that you are able to choose from.
The only schemes available are the pre-made schemes that were shipped with Windows 98 and are still available in Windows XP under the Display applet of the Control Panel. I often recommend people to select one of these themes before fine-tuning it for their own use. The Accessibility Option shortcut key will not switch to a customized scheme unless you use it the other way around.
Here's how to select a pre-made theme and assign a keyboard shortcut to turn it on and off. In order to see a preview of your theme before you select it you will need to use the Display applet of the Control Panel. I have a tutorial that covers this.
Open up the Windows Control Panel by going to Start and selecting Control Panel from the menu.
If there is no Control Panel in your Start Menu then your school's technician or network administrator has stopped you from being able to access it!
Windows Key, Arrow Keys (to select Control Panel), Enter
Double-click on the 'Accessiblity Options' icon to launch the applet.
A (to select Accessibility Options), Enter
Select the Display tab at the top of the Accessibility Options window. This page is split into two sections, High Contrast and Cursor Options.
CTRL + TAB
Ticking the High Contrast checkbox will switch the Windows display to one of the built-in colour schemes. Although there a half a dozen High Contrast schemes available there are also many other pre-built schemes to choose from that one could not classify as high-contrast.
ALT + U
By clicking the settings button you can choose which scheme you would like to switch to, and whether you want to enable the quick-switch keyboard shortcut.
ALT + S
Up pops the 'Settings for High Contrast' dialog.
From this we can enable the use of ALT + Left SHIFT + PRINT SCREEN key combination that will allow users to quickly switch between the 'high-contrast' scheme and the 'regular' scheme.
ALT + U
You can choose which scheme you would like to use from the drop-down list. Notice that some are available with large and extra large fonts.
ALT + Y, Up and Down Arrow Keys
Rather unfortunately, this dialog does not offer a preview of each colour scheme but this feature is offered in the Display applet of the Control Panel.
Click OK to close the dialog.
Back on the Accessibility Options window press Apply to preview your scheme.
ENTER, ALT + A
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