Getting started

Four steps from your license key to running Colorware.

1

Get a license key

Keys are issued through our Discord community. Pick up a Week or Lifetime key, and you'll receive a code that looks like ABCD-EFGH-JKLM-NPQR.

2

Verify and download

Open the loader, paste your key, hit Verify key, then click Download to save colorware.exe.

Keep the installer somewhere safe. You can redownload it any time by verifying your key again -- no limit.

3

Launch Colorware

Double-click colorware.exe. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning on the first run -- click More info → Run anyway.

Paste the same license key into the splash screen. Colorware checks in with the server, which binds the key to your PC on the first successful launch.

4

Grade your image

Adjust saturation, vibrance, warmth, brightness, and gamma from the main panel. Changes apply system-wide instantly through the Windows Magnification API -- no injection, no hooks, works in every game.

Save your favourite looks as profiles in the sidebar.

Common questions
My key says it's locked to a different machine.
Each key binds to the first PC that successfully validates it. If you reinstalled Windows, swapped parts, or need to move Colorware to a new machine, open a ticket in the Discord and we'll reset the HWID lock on your key.
The exe shows "Could not reach server" on launch.
Colorware phones home on every launch to validate your key. Check that you're online and that nothing is blocking colorware.rustbunker.vip -- usually a firewall or VPN kill-switch. Antivirus can also quarantine the exe; whitelist it if that happens.
What exactly does Colorware do to my PC?
It calls Windows' MagSetFullscreenColorEffect API with a 5x5 colour matrix built from your slider values. The effect is applied by the OS to every pixel on screen. There is no DLL injection, no hooks, no driver -- it's a user-space app that uses an API Microsoft documents for accessibility software.
Can I share my key with a friend?
No. The key locks to the first PC that validates it. Even if you re-download the installer and give it to someone else, they'll get a "key locked to a different machine" error on launch. If you want multiple seats, buy multiple keys.
My week key just expired. What happens?
Colorware stops validating on launch and returns you to the splash screen. Renew the key in the Discord, enter it in the splash, and you're back in.
Still stuck? Join the Discord and open a support ticket. Include your key and a short description of what you're seeing -- screenshots help.