Windows defines a set of system properties for widget colors, such as COLOR_MENU, which an end-user can change. The Win32 AWT needs to support these colors so Java apps (including HotJava) appear as true Windows apps. Currently these colors are hard-coded.

The Win32 AWT also needs to support the WM_SYSCOLORCHANGE message, so Java apps repaint themselves appropriately when an end-user changes their system colors.