How to Enable Dark Mode on Windows 11?

Why is Dark Mode used?

We are happy to use dark mode on Windows operating systems and applications if available. For those working continuously in a low-light environment, the dark mode comes in handy. I have an office or home PC; dark mode is just like a boon for us. Enabling the dark mode reduces eyestrain, thus keeping our eyes healthy.

Dark mode or theme is not enabled by default on Windows 11. If you purchase a computer pre-installed with Windows 11 or install a fresh Windows 11 on your old PC, the light mode or light theme is enabled irrespective of Windows editions. If it is Windows 11 Home or Pro edition, by default, you will get the light theme activated on your computer or laptop. The dark mode theme makes it easier to quickly shift nearly all visual elements on the screen to dark grey and black.

Almost everything on the screen wears black color after activating the dark mode on Windows 11. All the default items, including Taskbar, Start menu, context menus, Quick Settings, File Explorer, Settings app, and notifications center, will wear a dark theme. Also, default apps like Mail, Calculator, Photos, etc., will be dark.

After enabling the dark theme, almost every Windows component will get a black color. Still, a few visual elements will continue to ignore the dark mode because they are unavailable in dark mode. For instance, the classic Control Panel will still use a white background because shopping mode Microsoft has not developed a dark theme. The same goes with Notepad and WordPad apps as well. If you need it, you can install a Black Notepad for your PC.

How to Turn On Dark Theme on Windows 11?

Do these steps to enable dark mode or theme on Windows 11 quickly:-

Step 1. Right-click on free space on the desktop and pick the Personalize option from the context menu.

Step 2. The Settings > Personalization page will open. Pick on the Windows (dark) theme under the “Select a theme to apply” section on the right-side pane.

How to Enable Dark Theme on Windows 11 using the Settings app?

First Method

Step 1. Open the Settings app.

Click on the Search button on Windows 11 taskbar and type Settings in the search field. Click on the Settings App in the search result to open it.

Step 2. Pick on the Personalization category.

Step 3. Click Colors on the right-side pane of Personalization on the setting app.

Step 4. Pick Dark from the “Choose your color” drop-down menu.

Once you apply Dark mode, it activates the dark theme on your Windows 11 PC. Apps like the shopping mode Microsoft Store, Mail, Calendar, etc., will use the power-saving black background.

Second Method

Step 1. Open the Settings app.

Step 2. Pick on the Personalization category to set the app.

Step 3. Pick on the Windows (Dark) theme on the right-side pane.

That’s it. The changes are immediate, which means there is no need to reboot your computer.

How to Enable Dark Theme on Windows 11 via File Explorer?

Do these steps to activate dark theme or mode on Windows 11 using File Explorer:-

Step 1. Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows + E keys on the keyboard.

Step 2. In the address bar, type the following path and hit the Enter from the keyboard to open the Themes folder:-

C:\Windows\Resources\Themes

Step 3. Double click on dark to activate the Dark theme. To apply another theme, double click on any other on the same folder.

After double-clicking on any theme, that will be applied immediately, and open the Settings app. You can safely close the Settings window.

How to Turn On or Turn Off Windows 11 Dark Mode via Registry Editor?

Step 1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows + R keys on the keyboard.

Step 2. Type the following and hit Enter from the keyboard to open the Registry Editor:-

regedit

Step 3. Navigate to the following key In the registry editor window from the left side pane:-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes

Step 4. Right-click on the Themes key and pick the New > Key option. Name the new key as Personalize.

Step 5. Pick the Personalize in the left side pane and right-click on free space. Select the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option. Name the newly created DWORD (32-bit) Value as AppsUseLightTheme.

Step 6. Double click on AppsUseLightTheme to set its Value data to 0.

Step 7. Click OK.

Now, you repeat the above steps in the following location also:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize

In addition to that, change the SystemUsesLightTheme REG_DWORD “Value data” to 1 in the above path.

That’s it. Dark theme are applied throughout Windows 11. Restart your machine.

Thank you, friends, for your time.