Windows 11 Dark Mode: Enabling and Disabling Dark Theme

Dark mode or theme was initially introduced by Microsoft in Windows 10 and is now also available in Windows 11. Although Windows 11 has a Dark mode as well, the Light theme is still used by default. With the use of the Settings app or even a Registry modification, you can enable the Dark mode theme. This post will demonstrate how to modify the Windows Registry using the Settings app to enable the hidden Windows 10 Dark Theme. You may enable Windows 11’s Dark mode theme with a quick change, and you can then customize its appearance to suit your preferences.

The apps that come with the Windows 11 operating system by default from Microsoft have really nice and appealing colors. For native apps like Settings, Microsoft Edge, etc., these apps have a light-grey color scheme. The theme preview is as follows:-

Have a look at the Dark mode or theme on Windows 11:-

As previously stated, there are two ways to turn on or off, and these are as follows:-

1. Using Settings app
2. Via Registry Editor

How to Enable or Disable Windows 11 Dark Mode using the Settings app?

Step 1: Go to the Settings app on your computer.

Click on the Search icon on the Windows 11 taskbar and enter “Settings” to open the Settings app. To open the Settings app, click on it in the search result.

Step 2: Select the Personalization category in the Settings app.

Step 3: Select Colors from the Personalization menu on the right.

Step 4: There are three choices available in the “Choose your color” drop-down menu:-

• Dark
• Light
• Custom

To use the dark mode theme on your Windows 11 computer, select the Dark option. Once you choose the Dark option, the changes take effect right away, so your Settings app and other Windows applications will turn black.

Once you select the Dark theme, all applications—including the Microsoft Store, Mail, Calendar, and others—will use the dark, eye-friendly background. Additionally, Dark mode is a wonderful choice for dim lighting. On Windows 11, we personally favor using the dark mode theme.

Repeat steps 1 through 2 and step 3 above to enable a light or custom theme on your Windows 11 computer. Select the light or custom theme that best suits your requirements.

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

Use the following steps to to enable or disable Windows 11 Dark mode with the help of the Registry Editor:-

Step 1: Press Windows Key + R concurrently to open the Run command box.

Step 2: To open the Registry Editor window, type the following into the Run dialogue box and press the Enter key on your keyboard. –

regedit

Step 3: In the registry editor window’s left side pane, look for the key shown below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes

Step 4: Next, right-click on the Themes key and choose New, followed by Key. Create a new key and name it “Personalize”.

Step 5: Next, choose Personalize in the left side pane and then right-click on a blank spot there. Then choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value option under New. AppsUseLightTheme should be the name of the newly formed DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 6: Double-click on AppsUseLightTheme and change its Value data to 0 by clicking on it twice.

Step 7: Click on OK.

Repeat the previous steps at the following location for the user key as well:

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

Additionally, in the path above, set the SystemUsesLightTheme DWORD (32-bit) Value to 1.

Close the Registry Editor after completing the aforementioned steps, then reboot your computer. Restart the computer now, then launch the Settings app. Now is the time to turn on the Dark theme.

That is it.

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