How to Enable and Configure Dark Mode in Windows 11

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Like almost every other major operating system currently available , Windows 11 offers users light and dark mode interface options. Light mode is enabled by default, but dark mode may be easier on the eyes, especially in dimly lit rooms or at night. In some cases, it even reduces the power consumption of your device’s display. Here’s how to enable it on Windows 11.

Enable dark mode in Windows 11

To enable dark mode in Windows 11:

  1. Open Settings from the Start menu or using the Win+i keyboard shortcut.

  2. Select Personalization from the list on the left.

Credit: Jake Peterson

  1. Select Colors from the Personalization menu.

  2. Click “Select Mode “ and select “Dark” from the drop-down list.

Credit: Jake Peterson

While this is simple, only the standard Windows 11 dark mode settings apply. You can actually customize things a little more.

Use a pre-made Windows 11 theme.

Like Windows 10, Windows 11 lets you apply unique themes that change everything about the interface in one fell swoop—the wallpaper, menu and folder colors, accent colors, icons, and more. Here’s how to get to them:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Personalization using the same method described above.

  2. Click “Themes” in the menu list.

  3. Select the theme you want from the Current Theme drop-down menu. The Windows (Dark) theme is probably the safest choice, but several others also offer color schemes similar to dark mode.

  4. If you don’t like any of the pre-included options, click Browse Themes to browse and download more themes from the Microsoft Store.

  5. Once you’ve selected your new theme, click Apply to enable it.

Customizing Theme Colors

If you’re not a fan of the basic dark mode settings or just don’t want to use dark mode in all your windows and apps, you can customize your theme colors.

  1. Open Settings and select Personalization from the list on the left.

  2. Select Colors in the Personalization window.

Credit: Jake Peterson

  1. Click “Choose Your Mode” and select “Custom” from the drop-down list.

  2. Choose the Dark or Light theme that Windows and menus will use. This will allow apps to use whatever mode you’ve configured for them without Windows trying to take over.

  3. You can also choose an accent color by changing it to Manual.

Credit: Jake Peterson

  1. Click Browse Colors and use the color picker to find the color you like best.

  2. Use the toggle options to choose which edges you want to apply emphasis to.

Use a contrasting theme

Windows 11 personalization settings also include “Contrasting Themes,” which are designed for users with specific vision-based accessibility requirements. As the name suggests, Contrast themes use contrasting color combinations that make text against a background easier to read (either light text and a dark background for menus, or dark text and a light background). Many of them will also work as dark themes.

You can turn contrast themes on or off at any time by pressing Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen , but turning them on in the Windows Settings menu will allow you to edit them.

There are two ways to find the Contrasting Themes menu:

The first method can be found by going to Settings > System > Personalization > Themes > Contrasting Themes .

Or simply go to Settings > Accessibility > Contrasting Themes .

From the Contrasting Themes menu, select the color scheme you like best from the drop-down menu. Click “Edit” to customize the contrast theme.

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