If you spend a lot of time in front of your computer or simply prefer a cleaner, more modern look, you can switch to a dark theme in Windows in just a few steps. Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 include this feature built in, so you do not need to install any extra software.
In this guide, you will learn how to turn on dark mode in Windows 10 and 11, adjust the dark theme settings, and switch back to light mode whenever you want.
Prefer to read this guide in Spanish? You can also check the Spanish version of this tutorial on how to turn on dark mode in Windows 10 and 11.
How to turn on dark mode in Windows 10
In Windows 10, the process is very simple:
- Open Settings
- Go to Personalization
- Click Colors
- Under Choose your color, select Dark
Once you do that, Windows 10 will apply the dark theme to several parts of the system, including the Start menu, taskbar, Settings window, and other compatible apps.
How to turn on dark mode in Windows 11
In Windows 11, the process is very similar:
- Open Settings
- Go to Personalization
- Click Colors
- Under Choose your mode, select Dark
After that, Windows 11 will apply the dark theme to different parts of the system, such as windows, menus, and several compatible apps.
How to customize the dark theme in Windows
If you want to go a step further, Windows also lets you customize the dark theme and adjust different parts of the system’s appearance.
Inside Settings > Personalization > Colors, you can change options such as:
- the accent color
- transparency effects
- Custom mode
- the desktop background
This gives you more control over the overall look of Windows, so you do not have to stick with the exact same dark style everywhere.
In some setups, you can also change the desktop colors or background, and even adjust the taskbar color or Start menu color by using the accent color settings.
Use Custom mode: The Custom option lets you mix light mode and dark mode in different parts of Windows.
For example, you can use:
- dark mode for Windows
- light mode for apps
- or the other way around
This gives you more control over the look of the system and can be useful if you want a balance between comfort and personal preference.
How to use a darker background in Windows
If you want Windows to look more consistent after turning on dark mode, you can also switch to a darker desktop background or a solid dark color. This does not replace the dark theme itself, but it does help the desktop and background match the rest of the interface better.
To do that:
- Open Settings
- Go to Personalization
- Click Background
- Choose a dark image or a solid color
You can also change the desktop colors or background so the overall appearance works better with dark mode.
How to turn off dark mode in Windows
If you want to go back to light mode, you can follow almost the same steps:
- Open Settings
- Go to Personalization
- Click Colors
- Under the mode or color option, select Light
Windows will then stop using the dark theme and switch back to a lighter appearance in different parts of the system.
Dark mode vs high contrast: what is the difference?
Although people sometimes confuse them, dark mode and high contrast are not the same thing.
Dark mode changes Windows to darker tones for a cleaner, more comfortable visual experience. High contrast, on the other hand, is an accessibility feature designed to make text and on-screen elements easier to distinguish.
If you simply want Windows to look darker, dark mode is the setting you need. If you need stronger visibility for accessibility reasons, then high contrast may be the better option.
What to do if dark mode does not apply everywhere in Windows
Sometimes you turn on the dark theme and notice that some parts of the system or certain programs still look light. This can happen for several reasons, such as:
- the app does not support dark mode
- the program has its own appearance settings
- you are using Custom mode
- some parts of Windows behave differently depending on the version
In those cases, check both the Windows system settings and the internal settings of the app you are using. That will help you confirm whether the dark theme is controlled by Windows or by the app itself.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a built-in option to turn on dark mode from the personalization settings.
Not in any major way. It is mostly a visual change, although many people prefer it because the interface feels more comfortable to use.
In many cases, yes. However, it depends on your Windows version and on whether certain system elements or apps fully support dark mode.
Yes. In fact, combining dark mode with a dark desktop background usually gives Windows a more consistent appearance.
Not exactly. Many people use those terms as if they mean the same thing, but in Windows, the main setting related to the system’s appearance is dark mode.
You can find the dark mode setting in Settings > Personalization > Colors.
Yes. Besides turning on dark mode, you can also change the desktop background, accent color, and other visual settings from Settings > Personalization.
