If you want to switch to a dark theme now, both Windows 11 and Windows 10 let you do it in just a few steps from Personalization. Turning on dark mode in Windows does not require any extra software, and you can switch back to light mode whenever you want.
Dark mode changes the appearance of menus, apps, and other interface elements. You can also change the desktop colors or background to give Windows a more consistent dark appearance.
Quick solution: turn on dark mode in Windows
The dark mode setting is available under Personalization > Colors.
- In Windows 11, press Windows + I and go to Personalization > Colors > Choose your mode > Dark.
- In Windows 10, press Windows + I and go to Personalization > Colors > Choose your color > Dark.
The change takes effect immediately in Windows and supported apps. You do not need to restart your PC.
How to turn on dark mode in Windows 11
To enable dark mode in Windows 11, open Settings and follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select Personalization and click Colors.
- Open Choose your mode and select Dark.
Windows 11 will apply the dark appearance to Settings, the Start menu, the taskbar, File Explorer, and other apps that follow the system theme.
How to turn on dark mode in Windows 10
The process is similar in Windows 10:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Personalization and select Colors.
- Find Choose your color and select Dark.
Windows 10 will apply darker colors to the Start menu, taskbar, Settings, and other supported apps.
Note: Support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. If you still use this version, Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 when your PC is compatible.
How to customize the dark theme
From Settings > Personalization > Colors, you can choose between Light, Dark, and Custom modes, change the accent color, and adjust other appearance settings.
Use different modes for Windows and apps
The Custom option lets you use a different appearance for Windows and your apps. For example, you can keep Windows in dark mode while using light mode for apps, or vice versa.
Use a dark background with the Windows dark theme
If you want to switch to a dark background theme in Windows, you can combine Dark mode with a darker desktop image or a solid color.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Background and choose a dark image or color that matches the rest of the interface.
This lets you change the desktop colors or background independently from the theme used by the Windows interface and apps.
How to automatically turn on dark mode in Windows
If you prefer to use a light theme during the day and automatically switch to dark mode at night, Microsoft PowerToys includes a utility called Light Switch. It can switch between light and dark modes automatically based on a schedule.
To set it up:
- Install or open Microsoft PowerToys.
- Select Light Switch.
- Turn on Enable Light Switch.
- Under Schedule Mode, choose when the theme should change.
You can use:
- Sunset to Sunrise: switches to dark mode based on local sunset and sunrise times.
- Fixed hours: lets you set the switching times manually.
- Follow Night Light: follows the schedule used by Windows Night light.
For Sunset to Sunrise, location services must be enabled. Light Switch can also apply the theme change to Windows, supported apps, or both.
Switch back to the light theme
To return to the light theme, open Settings > Personalization > Colors.
- In Windows 11, under Choose your mode, select Light.
- In Windows 10, under Choose your color, select Light.
The change takes effect immediately.
If you use PowerToys Light Switch, disable it or adjust its schedule so dark mode does not turn back on later.
Dark mode vs. Night light vs. Contrast themes
Although these settings can affect how Windows looks or how content appears on your screen, they serve different purposes.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Dark mode | Changes the Windows interface and supported apps to darker colors. |
| Night light | Makes the colors on your display warmer, especially at night. |
| Contrast themes | Uses higher-contrast color combinations to make text and other elements easier to distinguish. |
Night light can be used together with dark mode and can also be scheduled. You can find it under Settings > System > Display > Night light.
If you’re adjusting your display settings, you may also want to learn how to rotate your screen in Windows 10 or 11.
Contrast themes are primarily an accessibility feature. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes. In Windows 10, the equivalent feature appears as High contrast.
If you simply want Windows to have a darker appearance, use dark mode.
What to do if dark mode does not apply everywhere in Windows
After turning on dark mode, some apps or parts of the interface may still use a light background. This does not always mean there is a problem with Windows.
Try the following:
- Check the selected mode. Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and make sure Dark is selected. If you use Custom, Windows and your apps may have different appearance settings.
- Close and reopen the app. Some apps may not update their appearance immediately after you change the Windows theme.
- Check the app’s appearance settings. Some apps have their own Light, Dark, or system-theme options, while others may not fully support Windows dark mode.
- Check Light Switch if you use it. An active schedule can automatically switch Windows back to light mode.
Some websites may also keep a light background even when Windows or your browser is set to dark mode because websites can use their own color schemes.
