Like almost every other major operating system currently available, Windows 11 offers users light and dark mode interface options. Light mode is on by default, but Dark mode is easier on the eyes, especially in dimly lit rooms or at night. In some cases, it can even reduce the power consumption of your device's display. Here's how to open it in Windows 11.
Turn on dark mode in Windows 11
To turn on dark mode in Windows 11:
Open Settings from the Start menu or using the Win+i shortcut on your keyboard.
Select Personalize from the list on the left.
Choose a color in the personalization menu.
Click Choose your mode and select Dark from the drop-down list.
While simple, this only works with Windows 11's standard Dark Mode settings. You can actually customize things a little more.
Use pre-made Windows 11 themes
Like Windows 10, Windows 11 allows you to apply unique themes that change everything about your interface in one fell swoop - wallpaper, menu and folder colors, accent colors, icons, and more. Here's how to contact them:
Go to Settings > System > Personalization using the same method as above.
Click on a topic in the menu list.
Select the desired theme from the Current Theme drop-down menu. The "Windows (Dark)" theme is probably the safest option, but several other themes offer Dark Mode-like color schemes.
If you don't like any of the pre-included options, click Browse Themes to view and download other themes from the Microsoft Store.
After selecting your new theme, click Apply to enable it.
Custom theme colors
If you don't like the basic Dark Mode settings, or you just don't want to use Dark Mode in all your windows and apps, you can customize your theme's colors.
Open Settings and select Personalization from the list on the left.
Select a color in the personalization window.
Click Select your mode and select Custom from the drop-down list.
Select Dark or Light as the theme that Windows and menus will use. This will allow applications to use whatever mode you set for them without Windows trying to take over.
You can also choose an accent color by changing it to "Manual".
Click "View Colors" and use the color picker to find your favorite color.
Use the toggle option to select the border to which you want to apply the accent.
Use a contrasting theme
Windows 11 personalization also includes Contrast Theme, which is designed for users with specific visual accessibility requirements. As the name suggests, contrast themes use contrasting color combinations to make it easier to read text against the background (light text and dark background for menus, or dark text and light background). Many of these 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 keys, but turning them on in the Windows Settings menu will allow you to edit them.
There are two ways to find the contrast theme menu:
The first method can be found by navigating to Settings > System > Personalization > Themes > Compare Themes .
Or, just navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Compare Themes .
Once in the Contrast theme menu, select your favorite color scheme from the drop-down menu. Click Edit to customize your contrast theme.
