How to turn on dark mode on Windows

The short answer

Open Settings, go to Personalization, then Colors, and set “Choose your mode” to Dark.

How to turn on dark mode (Windows 10 and 11)

The steps are nearly identical on both versions of Windows:

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I
  2. Click Personalization
  3. Click Colors
  4. Find the dropdown labeled “Choose your mode”
  5. Select Dark

That’s it. Your taskbar, Start menu, Settings app, and File Explorer will all switch to a dark theme immediately.

What about “Custom” mode?

If you pick Custom instead of Dark, you get two separate options:

  • Windows mode controls the taskbar and Start menu
  • App mode controls apps like Settings and File Explorer

This lets you mix and match. For example, you could keep a light taskbar but have dark apps.

How to set a dark accent color

While you’re in the Colors settings, you can also:

  • Pick an accent color that complements the dark background
  • Turn on “Show accent color on Start and taskbar” for a more personalized look
  • Turn on “Show accent color on title bars and window borders”

Will all apps go dark?

Not necessarily. The Windows dark mode setting applies to built-in apps and apps that follow the system theme. Some third-party apps have their own dark mode toggle that you need to enable separately. Common examples:

  • Chrome: Settings > Appearance > Theme
  • Microsoft Office: File > Account > Office Theme
  • Spotify: Already dark by default

Tips for a better dark mode experience

  • Turn on Night Light (in Settings > Display) to reduce blue light alongside dark mode
  • Lower your screen brightness for the best effect in dim rooms
  • If dark mode makes text harder to read, try the Custom mode with only apps set to dark

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