How to Use Dark Mode in Windows 11

Dark mode is a popular feature in Windows 11 that helps reduce eye strain, save battery life on laptops, and provide a sleek, modern look to your interface. Enabling dark mode changes the appearance of system elements, apps, and supported websites. This guide will walk you through the steps to enable and customize dark mode in Windows 11.

Introduction

Dark mode has become an essential feature for many users, providing a comfortable viewing experience, especially in low-light environments. Windows 11 offers a comprehensive dark mode that transforms the appearance of system elements and compatible apps, enhancing both aesthetics and usability. Follow this guide to learn how to enable and customize dark mode in Windows 11 to suit your preferences.

Step 1: Open Settings

1. Click on the Start menu (Windows icon) at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Click on the Settings icon (gear icon). Alternatively, press Win + I to open the Settings app directly.

Step 2: Navigate to Personalization

1. In the Settings app, click on Personalization in the left-hand sidebar.

Step 3: Access Colors Settings

1. In the Personalization settings, click on Colors in the left-hand sidebar.

Step 4: Enable Dark Mode

1. Under the Choose your mode section, you will see three options:

   • Light: Uses a light theme for system elements and apps.
   • Dark: Uses a dark theme for system elements and apps.
   • Custom: Allows you to separately choose a light or dark mode for system elements and apps.

2. Select Dark from the dropdown menu to enable dark mode.

Step 5: Customize Dark Mode (Optional)

1. If you want to customize dark mode further, select Custom from the dropdown menu under the Choose your mode section.
2. You can then choose Dark for your default Windows mode and default app mode individually:
   • Default Windows mode: Changes the theme of system elements like the taskbar and Start menu.
   • Default app mode: Changes the theme of apps that support dark mode.

Step 6: Adjust Accent Colors

1. Scroll down to the Accent color section in the Colors settings.
2. Choose an accent color from the provided palette or click on View colors to select a custom color.
3. You can also enable Transparency effects to add a translucent look to system elements.

Step 7: Apply Dark Mode to Apps

1. Many apps in Windows 11 support dark mode and will automatically adapt to the system theme.
2. For individual app settings, you may need to enable dark mode within the app's settings if it does not automatically follow the system theme.

Step 8: Enable Dark Mode for Websites (Optional)

1. Some web browsers, like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, support dark mode.
2. Open your web browser and navigate to its settings.
3. Look for the appearance or theme settings and select Dark mode.
4. Additionally, some websites support dark mode natively. Look for dark mode settings within the website itself.

Additional Tips

• Battery Saver: Enabling dark mode can help save battery life on laptops and other battery-powered devices.
• Eye Comfort: Dark mode is particularly useful for reducing eye strain in low-light environments or during extended screen use.
• Automatic Switching: Some third-party apps allow you to schedule automatic switching between light and dark modes based on time of day.

Conclusion

You have successfully learned how to enable and customize dark mode in Windows 11. By following these steps, you can enjoy a more comfortable and visually appealing interface, while also potentially improving battery life on portable devices. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect dark mode configuration that suits your needs and preferences.