Introduction
Windows 11 comes with dark mode enabled by default. This provides a darker theme that can be easier on the eyes. However, Windows 11 dark mode offers more customization options compared to previous Windows versions. In this article, I will explore the new dark mode features in depth.
How to Enable/Disable Dark Mode
- Dark mode can be enabled or disabled through Settings > Personalization > Colors.
- The toggle switch under Choose your mode allows me to switch between light and dark mode.
- I can also schedule dark mode to turn on automatically at sunset or at a specific time.
New Dark Mode Settings
Windows 11 provides more granular control over dark mode compared to Windows 10:
Dark Mode for Apps
- I can set dark mode for the OS but exclude apps from using the dark theme under Choose which apps use dark mode.
- This allows me to enable dark mode system-wide but keep specific apps like photo editors in light mode.
Dark Mode for Web Content
- There is a new Darken web pages when using dark mode setting.
- When enabled, this will darken web page content when viewed in dark mode.
- I can turn this off if I prefer web pages to ignore my dark mode setting.
Dark Background for Taskbar/Start Menu
- Separate from system-wide dark mode is the Choose a dark background for taskbar and Start setting.
- This just changes the taskbar/Start colors without affecting the entire system theme.
- I have more flexibility to mix a dark taskbar on light mode or vice versa.
Accent Color Options
- I can customize the accent color used across the OS for Start menu, taskbar, etc.
- There are now options for both Light mode accent color and Dark mode accent color.
- This allows me to set different accent colors based on my chosen theme.
Improved Dark Mode Support
Windows 11 provides better dark mode support for first-party and third-party apps:
- File Explorer now adapts properly to dark mode. The ribbon, sidebar, and file content view all switch colors.
- The built-in Mail and Calendar apps also switch to darker backgrounds. Text is readable and icons stand out.
- Most Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, etc. also have native dark mode support.
- Even many third-party apps are updating with dark mode support after Windows 11’s release.
Bottom Line
The dark mode in Windows 11 offers me much more flexibility compared to previous versions. I have more options to control which parts of the OS or specific apps use dark mode. Support across the system and third-party apps is also improving. Dark mode feels more polished and customizable on Windows 11.
