Easily Toggle Dark and Light Mode on Windows 11 and Remove Unwanted Quick Settings

In Windows 11, switching between dark and light themes traditionally requires navigating through Settings > Personalization > Colors and toggling the desired option. While this process is relatively simple, it can be cumbersome to access settings each time a change is needed. However, Microsoft is enhancing user convenience by allowing theme changes through Quick Settings, similar to mobile operating systems like Android and iOS.

Interestingly, the newly introduced ‘Dark mode’ toggle will be found within an Energy Saver subpage in the Quick Settings menu.

The above screenshot illustrates that Microsoft is currently testing this new Energy Saver subpage in Quick Settings.

Upon selecting the Energy Saver option, users will encounter several toggles designed to minimize power consumption. This new layout parallels the Wi-Fi subpage. However, it is unexpected to find the theme toggle grouped among the energy-saving features.

Users can select the “Dark mode” toggle to activate the dark theme or revert to the light theme, which is a beneficial enhancement for usability. However, it’s important to note that accessing the Dark mode toggle requires a double tap and places it alongside other energy-saving options, such as “Power mode.”

Additional Features in Quick Settings

The new Energy Saver subpage includes three other key toggles:

Power Mode: Optimizes energy efficiency based on user preferences.
Eco Brightness: Adjusts screen brightness for improved energy savings.
Screen Contrast: Enhances battery life by optimizing display settings.

As noted by PhantomOfEarth, Microsoft will allow users to customize their Quick Settings, giving them the option to remove unwanted actions directly from the interface. This can be done by right-clicking or pressing and holding on a touchscreen to unpin features.

Unpin settings in Quick Settings on Windows 11

These enhancements to Quick Settings were introduced in Windows 11 Build 26300.796, although the timeline for wider consumer rollout remains uncertain. It’s also worth mentioning that Microsoft previously considered similar customization options for Quick Settings, but these did not move into production.

Exciting Upgrades on the Horizon: The Drag Tray Improvement

In addition to these feature enhancements, Microsoft has acknowledged and is addressing user frustrations with the Drag Tray functionality. This feature appears when dragging files to the top of the screen, allowing easy transfer to frequently utilized applications, such as WhatsApp.

Although I don’t actively use the Drag Tray since its introduction, it proves somewhat useful. It can be frustrating when trying to organize files on the desktop, as the Drag Tray often obstructs path selection for folders located near the top of the screen.

Fortunately, Microsoft is refining the Drag Tray by implementing a smaller peek view, thereby minimizing distractions during file management.

These improvements signify Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the user experience in Windows. For all users, these changes are steps toward a more streamlined and efficient operating system.

What other enhancements would you like to see in Windows? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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