Although the dark mode in Windows 11 is visually appealing in concept, users often find it lacks completeness in practice. After activating it in the Settings menu, many are left surprised by the continued presence of glaringly bright app windows and inconsistent design elements throughout the system.
If you’re tired of this patchwork implementation of dark mode, there is hope. With some adjustments and the right tools, you can create a cohesive dark mode experience that Windows should ideally deliver from the outset. Drawing from my previous experience making web browsers darker, I’ve focused on ensuring that all areas of the Windows system comply with dark mode preferences.
Windows’ Dark Mode Settings Need Refinement
How to Properly Enable System-Wide Dark Mode
Activating the dark mode toggle in Windows 11’s Settings is merely the first step toward achieving full integration. Many users flick the switch, only to discover that numerous applications still display outdated, bright interfaces.
To maximize the effectiveness of dark mode, follow these steps:
- Open Settings and go to Personalization > Themes.
- Choose a dark theme, such as Windows (dark) or Glow.
- Next, navigate to Personalization > Colors and opt for a darker accent color if desired.
- Ensure that the option for “Show accent colors on title bars and window borders”is disabled.
Despite enabling dark mode, various fundamental components of Windows stubbornly retain a bright white appearance. Applications like Control Panel, Run dialog, Registry Editor, and Device Manager outright disregard your theme choices. Additionally, file operation dialogs can be blinding, displaying bright windows while performing tasks such as copying files or checking disk properties. This incompatibility is mainly due to these legacy components relying on older Windows APIs, which do not support dark mode.
Third-party applications often exhibit the same problem. Many legacy programs either fail to acknowledge system theme settings or lack dark mode support, automatically reverting to their original light interfaces regardless of the user’s preference.
Utilizing Third-Party Tools to Enforce Dark Mode
Instant Results with Dark Mode Any App
The utility Dark Mode Any App provides a robust workaround for individuals facing shortcomings with Windows 11’s native dark mode settings. This handy tool applies a dark filter to any application, including legacy software.
Using a designated hotkey (default is Alt + Q), you can instantly toggle dark mode for any focused window; the tool remembers your preferences for each application, ensuring that the dark appearance persists every time it is launched.
Here’s how to get started with Dark Mode Any App:
- Download Dark Mode Any App from its official site.
- Install and start the configurator.
- The default hotkey for toggling dark mode is Alt + Q.
- Activate Remember Dark Window Selection to save your preferences.
- Select Remember Selection on Restart to keep settings intact after restarting.
- Activate dark mode by pressing the hotkey on any stubborn app.
The application offers a 30-day free trial, after which a personal license is available for $9.95, making it an economical solution for consistent dark mode functionality.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that Dark Mode Any App is not flawless. It inverts all colors, which can distort the appearance of icons and images. While text remains legible, these visual elements may not represent their intended look, although this trade-off is often acceptable for persistent dark mode.
Automate Your Light and Dark Mode Switching
Time-Based Theme Control with Auto Dark Mode
Auto Dark Mode enhances Windows’ basic dark mode by adding an intelligent automation feature. This complimentary app from the Microsoft Store can automatically switch themes based on predefined time, location, or custom conditions. The app monitors your system and executes theme changes exactly when specified, allowing for distinct settings between system and applications.
To set up automatic dark mode switching, follow these steps:
- Download and install Auto Dark Mode from the Microsoft Store.
- Open the app and head to the Time section.
- Activate the automatic theme switching feature.
- Select your preferred timing—either custom hours or sunset-to-sunrise.
- Define your light theme start time (e.g., 7:00 AM).
- Establish your dark theme start time (e.g., 8:00 PM).
- Ensure “Start Auto Dark Mode with Windows”is enabled in the app settings.
This automation tool allows users to exercise control over when theme transitions occur, with options to prevent switching during gaming sessions or with specific applications running. Additionally, it can switch to dark mode automatically when unplugging your laptop, aiding both battery conservation and visual consistency during use.
Moreover, the Postpone control feature allows you to delay automatic switches during work, either skipping or postponing theme transitions for set time intervals. The app can also manage the appearance of accent colors and the taskbar to ensure visual coherence during each switch.
Managing Browsers and Online Content for Dark Mode
Enable Dark Themes and Extensions in Browsers
Web browsers can disrupt your dark mode experience more swiftly than any other software. Most websites default to bright white backgrounds, which creates a jarring contrast whenever switching between system windows and browser tabs.
All major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge come with built-in dark themes; however, these only alter the browser interface, not the web content displayed. I personally use Google Chrome and have found value in installing the Dark Reader extension, which effectively solves this issue by applying intelligent dark filters to all websites.
Before downloading any browser extensions, ensure they are secure and free from potential risks.
Dark Reader automatically detects the active system theme and adapts the website styling accordingly. The extension provides controls for adjusting brightness, contrast, and color temperature for individual sites. Certain websites, such as GitHub or Twitter, already possess functional dark themes, allowing me to add them to an allowed list in the extension to prevent interference with these sites that support dark mode natively. If you have already transformed Google Chrome into a minimalist platform, Dark Reader seamlessly fits into that aesthetic.
Finalizing Your Dark Mode Setup
It’s worth noting that Windows updates can reset your theme preferences. Therefore, after significant updates, check the settings in Auto Dark Mode to ensure that your automated switching functions correctly. It’s also prudent to monitor newly installed applications as they may ignore your established dark mode configurations. If any software remains resistant to dark mode, keep in mind that Dark Mode Any App can be an effective tool to handle many of these holdout applications with its inversion mechanism.
By combining correct system settings and scheduling for automation, you can create a cohesive dark experience in Windows. Still, the fact that such integrated functionality isn’t built into Windows by default is rather unfortunate.
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