How to Turn on Windows 10 Dark Theme

Dark mode is easier on the eyes; set it up to reduce eye strain

By
Anita George
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Anita George
Writer
  • University of Georgia
  • Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Anita George is a writer who has been covering technology since 2013. Her work has appeared in Paste Magazine and she holds both B.A. and B.S. degrees.
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Updated on December 10, 2020

What to Know

  • Choose Start > Gear icon > Personalization > Colors.
  • Select Dark in the Choose your color section.

This article explains how to turn on Windows 10 Dark Theme on computers with Windows 10 and the May 2019 Update package or later. It includes information about the Night Light feature.

How to Turn on Windows 10 Dark Theme

Eye strain due to prolonged computer and smartphone use seems almost as inevitable as it is uncomfortable. Reduce eye strain by taking advantage of Windows 10's dark theme—an easy way to customize your system's color scheme and display darker tones that are easier on the eyes.

The Windows 10 dark theme (referred to as dark mode within the OS), is a simple color customization option to turn your backgrounds black and darken the overall look of your display.

  1. Select Start then select the gear icon to open Windows Settings.

  2. Select Personalization > Colors.

    Personalization

  3. Scroll down to the Choose your color section, then select Dark.

    Different versions of Windows 10 use slightly different language in the Colors box, including Select your default app mode.

    Choose your color

Not all aspects of Windows 10 will flip to dark mode. File Explorer, for example, still uses the default color scheme, and non-Microsoft apps usually need their own dark themes enabled. Expect the Windows 10 dark theme to be automatically applied to settings menus, and apps like Microsoft Store, Mail, or Calculator.

Night Light

Although a dark theme helps with eyestrain in low-light conditions, Windows also includes a tool called Night Light that gradually shifts the color spectrum of the display toward warmer colors. By reducing the relative level of blue light in favor of red light, a light-theme display also reduces eyestrain. Night Light, once set, automatically turns on and off—slowly fading in and out—at sunset and sunrise.

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