How to activate dark theme in Windows 10

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

All Windows users fall into two categories. Some are content with the design of the operating system proposed by the developer and never even change the wallpaper on the desktop. Others, right after installation, begin to customize everything for themselves and completely transform the interface in accordance with their tastes. It is to them that this article is addressed, which tells how to activate the dark theme hidden in Windows 10.

Before we start, we want to warn you that any operations with the Windows registry are potentially dangerous. Although the trick described below is extremely simple and has been tested many times, we still recommend that you be very careful and back up the registry and important data beforehand.

Well, now that the formalities have been met, let's start the magic. To activate the dark theme built into Windows 10, you will need to follow these steps.

1. Click on the search icon on the toolbar and enter the word Regedit. Click on the topmost result. You will launch the Registry Editor program.

2. Locate the folder at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Themes / Personalize in the left pane.

3. If you do not have such a section, then you need to create it. To do this, right-click on the Themes section and select the "New" → "Section" line in the context menu. Name it Personalize.

4. Now right-click on the Personalize folder and create a new key ("New" → "DWORD Parameter (32 bit)"). Name it AppsUseLightTheme.

5. The key we have created is automatically assigned the value "0". This is what we need, so we should not change it.

6. Go to the registry key at HKEY_CURRENT_USER / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion / Themes / Personalize.

7. In this section you need to perform all the same actions as in the previous one. That is, open the Personalize folder (if it is missing, then create it), and then create a new key called AppsUseLightTheme. Its value must also be "0".

8. Log out of the system. To do this, click on your avatar in the "Start" menu and select the "Exit" command. The new design settings will take effect after you log in again.

That's all. Now you can admire the dark colors of the settings windows, the app store, and some other built-in Windows programs. Unfortunately, this theme does not apply to third-party applications, so, alas, there will be no global transformation.

To return to the light theme, you will need to start the registry editor again and change the value of the keys you created from "0" to "1".

Do you like black Windows or white is more familiar?