As you work on your Windows computer, the brightness of your surroundings changes regularly. To keep the contents readable at all times, you can adjust the screen brightness with Windows . But this operating system offers an additional function which guarantees you optimal readability especially in dark work environments . Windows 10 dark theme displays windows and menu items in a dark color . This display is easy on your eyes while saving battery power as the screen consumes less. Bonus: the black elements are much more elegant, unlike the preset white. We explain three ways to activate the dark theme of Windows 10.
- Method 1: manage the dark theme of Windows 10 via the parameters
- Method 2: enable / disable Windows 10 dark theme via registry
- Method 3: use third party software to manage dark theme
Method 1: manage Windows 10 dark theme via settings
L The settings app is the fastest and easiest option to turn Windows 10 dark mode on or off. This section allows you to adjust the most important Windows 10 settings with just a few clicks, such as the language of Windows 10. display, screen de standby or sound settings. Follow our step-by-step instructions to activate the dark theme of Windows 10 in the Personalization section.
Note
This method is only available from Windows 10 version 1607 .
Step 1: open the settings app
To open the settings app, type the corresponding name in the search box on the taskbar . Select the corresponding search result in the left menu (left click) or click in the right area on the option "Open".
Open the settings app with taskbar search.
Tip
The shortcut Button [Windows] + [i] allows you to open the settings application withoutgo through the search bar.
Step 2: open the "Colors" tab in the "Personalization" section
Now select the item "Personalization in Windows settings with a left click. The corresponding window opens.
Selectz the “Personalization” section in the Windows settings.
You can also access this window with a right click on the desktop then by selecting the option "Customize in the contextual menu .
You can also open the customization section from the desktop context menu.
Choose the “ Colors ”tab to access Windows 10 color organization setting options.
In the "Couleurs ”, you have among other things the possibility to activate the dark theme of Windows 10.
Step 3: Activate Windows 10 Dark Theme
To activate the dark theme of Windows 10, click on the drop-down menu " Choose your color " and select the option " dark ". The system d The operation immediately takes your setting into account, activates dark mode and displays the relevant elements in black or gray accordingly. If you want to turn off the Windows 10 dark theme later, choose the "light" option in that same menu.
Activate the Windows 10 dark theme on the "Choose your color" drop-down menu.
Step 4: set other parameters
You can also choose an accent color . If you define this personalization parameter yourself, Windows accentuates certain elements in the chosen color. When you have made your choice, the chosen color will be indicated by a check mark in the upper right corner . Scroll down the menuto apply this color to other areas, for example the start button, taskbar or information center.
Customize Windows 10 dark theme with accent color on some elements.
Method 2: Enable / Disable Windows 10 Dark Theme via the register
IF you are using an older version of Windows 10 , the option to activate the dark theme through the settings app is often not available. In this case, you can also enable or disable the dark theme using the registry. Use the standard registry editor , which many users know as “regedit”.
Step 1: Open the "Run" dialog
Open the “Run” dialog box from the start menu or by pressing the [Windows] + [R] button. Type the name " regedit " in the field and confirm by clicking "OK".
Type the name" regedit "in the" Run "dialog box.
If the software asks you for permission to make changes, confirm by clicking “OK.” You then go to the registry editor .
Step 2: Open Windows 10 dark theme path
The Windows registry is a configuration database. In the left area, Regedit gives you access to all the contents of this database, just as you are used to with the configuration manager. Windows files. Then choose the drop-down menu "HKEY_Current_User". Then follow the following path :
. Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Themes Personalize
Advice
Copy the path" Computer HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Themes Personalize "with the key combination [Ctrl] +[C] and paste it with [Ctrl] + [V] in the address bar of the registry editor to go directly to the registry entry corresponding to the dark theme of Windows 10.
Open the path specified in the registry editor.
Step 3: activate Windows 10 dark theme
Once the entry is open, right-click on the empty space in the right-hand area. The“ New ”context menu will open. Choose the option “ DWORD value ( 32-Bit) ”.
Create a new value in the 'registry editor. figcaption>
When you select this option, a new value appears in the list .
A new value appears in the registry editor.
Give this new value the name AppsUseLightTheme ". Open it by double clicking on it. Check that the entered value is "0. Zero means "No" and deactivates the clear mode. If the value is not correct, modify it accordingly and confirm your entry by clicking on "OK" . You have activated the dark theme of Windows 10.
The value "0" activates the dark theme of Windows 10.
Tip
To deactivate later Windows 10 dark theme, change the value of the registry entry "AppsUseLightTheme" to read "1".
Method 3: use third-party software to manage the dark theme
If you frequently switch between themes, dark or light, the registry method is too laborious. If you do not have the option to enable dark theme in the system settings, it is recommended that you install suitable software . So even on wormsearlier versions of Windows, you will be able to easily switch from dark theme to light theme, and vice versa. You save yourself the hassle of the Registry Editor. Here are two free tools to accomplish this.
Easy Dark Mode
The free Easy Dark Mode tool allows you to switch between themes. other ("light" or "dark") in a few clicks. The optional control button has an adjustable size and is displayed in front of all other windows. In addition, the software allows you to activate or deactivate the dark theme on Chrome (from version 74) and Firefox (from version 63).
Windows 10 Dark Theme Activator
Another free alternative , the Windows 10 Dark ThemeActivator also allows you to easily activate and deactivate the dark theme of Windows 10. The only downside of this tool is that it requires login or logout of its users to change mode.