To turn on dark mode in Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Personalization > Colors. Under Choose your color, select Dark. The Start menu, taskbar, Settings, File Explorer, and many apps turn dark right away.
To turn it off, choose Light in the same list. If the screen is still dark after that, see how to change a Windows 10 screen from black to white.
Applies to: Windows 10, version 1903 and later. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Turn on dark mode
- Right-click the desktop and select Personalize.
- Select Colors on the left.
- Under Choose your color, select Dark.
Use dark Windows with light apps (or the reverse)
- Under Choose your color, select Custom.
- Set Choose your default Windows mode for the Start menu and taskbar.
- Set Choose your default app mode for Settings, File Explorer, and apps.
Add an accent color
Pick a color under Choose your accent color, or check Automatically pick an accent color from my background. To color the taskbar, check Start, taskbar, and action center under Show accent color on the following surfaces. That option needs Dark or a dark Windows mode.
Turn off dark mode
Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and select Light. If only apps are dark, choose Custom and set Choose your default app mode to Light.
Apps that don’t follow dark mode
- Web browsers: Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome follow your app mode by default. Websites only go dark if they support it.
- Microsoft Office: set it separately in any Office app under File > Account > Office Theme.
- Older desktop apps: many, such as Notepad and Control Panel, stay light. Microsoft Word has its own theme setting; see how to enable dark mode in Word.
Turn on dark mode with the registry
If the Colors page is locked, for example because Windows isn’t activated, a registry change does the same thing. Back up the registry first.
- Press Windows logo key + R, type regedit, and select OK.
- Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize. - Set AppsUseLightTheme to 0 for dark apps, and SystemUsesLightTheme to 0 for a dark taskbar and Start menu. Create them as DWORD (32-bit) values if they’re missing.
- Sign out and back in. Set them back to 1 for light mode.
If you can’t turn on dark mode
- No Choose your color list: update Windows 10. Older versions only have Choose your default app mode.
- Settings are grayed out: on a work or school PC, your organization may control colors.
- High contrast is on: turn it off in Settings > Ease of Access > High contrast.
- Personalization settings are locked: Windows may not be activated. Activate it, or use the registry steps above.
Frequently asked questions
Does dark mode save battery?
A little on laptops with OLED screens. On most LCD screens the difference is small.
Can dark mode turn on automatically at night?
Not in Windows 10 settings. Night light in Settings > System > Display makes colors warmer at night, but it isn’t dark mode.
Why is File Explorer still white?
File Explorer follows the app mode. Check that Choose your default app mode is Dark, then restart File Explorer.
Does dark mode help with eye strain?
Many people find it more comfortable in a dim room, but research doesn’t show it’s better for your eyes overall. Use whichever is easier for you to read.
Will dark mode change my wallpaper?
No. Your desktop picture stays the same. Only Windows menus, windows and apps that support dark mode change color.
To give the taskbar a color instead of black, see how to change the taskbar color in Windows 10.
For more ways to personalize Windows, see how to change the wallpaper in Windows 10 and how to change your cursor in Windows 10. Microsoft’s guide is Personalize your colors in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Dark mode also makes transparency easier to see. See how to make the taskbar transparent in Windows 10.
On Windows 11, see how to turn on dark mode in Windows 11.
On Windows 11? See how to customize Windows 11, including dark mode.
Related: how to customize Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.