Enable Dark Mode for Apps Using Regedit

This guide explains how to enable dark mode for Windows system applications using the Registry Editor (Regedit). By modifying a specific registry key, you can bypass the standard Windows Settings interface to force your system and supported applications into dark mode.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
  3. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

Step 2: Navigate to the Personalize Key

In the Registry Editor, use the left sidebar to navigate to the following path, or copy and paste it into the address bar at the top:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize

Step 3: Modify the App Theme Value

  1. Locate the DWORD (32-bit) value named AppsUseLightTheme in the right-hand pane.
  2. If the value does not exist, right-click an empty area in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AppsUseLightTheme.
  3. Double-click AppsUseLightTheme.
  4. Set the Value data field to 0 to enable dark mode (setting it to 1 enables light mode).
  5. Click OK.

Step 4: (Optional) Enable Dark Mode for the System UI

To apply dark mode to the taskbar, Start menu, and notification center as well: 1. In the same Personalize folder, locate or create another DWORD (32-bit) value named SystemUsesLightTheme. 2. Double-click SystemUsesLightTheme, set the Value data to 0, and click OK.

Step 5: Apply Changes

The changes typically take effect immediately. If your applications do not switch to dark mode right away, restart File Explorer via the Task Manager or restart your computer.