Windows 10 Explorer Dark Theme

Adding a dark theme to operating systems is a recent trend. Microsoft has long introduced a dark theme for applications into the Windows 10 operating system. But with the October update, the developers decided to go further and implement a dark theme for all system elements, including Explorer. Activating the dark theme in Windows 10 radically changes the perception of the system and is well suited for users who work at the computer at night with the lights off.

Table of contents:

How to Enable Dark Explorer Theme in Windows 10 Through Options

All new operating room options Windows systems 10, which are designed for the mass user, Microsoft adds to the main list of parameters. Personalization options are of interest to a large number of users, so the ways to change them are as simple as possible.

To enable the dark theme of Explorer through “Settings”, you need to click on the gear in the “Start” menu or run Windows settings using the key combination Win+I. Next, select the “Personalization” option from the available sections.

Go to the “Colors” subsection on the left side of the window. Here you need to set “Select default app mode” to “Dark” option.

After this, restart your computer or .

How to enable the dark theme of Explorer in Windows 10 through the registry

The above method to enable dark theme in Windows 10 through options is very simple. But not everyone can use it. The fact is that Microsoft prohibits Windows personalization settings for users who have not activated their version operating system. That is, these are users who downloaded the licensed Windows version 10 from the Microsoft website, after which they installed it and did not pay. For such users, personalization settings are closed, but nothing prevents them from enabling the dark theme of Explorer through the registry.

To activate the dark theme in Windows 10 through the registry, do the following:

  1. Launch Registry Editor. It can be launched through a search or using the regedit command in the “Run” line;
  2. With Registry Editor open, follow the path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Themes\ Personalize

Important: If the specified section does not have the AppsUseLightTheme parameter, you will need to create it. To do this, click right click mice in any free space section, then select “New” - “DWORD Value (32 bit)”. Create a parameter called AppsUseLightTheme, and then give it the value “0”.

If the changes do not take effect immediately, you will need to restart Explorer or restart your computer.

How to Enable High Contrast Mode in Windows 10

Another way to personalize Windows 10 in an unusual way is to enable High Contrast mode. It is presented in Windows 10 by default in 4 variants, each of which offers the user the maximum contrasting colors, which can be useful if you have problems with the perception of information.

There are two ways to enable high contrast mode:


Please note: When enabling High Contrast mode, it is recommended to enable dark theme. This is necessary so that as many applications as possible have dark colors by default. Additionally, some applications may require additional extensions. For example, when activating the high contrast mode Google browser Chrome offers to download a special extension.

It's no secret that Dark Mode is very convenient when working in low light conditions. Operating systems, smartphones, and popular apps already have a dark theme or night mode to help users use their devices without straining their eyes in low-light conditions.

Windows 10 is no exception and recently also provides users with the opportunity to enable dark mode; the dark theme is available not only for applications. You can apply a dark theme to Windows Explorer.

Starting with Windows 10 version 1809 (October 2018 Update), you can enable Dark Theme for File Explorer. In short, you can now change the conductor color to black, without using third party applications. For many users, it would be nice if Microsoft offered a dark gray color instead of (or in addition to) the current black.

Here's how to turn on black for File Explorer in Windows 10.

Note: To enable dark mode for File Explorer, you must be running Windows 10 version 1809 or higher. To check assembly information, enter winver.exe in the Start menu search box and press Enter.

Step 1. Open the application "Options", most quick way press two keys Win + I, or click on the gear icon in the menu "Start".

Step 2. Go to section “Personalization” → “Colors”.

Step 3. Scroll to the bottom and select Application Mode "Dark" default. This is it!

You should immediately see a dark theme in Settings and Windows Explorer. You don't need to restart File Explorer or your computer.

On this moment There's no way to apply dark mode to just File Explorer without changing the colors of apps and settings.

Do you like the black theme for Windows 10 Explorer? Share with us in the comments below.

In the fall update to Windows 10 Redstone 5, Microsoft will introduce a dark version of the Explorer interface. This version of the system is expected in October. File Explorer doesn't get new features or changes very often appearance. The most recent addition was in 2012. So the new dark version has great importance. Let's see what she looks like.


Like most Windows applications 10, the dark Explorer interface is activated using a switch in the Settings program. Once activated, the conductor turns dark. This applies to the title bar and tabs. The remaining interface elements become dark gray, reducing eye strain.


Even the context menu inside File Explorer and on the desktop has a dark option. This makes classic context menus look more connected to modern ones context menus universal applications when dark mode is activated. Such a development had been expected since emergence of Windows 10 in 2015.

Not only good news


At first glance, the dark conductor seems cool. It looks good and still functions well. However, if we look at the issue deeper, the situation is not so favorable. For example, no associated dialog boxes became dark. For example, when you copy and paste files or view their properties, a blinding white window appears.

Several bugs were also noticed. Sometimes the dark interface is not fully enabled; some elements remain white. There are some interface issues when navigating back from Control Panel to File Explorer. White flashes are visible when switching between folders and the dividers in the sidebar also remain white.


You can see other Explorer windows, such as the Control Panel, where not all items are darkened. Microsoft is gradually retiring the Control Panel, along with the old Explorer windows associated with it. For now they remain in the system and it is necessary that they do not stand out from the background.

There are still a few weeks of development left and there is time to correct the situation and solve problems. However, Microsoft announced that the dark version of Explorer is almost ready. In light of this, we can no longer expect significant changes.

Apart from these minor problems, the dark conductor looks great. When there are no whites on top of it dialog boxes, the interface seems complete and seamless. Microsoft is finally committed to ensuring system consistency, even across desktop applications.

Development of Redstone 5, new Windows updates 10, which will be released this fall, is almost complete and Microsoft will spend the next few weeks fixing bugs.

One of the features in new version The operating system will have a long-awaited dark theme for Explorer, but you can find out what it looks like now by installing a trial version of Windows 10 build 17733 or later.

Is the dark design of Explorer completely ready? Microsoft says yes

The press release that was issued to mark the release of Windows 10 preview build 17733 reads:

Today's build marks a turning point because we finished what we wanted to do with this update.

Microsoft says it is working on dark theme Explorer has reached the finish line and starting with build 17733 we can see the final result of this work.

At first glance, everything is in perfect order.

Context menus have been brought into line with the dark design.

The first “anomaly” is detected when copying files and folders.

A similar flaw can be seen when changing information about folders and files...

...or when adding a network resource, or when printing images.


If you decide to open the file in a program other than the standard one, you will again see a light design instead of a dark one.

Some icons also need updating: the Open button is an obvious example.

In actual Windows build 10 Build 17738 the situation has not changed one iota. Today it looks like this: