Search

Switch to Dark Mode without Windows activation

If your Windows license is not activated yet (e.g., if you are still testing Windows before purchase), some color and theme customization settings will be greyed out. However, you can still switch Windows to Dark Mode with a simple edit to the Windows Registry.

  • Search for "Registry Editor" in Windows Start Menu
  • Navigate to this folder: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize\
  • Double-click on "AppsUseLightTheme" and set the value to "0" (zero). See screenshot.
  • Press Enter to save.
  • Double-click on "SystemUsesLightTheme" and set the value to 0 as well. Enter to save.

Both settings will be applied immediately without reboot. You can also create context menu shortcuts to rapidly switch between light and dark theme using the instructions in this article.