How to set dark theme in file explorer in windows 10

Adding a dark theme to operating systems is a recent trend. Long time ago Microsoft has a dark theme for applications introduced in Windows 10. But with the October update number 1809, developers decided to move forward and implement a dark theme for all system elements, including File Explorer. Activating a dark theme in Windows 10 dramatically changes perception of the system and is well suited for those users who work at their computers at night with lights off.

Table of contents:
1. How to enable the dark Explorer theme in Windows 10 through parameters
2. How to enable the dark Explorer theme in Windows 10 through the registry
3. How to enable high contrast mode in Windows 10

How to enable the dark explorer theme in windows 10 through parameters

Microsoft is adding all new Windows 10 options designed for the mass user to the main list of parameters. Personalization options are interesting to a large number of users, so their configuring is usually quite simple.

In order to set dark theme for the File Explorer through “Options”, you need to click the mouse gear inside “Start” menu or launch Windows settings using the Win + I keys combination. Next, from all available options select “Personalization”.

Go to “Colors” subsection at the left part of the window. Here you need to set “Choose your app mode” to “Dark” option.

After that, restart your computer or restart File Explorer.

How to enable the dark explorer theme in windows 10 through the registry

Method that we had described above – enabling the dark theme in Windows 10 through the parameters – is very simple. But not everyone can use it. The fact is that Microsoft prohibits Windows customization settings for those users who have not activated their version of the operating system. We are talking here about those users who downloaded the licensed version of Windows 10 from the Microsoft website, after which they installed it and did not pay. For such users, the personalization settings are closed, but nothing prevents them from setting the dark theme for File Explorer through registry.

To activate the dark theme in Windows 10 through registry, follow these steps:

1. Run Registry Editor. It can be run through the search or by using the regedit command in the “Run” line;
2. Open the registry editor and follow this path:

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

3. In the Personalize folder, double-click on the AppsUseLightTheme parameter and set it to “0”.

Important: If the AppsUseLightTheme parameter is missing in the specified section, you will need to create it. To do this, right-click in any free space of the section, and then select “New” – “DWORD Parameter (32 bits)”. Create a parameter with the name AppsUseLightTheme, and then assign the “0” value to it.

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

How to enable high contrast mode in windows 10

Another way to personalize Windows 10 is to enable high contrast mode. It is presented in Windows 10 by default in 4 versions. Each of those versions offers the most contrasting colors, which can be useful if there are problems with the perception of information.

There are two ways to enable high contrast mode:

• Press 4 keys simultaneously on the keyboard: Ctrl + Shift + PrtSc.
• More detailed. You need to go to Windows 10 parameters and go to the “Ease of Access” section. In the left part of the screen select the “High Contrast” subsection, and activate the slider to enable the mode. After turning on the high contrast mode, parameters will allow you to edit the colors mode. There is a choice of 4 themes provided by default, or you can just adjust colors the way you like it.