How to let PowerToys handle your theme-switching on Windows 11 — light mode for work, dark mode for vibes

Windows 11 includes a wide range of traditional and AI-powered features with plenty of customization options. However, one capability has been notably missing, which is the option to switch between light and dark modes automatically. Microsoft is finally addressing this limitation, though not as a built-in feature.

Alongside long-requested additions like the ability to move the Taskbar to the top of the screen, users have also been asking for a way to change the system color mode automatically.

If you're one of those users, you can now do it using the new "Light Switch" feature available in the PowerToys app.

PowerToys is a free collection of advanced utilities from Microsoft designed to help power users enhance productivity and customize the operating system experience. Among its many tools, the Light Switch utility lets you automatically toggle between Light Mode and Dark Mode on Windows 11.

You can schedule the switch for specific times or sync it with your local sunrise and sunset. The feature also gives you control over whether the mode change applies to the entire system, supported apps, or both.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to leverage the PowerToys app to bring auto color switching to Windows 11.

How to switch between system color modes on Windows 11

To schedule when the operating system should switch between the dark and light modes, you have to install PowerToys and configure the feature:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

• Quick note: If your computer already has the app, you can skip to step 5.

3. Type the following command to install the latest version of the tool and press Enter: winget install --id Microsoft.PowerToys

4. Open Start.
5. Search for PowerToys and open the app.
6. Click on System Tools.
7. Click on Light Switch.
8. Turn on the "Enable Light Switch" toggle switch.

9. (Option 1) Choose the "Sunset or sunrise" option in the "Mode" setting to schedule an automatic switch between the dark and light modes based on your location.

10. Click the Location button to allow the app to determine your approximate location.
11. Use the Offset option to set the number of minutes to trigger the switch earlier or later (if applicable).
12. (Option 2) Select the "Manual" option in the "Mode" setting.
13. Confirm the schedule to turn the light mode on or off manually.

11. (Optional) Select how the feature changes color modes for the system or system and apps using the "Apply dark mode to" setting under the "Behavior" section.

Once you complete the steps, PowerToys will change the color system mode, depending on your computer configuration.

If you want to switch system color modes on demand, PowerToys also offers a keyboard shortcut. The default shortcut is "Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + D," but from the "Shortcuts" settings on the Light Switch page, you can assign virtually any key combo.

FAQs about automating light and dark color modes

These are common questions regarding the PowerToys' Light Switch feature for Windows 11.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

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