Windows 11 users have recently found themselves in a perplexing situation as their theme settings unexpectedly fluctuate between light and dark modes. This peculiar behavior has been traced back to a known issue stemming from PowerToys v0.95, prompting Microsoft to investigate the matter further.
One user shared their experience in a GitHub bug report, stating, “My Windows theme color mode kept getting forcibly changed every 30 seconds. It took me nearly an hour to troubleshoot, and I even suspected a Windows component was malfunctioning.” Such frustrations highlight the unintended consequences of software updates, particularly when they disrupt user preferences.
If you find yourself grappling with this issue, a simple solution is at hand. Navigate to PowerToys > System Tools and ensure that the Light Switch feature is disabled.
How Microsoft accidentally changed the themes of all Windows 11 PCs using PowerToys?
PowerToys, an open-source application designed to enhance the Windows experience with various modules, typically keeps its features disabled by default following updates. However, this protocol was overlooked on October 16, when Microsoft released PowerToys v0.95, introducing a feature known as ‘Light Switch.’
This feature is intended to automatically toggle between dark and light modes based on local time or a customized sunrise and sunset schedule. While many users have requested such functionality, it is not universally desired, particularly among those who prefer a consistent theme. This oversight has led to significant user disruption, as PowerToys inadvertently activated a feature that many did not want.
Reports indicate that the system will automatically revert to the opposite theme of the user’s preference. For instance, if a user favors dark mode, the system will switch to light mode, and vice versa. Even manual adjustments made through Windows Settings > Personalization > Colors are overridden by PowerToys, further complicating the user experience.
Microsoft has acknowledged this error, clarifying that it never intended for the Light Switch feature to be enabled by default. In a GitHub post, a Microsoft developer stated, “We never intended to have Light Switch be turned on by default – this is actually a bug, and we are working on a fix rolling out ASAP. Thanks for reporting, and sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”
Dear Microsoft, please be careful with your updates
While PowerToys is not a native application, its popularity has led to millions of downloads, with many users relying on it daily. The activation of a feature that alters system themes without user consent can lead to chaos and confusion. Users may question whether the erratic behavior is due to malware, a Windows update, or some other issue. In this instance, the culprit was simply a PowerToys module.
For those affected, disabling the Light Switch feature in PowerToys is a temporary remedy. However, this incident serves as a crucial reminder for Microsoft regarding the implications of silent updates. The recent October 2025 Update for Windows 11 has already been plagued with bugs, affecting various functionalities, including localhost, File Explorer’s Preview pane, and input devices in the Windows Recovery Environment. Now, the addition of another bug related to PowerToys adds to the growing list of concerns.
