If you appreciate the soothing effects of Windows’ dark mode, particularly its ability to alleviate eye strain, there’s promising news on the horizon. Microsoft is currently testing an enhanced dark mode experience that extends to operating system dialog notifications. This means that notification popups—such as those for copying files, access denials, and deleting multiple items—will soon feature a dark mode user interface.
This development was noted by Windows Insiders who have been testing Windows 11 build 26100.5061, released on August 14. However, it’s important to mention that this feature is not yet universally accessible to all testers, as the code remains concealed within the operating system’s files.
Advanced testers, who frequently delve into OS files for new code, have managed to identify and enable these features using specialized tools. Among these, a tool named ViVeTool has been recommended for those eager to experiment with the new functionality. Caution is advised, however, as using such tools can come with risks.
Since its introduction in 2016, Microsoft’s dark mode feature has been a welcome addition; yet, many areas of Windows have continued to operate in light mode, even when users opt for the darker aesthetic. This suggests that a fully integrated dark mode experience may still be a distant goal, even with the upcoming release of this feature. Testers have already noted that certain UI elements, such as buttons, may not transition to dark mode.
While enthusiasm for the new feature is palpable among some users, others have voiced frustration over the prolonged timeline for a cohesive dark mode experience throughout Windows. One user expressed disbelief at Microsoft’s inability to deliver a modern, fluent, and consistent user interface, especially when competitors like Huawei have developed their Harmony OS in a fraction of the time, surpassing Windows in various aspects.
In contrast to Apple’s macOS, which boasts a seamless dark mode across all facets of its operating system, there is hope that Microsoft will heed user feedback and strive for a more uniform dark mode implementation across every application, window, and element within Windows. For now, we can anticipate the forthcoming dark mode for file operation dialogs, albeit as a modest step forward in the ongoing evolution of the operating system.
