Windows 11 is set to introduce a feature that many users have long desired: the ability to automatically switch between light and dark themes based on the time of day. Currently, users must navigate through Settings > Personalisation > Colours to manually select their preferred theme. However, with the upcoming PowerToys module, this process will soon become automated.
Microsoft has confirmed that it is testing this new PowerToys utility, which is expected to be available by October 2025. While this feature may not be revolutionary, it has been one of the most requested enhancements among Windows users. Other operating systems, such as macOS, already offer similar functionality, allowing users to seamlessly transition to dark mode in the evening and revert to light mode in the morning.
Although the specifics of Microsoft’s integration remain to be seen, it is anticipated that PowerToys will allow users to set custom hours or utilize location services to determine sunset and sunrise times. Geographic coordinates may also play a role in this functionality.
For those who may not wish to use PowerToys, the inclusion of this feature suggests a potential future where it becomes a native part of Windows 11, similar to other tools that have transitioned from PowerToys to core features. A notable example is the native text extractor (OCR) that is being developed for the Win + Shift + S shortcut in Windows 11, which originally debuted with PowerToys.
As we await the official rollout of this feature, several third-party applications can already provide similar functionality. One standout option is “Auto Dark Mode,” which was recognized as the best app in the Microsoft Store in 2022.
Can you use Task Scheduler to change the Windows 11 theme automatically?
In the meantime, users can leverage Task Scheduler to create a task that automatically switches between light and dark themes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving this on any version of Windows. For safety, it’s advisable to create a system restore point before proceeding.
- Open Search and type in Task Scheduler. In the tool, click Create Task from the right sidebar. Name the task something recognizable, such as “Enable Light Theme.”
- Navigate to the Trigger tab and select “Daily” under Settings. Choose your desired start time. Since it’s set to Daily, you only need to adjust the time.
- Next, go to the Actions tab and add a new program/script. Type “reg” in the field (do not browse).
- In the “Add Arguments (Optional)” section, enter the following registry value to enable the light theme:
- Click OK, but keep the window open. Return to the Actions tab and add another action. Repeat the previous steps, but this time use the following registry value:
add "HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionThemesPersonalize" /v SystemUsesLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
add "HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionThemesPersonalize" /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
The goal of these actions is to automatically activate the light theme at a specified time. To set the dark mode, repeat the process by creating a new task with the following registry values:
add "HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionThemesPersonalize" /v SystemUsesLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
add "HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionThemesPersonalize" /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
By following these steps, users can effectively automate the transition between light and dark modes at their preferred times. With Microsoft’s PowerToys on the horizon, the hope remains that this dynamic theme-switching feature will eventually become a standard offering in Windows 11.
