Windows 11’s Inconsistent Dark Mode Problem May Finally Get Fixed This Year

Earlier this month, Microsoft promised some big plans to fix Windows 11 from scratch and roll out some of the most-demanded features, like a customizable Taskbar. However, there is one area of Windows 11 that many users wish would get consistent as they would have liked. Here, we are talking about dark mode across Windows 11.

No doubt, Microsoft is doing its part and updating elements of Windows 11 with dark mode. However, its consistency across the OS is one that requires immediate attention from the company.

One of the prime examples of this is legacy pop-ups like the Properties tab. Microsoft seems well aware of that and is reportedly working on updating the Properties tab with dark mode soon.

Windows 11 dark mode expansion could cover Registry Editor, Properties tab, and other legacy elements

The news comes via Windows Latest, which spotted a reply on X by Marcus Ash, CVP Design and Research for Windows + Devices. Ash, in reply to a developer, Albacore, and Zac Bowden from Windows Central, said the company is developing tools to bring dark mode to other areas of Windows 11.

There’s no official announcement on which elements of Windows 11 would get the treatment first. However, Ash says that Registry Editor is among the areas Microsoft is looking to update with dark mode. Here’s exactly what Marcus Ash said in his reply:

We are pushing to get our tools/techniques to the point where we can get dark theme into more areas across Windows. No timelines to commit to yet for Regedit. As we make progress in various legacy system panels/dialogs, we will keep improving consistency.

Third-party apps still lag behind in dark mode adoption

That being said, Ash also notes that third-party tabs have yet to adopt dark theme support. So, it’s best not to expect every area of Windows 11 to adopt a dark theme just yet. As for third-party tabs, the implementation of dark theme is entirely the developer’s choice. Microsoft doesn’t have any plans to force them to support dark themes.

Third-party tabs that haven’t adopted dark theme support will render in light. We’re focused on improving platform support to make dark mode easier for developers to adopt across their tabs. Send me examples of any third-party tabs, and we’ll follow up.

Other improvements planned across Windows 11

Speaking of Windows 11, let’s not forget that Microsoft plans a major Windows 11 update overhaul with more user control. We have a separate coverage on this topic; you can check it here. As of now, Microsoft hasn’t detailed when these improvements will be rolled out.

Notably, most of these improvements are expected later this year. Moreover, the company is also working to improve the performance of Windows 11 and lower RAM usage down the line. All that said, good days for Windows 11 users are seemingly on the way.

As for other improvements, Microsoft plans to enhance Search with more accurate and relevant results.