Dark File Explorer With a Light Taskbar in Windows 11
Set a dark taskbar with a light File Explorer, or the reverse, in Windows 11 using the Custom color mode, plus accent colors and apps that ignore the setting.
Key takeaway
Set Colors to Custom and give Windows and apps different modes.
In this article7 sections · 5 min read
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Windows 11 lets you choose one look for Windows itself, meaning the taskbar and Start menu, and another look for apps like File Explorer, Settings and many others. So you can have a dark taskbar with a light File Explorer, or the other way round. No extra software is needed.
I like a dark taskbar with light apps, because the taskbar stays calm while documents and folders stay easy to read. Here is how to set it up.
Windows mode and app mode, in plain words
Windows 11 has two separate color settings:
- Windows mode controls the parts of Windows you always see: the taskbar, the Start menu, the notification center and the quick settings panel.
- App mode controls the windows you open: File Explorer, Settings, and any app that follows the Windows theme, such as Notepad, Calculator and many browsers.
When Choose your mode is set to Light or Dark, both follow the same setting. The Custom option lets you set them separately.
Where the setting lives
Personalize, Colors, Custom
- Right-click desktop
- Personalize
- Colors
- Choose your mode: Custom
Steps
- Right-click the desktop and choose Personalize.
- Pick the theme or wallpaper you like.
- Click Colors.
- Next to Choose your mode, select Custom.
- Set Choose your default Windows mode to Dark (dark taskbar and Start) or Light.
- Set Choose your default app mode to the opposite. Light gives a white File Explorer, Dark gives a dark one.
The change happens immediately, so you can try both options and see what you prefer.
Two combinations that look great
- Dark wallpaper and taskbar with a light File Explorer: Windows mode Dark, app mode Light.
- Light wallpaper and taskbar with a dark File Explorer: Windows mode Light, app mode Dark.
Two looks
Pick your combination
Add an accent color
On the same Colors page, scroll to Accent color. You can let Windows pick a color from your wallpaper automatically, or choose one yourself. If Windows mode is Dark, you can also turn on Show accent color on Start and taskbar, which tints the taskbar with your chosen color. It is a subtle way to make the setup feel personal.
Why some apps do not change
Not every app follows the Windows app mode. Some apps, such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Discord and Spotify, have their own theme setting inside the app. If an app stays dark or light after you change the mode, look in that app's own settings for Appearance or Theme.
Some browsers, including Chrome and Edge, follow the Windows app mode by default, but you can override it inside the browser settings.
Schedule light and dark automatically
Windows 11 does not have a built-in schedule that switches between light and dark mode at sunset. If you want that, free apps such as Auto Dark Mode can switch the modes for you at set times.
The short version
Open Personalize, then Colors, set Choose your mode to Custom, and give Windows mode and app mode different settings. Dark Windows with light apps gives a calm taskbar and readable folders. You can switch back any time from the same menu.
