Dark Theme For Windows 81 (2026)

To fix the common drawbacks of custom themes, you should install a few companion tools:

You can manually edit the registry to change the default appearance mode for some modern (Store) apps and parts of the Windows shell.

A darker take on the classic Windows glass look. Step C: Install the Theme Download your chosen theme and extract the files. Copy the files into C:\Windows\Resources\Themes . dark theme for windows 81

For users prioritizing a safe, supported dark mode experience, upgrading to (which include Settings → Personalization → Colors → Dark mode) is strongly recommended.

Use a tool like OldNewExplorer to modify File Explorer's appearance, allowing for better compatibility with dark themes. Summary Checklist for a Fully Dark Windows 8.1 [ ] Installed UXStyle. [ ] Applied a dark system theme from DeviantArt. [ ] Changed Taskbar color to black in Personalize . [ ] Set Start Screen to a dark wallpaper. To fix the common drawbacks of custom themes,

Move your mouse to the bottom-right corner of the screen to open the Charms Bar, then click . Click on Personalize .

Windows 8.1 File Explorer does not support custom background colors without third-party tools. Workaround: (by Tihiy) – can force dark listview backgrounds. Copy the files into C:\Windows\Resources\Themes

The modern Start Screen and its accompanying system apps (like PC Settings) use a separate personalization engine from the classic desktop. You can manually set these components to a dark color palette. How to Darken the Start Screen: Press the to view the Start Screen.

: