Personalization Add "Choose Light or Dark Mode" Context Menu in Windows 11


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This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Choose Light or Dark Mode desktop context menu for all users in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Windows 11 supports two color modes: light and dark. Each mode consists of a set of neutral color values that are automatically adjusted to ensure optimal contrast.

In both light and dark color modes, darker colors indicate background surfaces of less importance. Important surfaces are highlighted with lighter and brighter colors.

The Dark mode has colors that are designed to work well in a low-lit environment. This option is for the Start menu, taskbar, and action center.

The Light mode is designed to work well during daylight hours. If you choose this option, you’ll be able to Show accent color on title bars and windows borders. Selecting light for Choose your default Windows mode will gray out and disable Show accent color on Start and taskbar.

See also:

If you switch between light and dark mode often, then adding the Choose Light or Dark Mode desktop context menu can make it easier to choose your default windows mode and app mode on demand.

While you must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove this context menu, all users can use this context menu.



EXAMPLE: "Choose Light or Dark Mode" context menu

It is required to click/tap on Show more options first by default, then click/tap on Choose Light or Dark Mode.


Show_more_options.png
Choose_Light_or_Dark_Mode_context_menu.png



Here's How:

1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.

2 Add "Choose Light or Dark Mode" to Desktop context menu

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Add_Choose_Light_or_Dark_Mode_to_desktop_context_menu.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode]
"Icon"="themecpl.dll,-1"
"MUIVerb"="Choose Light or Dark Mode"
"Position"="Bottom"
"SubCommands"=""


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppANDWindowsMode]
"MUIVerb"="App and Windows mode"
"SubCommands"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppANDWindowsMode\shell\001flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Light"
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5411"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppANDWindowsMode\shell\001flyout\command]
@="cmd /s /c \"Reg Add HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f & Reg Add HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize /v SystemUsesLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f & taskkill /f /im explorer.exe  & start explorer.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppANDWindowsMode\shell\002flyout]
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5412"
"MUIVerb"="Dark"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppANDWindowsMode\shell\002flyout\command]
@="cmd /s /c \"Reg Add HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f & Reg Add HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize /v SystemUsesLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f & taskkill /f /im explorer.exe  & start explorer.exe\""


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppMode]
"MUIVerb"="App mode"
"SubCommands"=""
"CommandFlags"=dword:00000020

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppMode\shell\001flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Light"
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5411"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppMode\shell\001flyout\command]
@="cmd /s /c \"Reg Add HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f & taskkill /f /im explorer.exe  & start explorer.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppMode\shell\002flyout]
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5412"
"MUIVerb"="Dark"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\AppMode\shell\002flyout\command]
@="cmd /s /c \"Reg Add HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f & taskkill /f /im explorer.exe  & start explorer.exe\""


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\WindowsMode]
"MUIVerb"="Windows mode"
"SubCommands"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\WindowsMode\shell\001flyout]
"MUIVerb"="Light"
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5411"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\WindowsMode\shell\001flyout\command]
@="cmd /s /c \"Reg Add HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize /v SystemUsesLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f & taskkill /f /im explorer.exe  & start explorer.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\WindowsMode\shell\002flyout]
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5412"
"MUIVerb"="Dark"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode\shell\WindowsMode\shell\002flyout\command]
@="cmd /s /c \"Reg Add HKCU\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize /v SystemUsesLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f & taskkill /f /im explorer.exe  & start explorer.exe\""

3 Remove "Choose Light or Dark Mode" from Desktop context menu

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Remove_Choose_Light_or_Dark_Mode_from_desktop_context_menu.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DesktopBackground\Shell\ChooseMode]

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

  • Personlization.png
    Personlization.png
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  • Remove_Choose_Light_or_Dark_Mode_from_desktop_context_menu.reg
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  • Add_Choose_Light_or_Dark_Mode_to_desktop_context_menu.reg
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Last edited:
thanks admin, can you merge 2 optional into 1?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
thanks admin, can you merge 2 optional into 1?

Hello, and welcome. :-)

I'm not quite sure what you mean by merge 2 optional into 1. Please provide some more specifics.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Hello, and welcome. :-)

I'm not quite sure what you mean by merge 2 optional into 1. Please provide some more specifics.
only 2 options in Choose Light or Dark Mode
- light mode change windows mode and app mode to light
- dark mode change windows mode and app mode to dark
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
only 2 options in Choose Light or Dark Mode
- light mode change windows mode and app mode to light
- dark mode change windows mode and app mode to dark

I'm pretty sure I can add a third "App and Windows mode" option to have light or dark applied to both at the same time.

I'll add it tomorrow, and post back when updated.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Ok @hoangqy , :-)

I've updated the context menu to now include a "App and Windows mode" option that will change both to either "Light" or "Dark" at once.

You can just download and merge the updated Add_Choose_Light_or_Dark_Mode_to_desktop_context_menu.reg file to update your context menu.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

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