This tutorial will show you how to automatically switch your Windows theme between between light and dark mode on a schedule with PowerToys Light Switch for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Microsoft PowerToys is a free set of utilities for power users to tune and streamline their Windows experience for greater productivity.
Light Switch is a PowerToys utility that automatically switches your Windows theme between light and dark modes based on time of day. You can configure Light Switch to change themes automatically using sunrise and sunset times in your location, or set custom schedules that work best for your daily routine.
Benefits of using Light Switch include:
- Reduced eye strain - Dark themes are easier on your eyes in low-light environments
- Better battery life - Dark themes can help extend battery life on devices with OLED displays
- Automatic adaptation - No need to manually change themes throughout the day
While Light Switch is turned on, you can press the
+ Ctrl + Shift +D keys to manually switch between light and dark mode on demand. You can change these keyboard shortcuts to a custom theme toggle shortcut you want to use instead.The following settings are available for Light Switch:
Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Light Switch | Turn the Light Switch utility on or off. |
| Theme toggle shortcut | Set a keyboard shortcut to manually toggle between light and dark themes. |
| Mode | Choose between using dark mode from Sunset to Sunrise (automatic based on your location) or Manual (set specific times). Note that you must have location services enabled and synced for automatic mode to work. |
| Location | Sync your location to enable automatic switching based on local sunrise and sunset times. |
| Offset in minutes | Adjust the time for switching themes by a specified number of minutes before or after sunrise and sunset. |
| Turn on dark mode | Set the time to switch to dark mode when using manual mode. |
| Turn on light mode | Set the time to switch to light mode when using manual mode. |
| Apply dark mode to | Choose whether Light Switch applies dark mode to System (Taskbar, Start, and other system UI) and/or Apps (supported apps). |
It is required to install PowerToys to have Light Switch available. To use Light Switch, PowerToys needs to be open and running in the background with Enable Light Switch turned on.
Reference:
Manage your Windows theme with Light Switch
Learn how to automatically switch between light and dark themes in Windows using PowerToys Light Switch. Reduce eye strain and save battery life.
learn.microsoft.com
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Light Switch in PowerToys Quick Access Settings
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Light Switch in PowerToys Settings
- Option Three: Setup and Change Light Switch Settings in PowerToys
1 Open the PowerToys app.
2 Click/tap on the PowerToys notification icon on the taskbar to open PowerToys Quick Access settings. (see screenshots below)
3 Click/tap on the More button in Quick Access.
4 Turn on (default) or off Light Switch for what you want.
1 Open the PowerToys app.
2 Double click/tap on the PowerToys notification icon on the taskbar to open PowerToys Settings. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Home in the left pane. (see screenshot below)
4 Turn on (default) or off Light Switch for what you want.
5 You can now close PowerToys Settings if you like.
1 Open the PowerToys app.
2 Double click/tap on the PowerToys notification icon on the taskbar to open PowerToys Settings. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on System Tools in the left pane to expand it open, and click/tap on Light Switch. (see screenshot below)
4 Turn on (default) Enable Light Switch. (see screenshot below)
5 If you want to change the Theme toggle shortcut for Light Switch, then follow the steps below: (see screenshots below)
- Under Shortcuts, click/tap on the Edit (pencil) button.
- Press the keys you want to assign and use for the shortcut.
- Click/tap on Save to apply.
A shortcut should start with the , Ctrl, Alt, or Shift key.
You can click/tap on Reset to restore the default + Ctrl + Shift +D shortcut.
You can click/tap on Clear to start over and press new keys.
6 Do step 7 (manual) or step 8 (Sunset to sunrise) below for which type of schedule you want to use.
7 Setup or Change "Manual" Schedule for when Dark Mode is Turned On and Off
This is the default setting
A) Under Schedule, select Manual in the "Mode" drop menu. (see screenshot below)
B) Select a Turn on dark mode time you want, and click/tap on the checkmark to save.
C) Select a Turn off dark mode time you want, and click/tap on the checkmark to save.
D) Go to step 9.
8 Setup or Change "Sunrise to sunset" Schedule for when Dark Mode is Turned On and Off
A) Under Schedule, select Sunrise to sunset in the "Mode" drop menu. (see screenshots below)
B) Click/tap on the Location button to sync your location.
C) Click/tap on the Select button in the "Select a location" dialog.
D) Adjust the Sunrise and Sunset "Offset" time in minutes to when you want.
E) Go to step 9.
9 Under Behavior check (on - default) or uncheck (off) System and/or Apps for what to apply dark mode to. (see screenshot below)
10 You can now close PowerToys Settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
