How to have Windows Sandbox in Dark mode ? it is greyed out

Christophe · Apr 6, 2023

Hi, I need to test the dark mode of some applications with Windows dark/light mode system.
But when I want to enable Dark mode in Windows Sandbox I have this:

The dark mode / light mode dropdown list in greyed out

and it saying that this requires activation. Is there an alternative way to have the dark mode in Windows Sandbox?

das10 · Apr 6, 2023

I think it may be possible to do so, by using a custom configuration file as per the following tutorial - Sections 1.1 to 1.5. In particular, adding a batch file within the LogonCommand tag in that configuration file to make the necessary registry change.

Windows Sandbox - How to configure in Windows 10

How to configure Windows Sandbox with custom theme and preinstalled software in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

das10 · Apr 6, 2023

If you don't want to go the custom Sandbox configuration route, alternatively, open a Command prompt as Admin inside your Sandbox and then make the Registry change for disabling the Light theme using the comand shown in the above mentioned tutorial.

So, inside the Sandbox, open a Command box (as Admin) and enter the following commands one after the other (ie. basically make a Registry change, terminate and restart Explorer.exe for the dark mode to take effect.

Code:

reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 00000000 /f

taskkill /im explorer.exe /f

start explorer.exe

Christophe · Apr 6, 2023

das10 said:
I think it may be possible to do so, by using a custom configuration file as per the following tutorial - Sections 1.1 to 1.5. In particular, adding a batch file within the LogonCommand tag in that configuration file to make the necessary registry change.

Windows Sandbox - How to configure in Windows 10

How to configure Windows Sandbox with custom theme and preinstalled software in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

I have done and it works, thank you. For reference if someone one to do the same:

Here is my .bat:

Powershell:

REM Apply a custom theme
REM As Windows Sandbox is not activated, this is the only way to personalize it
C:\Users\WDAGUtilityAccount\Desktop\Sandbox\DarkMode.deskthemepack


REM Install new Microsoft Edge
REM start /wait C:\Users\WDAGUtilityAccount\Desktop\Sandbox\MicrosoftEdgeEnterpriseX64.msi /quiet /norestart


REM Switch to Dark Mode
reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 00000000 /f


REM Close Settings app left open when theme was applied
start /wait taskkill /F /IM SystemSettings.exe

and here is my .wbs file;

XML:

<Configuration>
<vGPU>Enable</vGPU>
<Networking>Default</Networking>
<MappedFolders>
   <MappedFolder>
     <HostFolder>C:\Users\ENTERUSER\Sandbox</HostFolder>
     <ReadOnly>true</ReadOnly>
   </MappedFolder>
   <MappedFolder>
     <HostFolder>C:\Users\ENTERUSER\Downloads</HostFolder>
     <ReadOnly>true</ReadOnly>
   </MappedFolder>
</MappedFolders>
<LogonCommand>
   <Command>C:\users\WDAGUtilityAccount\Desktop\Sandbox\Sandbox-DarkMode.bat</Command>
</LogonCommand>
</Configuration>

Christophe · Apr 6, 2023

das10 said:
If you don't want to go the custom Sandbox configuration route, alternatively, open a Command prompt as Admin inside your Sandbox and then make the Registry change for disabling the Light theme using the comand shown in the above mentioned tutorial.

So, inside the Sandbox, open a Command box (as Admin) and enter the following commands one after the other (ie. basically make a Registry change, terminate and restart Explorer.exe for the dark mode to take effect.

Code:

reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 00000000 /f taskkill /im explorer.exe /f start explorer.exe

I have tried it as well in a black Sandbox, but the Sandbox is still in light mode after these commands (though there is no error when executing though commands)

das10 · Apr 6, 2023

Thank-you, for pointing out that the Commands by themselves don't work when run after the Sandbox has fully started. (I had presumed they would work, as I am currently not using the Sandbox feature).

Christophe · Apr 7, 2023

Oops my mistake: in my previous post I wanted to say: I have tried it as well in a blank Sandbox (not a black).
So when none of the script in post #4 are used, using the command line did not turn the Sandbox to dark mode.

das10 · Apr 7, 2023

Thank-you for the further clarification (although I had presumed as much).

mmotti · Aug 9, 2024

This is how I personally do it using PowerShell: Set Windows 11 to use Dark Mode. Particularly useful as part of a logon script for Windows Sandbox.

You can add it as part of an existing logon command or use it on it's own.

Example WSB file:

Code:

<Configuration>
  <MappedFolders>
    <MappedFolder>
      <HostFolder>C:\Data\Scripts</HostFolder>
      <SandboxFolder>C:\Data\Scripts</SandboxFolder>
      <ReadOnly>True</ReadOnly>
    </MappedFolder>
  <LogonCommand>
    <Command>powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Data\Scripts\VMs\WindowsSandbox-Wrapper.ps1"</Command>
  </LogonCommand>
</Configuration>

hatsseason · Mar 13, 2025

das10 said:
If you don't want to go the custom Sandbox configuration route, alternatively, open a Command prompt as Admin inside your Sandbox and then make the Registry change for disabling the Light theme using the comand shown in the above mentioned tutorial.

So, inside the Sandbox, open a Command box (as Admin) and enter the following commands one after the other (ie. basically make a Registry change, terminate and restart Explorer.exe for the dark mode to take effect.

Code:

reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize /v AppsUseLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 00000000 /f taskkill /im explorer.exe /f start explorer.exe

Thanks. Just what I was looking for. Do you know if there's a command prompt for changing the default wallpaper to a solid color?

How to have Windows Sandbox in Dark mode ? it is greyed out

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