Text with low contrast can be difficult to read for people with low vision. There are web sites that have, for example, poor color combinations such as blue links on black backgrounds. They aren’t easy to read even for people with unimpaired vision and can be virtually impossible for people with vision disabilities. Strongly contrasting colors can make it quicker and easier to read from your PC.
High contrast themes use more distinct colors to make text and apps easier to see.
See also:
Turn high contrast mode on or off in Windows - Microsoft Support
Use the Settings app in Windows to turn high contrast mode or contrast themes on or off.
support.microsoft.com
Change color contrast in Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to make objects on the screen easier to see by setting up and using a high-contrast color scheme.
support.microsoft.com
This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off using a high contrast theme for your account in Windows 11.
It is required to activate Windows 11 before you can use contrast themes to personalize your PC.
When high contrast mode is turned on, the desktop background is automatically set to a solid color by default, but you can still set the desktop background to a picture or slideshow if wanted.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off High Contrast Mode using Keyboard Shortcut
- Option Two: Turn On or Off High Contrast Mode from Sign-in Screen
- Option Three: Turn On or Off a High Contrast Theme in Settings
- Option Four: Turn On or Off a High Contrast Theme in Control Panel
OPTION ONE
Turn On or Off High Contrast Mode using Keyboard Shortcut
1 While signed in to Windows 11, press the left Alt + left Shift + Print Screen keys to toggle high contrast on and off.
2 If turning on high contrast, click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
OPTION TWO
Turn On or Off High Contrast Mode from Sign-in Screen
1 While on the sign-in screen, select your account.
2 Click/tap on the Accessibility button in the lower-right corner, and turn On or Off (default) High Contrast for what you want. (see screenshots below)
3 You can now sign in to Windows 11.
OPTION THREE
Turn On or Off a High Contrast Theme in Settings
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Accessibility on the left side, and click/tap on Contrast themes on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Select None (off) or a contrast theme (on) you want in the drop menu, and click/tap on Apply. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now close Settings if you like.
OPTION FOUR
Turn On or Off a High Contrast Theme in Control Panel
1 Open Run (Win+R).
2 Copy and paste the
shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921} command into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Personalization in the Control Panel.3 Click/tap on a theme you want to apply under My Themes (off), Windows Default Themes (off), or High Contrast Themes (on). (see screenshot below)
4 When finished, you can close the Control Panel if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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