Accessibility Turn On or Off a High Contrast Theme in Windows 11


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Contrast_themes_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off using a high contrast theme for your account in Windows 11.

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.

Reference:



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)

Turn_on_High_Contrast.png





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.

High_Contrast_sign-in_screen-1.jpg
High_Contrast_sign-in_screen-2.jpg





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)

High_contrast_themes_Settings-1.png

3 Select None (off) or a contrast theme (on) you want in the drop menu, and click/tap on Apply. (see screenshot below)

You can click/tap on the Edit button to customize the colors of items for the selected contrast theme to Save as a new theme.


High_contrast_themes_Settings-2.png

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.

High_contrast_themes_Control_Panel.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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