Windows File Explorer has DARK Text

microsvc · Jan 20, 2023

On one of my computers, when I run Windows Explorer, and click on anything on the left pane, the files/folders on the right pane are in black text.
Tried to Google this strange behavior, but nothing has worked. Text everywhere else is fine.

Suggestions are appreciated.

DigitalGoat · Jan 20, 2023

Try setting your desktop background to solid black if not already.
Also try toggling on/ off the dark mode options in settings (app mode etc) see if it corrects itself.

microsvc · Jan 23, 2023

I turned on high contrast, then shut it off, the text is now gray. Better than it was.
If you have any other ideas to make it white, I'd appreciate it!!

OAT · Jan 23, 2023

Is that the same PC on which you have a black lock screen?

microsvc · Jan 23, 2023

No. Different PC.

Edwin · Jan 23, 2023

@microsvc
Can you post a full screenshot with Explorer maximized, I wanna see if we can detect any other anomalies?

DigitalGoat · Jan 23, 2023

microsvc said:
I turned on high contrast, then shut it off, the text is now gray. Better than it was.
If you have any other ideas to make it white, I'd appreciate it!!

Are you using any 3rd party Windows customisation tools, have you used any of the many 'how to slim down/ customise Windows' hacks to be found all over the internet?

microsvc · Jan 24, 2023

No. I have attached a maximized screen snip of the issue as requested by @Edwin.

Bree · Jan 24, 2023

microsvc said:
On one of my computers, when I run Windows Explorer, and click on anything on the left pane, the files/folders on the right pane are in black text.

The text should be white, as it is for me in 22H2 22621.1105.

DigitalGoat · Jan 24, 2023

microsvc said:
No. I have attached a maximized screen snip of the issue as requested by @Edwin.

Try turning off transparency in view options/ settings just to see if it makes a difference.

microsvc · Jan 27, 2023

Transparency is off already.

imanlien2020 · Jan 27, 2023

microsvc said:
Transparency is off already.

Well then anything happen if you turn transparency ON?

microsvc · Jan 30, 2023

No change.

imanlien2020 · Jan 30, 2023

microsvc said:
No change.

I had another windows update um last night i believe. I assume your totally up to date? And have you sent in a report to Microsoft through the Feddback app?

Bizarre · Jan 31, 2023

What build/version of Windows 11 do you have installed? Open Command Prompt or run winver to check.

wiganken · Jan 31, 2023

Have you edited colours in Windows Registry and forgotten? I am clutching at straws here because you say it only happens in File Explorer but it's easy to check in the Registry as long as you are careful. Warning: Do not alter registry unless you are confident in what you are doing.

I have edited some colours in my registry as you can see (pale green window background) in the photo.

Edwin · Jan 31, 2023

microsvc said:
No change.

Try this:
Paste explorer shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921} into a Run box and press Enter...,
... choose one of the basic Windows Default themes, press Apply and/or OK or Save Changes, (which ever it calls for), restart your machine.

(It may, or may not, resolve some theme cache glitches I've seen many times.)
(Make note of the colors, images, etc., that you're using now, so that you can re-theme to what you had before, after you restart your machine.)

microsvc · Feb 1, 2023

wiganken said:
Have you edited colours in Windows Registry and forgotten? I am clutching at straws here because you say it only happens in File Explorer but it's easy to check in the Registry as long as you are careful. Warning: Do not alter registry unless you are confident in what you are doing.

I have edited some colours in my registry as you can see (pale green window background) in the photo.

View attachment 51428

I have 2 PCs with W11, so I compared the colors on the good one to the issue PC and both were exectly the same.

microsvc · Feb 1, 2023

Edwin said:
Try this:
Paste explorer shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921} into a Run box and press Enter...,
... choose one of the basic Windows Default themes, press Apply and/or OK or Save Changes, (which ever it calls for), restart your machine.

View attachment 51430

(It may, or may not, resolve some theme cache glitches I've seen many times.)
(Make note of the colors, images, etc., that you're using now, so that you can re-theme to what you had before, after you restart your machine.)

I did this, and with the default themes, the text color did not return to normal.