Skip to main content

Windows 10 update will make nighttime PC use easier on the eyes

With copious amounts of white coating splashed across the screen in Windows 10, any added dark tone is a welcome change for the otherwise gaudy operating system. Efforts have been made to bring a dark theme by making unsolicited changes to the system registry, but no official solution has been issued by Microsoft — up until now, that is.

As reported by the website of noted tech expert Paul Thurott, a proper dark theme, a proper dark theme will be making its way to Windows 10 accompanying the first Redstone update slated to arrive this summer. In fact, with builds of the OS Microsoft employees are toying with internally right now, there’s a “dark theme” option in the Settings menu, presumably under Personalization.

Recommended Videos

Absent anything dyed by your Personalization color choice, the entirety of the UI appears darker with light text rather than what’s usually the other way around.

In previous builds of the OS, the dark theme could be enabled by pressing Ctrl+T in the Windows Store or by changing value data of “AppsUseLightTheme” in the registry from 1 to 0.

Notably, this feature was overlooked at Build 2016, though a plethora of other announcements were made including a Microsoft-helmed stylus called Ink for Windows-based tablets, in addition to Windows Hello support for third-party applications.

The feature could be helpful for late night study or work sessions where white backgrounds just don’t cut it. On the other hand, something like Flux that’s designed for this purpose might be a better alternative, considering Windows 10 doesn’t come with anything like the iPhone and iPad’s Night Shift pre-installed.

There’s no word on when the dark theme option will make its way to Insider Preview members, but per the usual snark from Gabe Aul on Twitter, a build is definitely coming “soon.” Just how soon is anyone’s guess.

Gabe Carey
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
Microsoft is making a major change to using your iPhone in Windows
The Dell XPS 13 on a table with the Start Menu open.

In a recent Windows Insider Blog post, Microsoft announced it's adding the option for iPhone users to access their phones from the Start menu. Thanks to a special widget next to the Start menu, when you connect your phone, you can see data such as notifications, battery indicators, recent contacts, connection status, and more.

To enjoy this feature, you must use the recent Windows 11 preview build from the Dev and Beta channels, and you must be a Windows Insider. You must also update the Phone Link app to version 1.24121.30.0 or higher, have a Microsoft account, and have a PC that supports Bluetooth LE. Microsoft said it does not support PCs running Pro Education or Education SKUs. Even if this doesn't affect you, the update is rolling out in phases, so reaching your PC might take some time if you don't already have it.

Read more
Microsoft is axing support for its own apps on Windows 10
The Surface Laptop 7 on a table in front of a window.

Microsoft has announced that support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 will end this year on October 14, as reported by The Verge. This is also the end-of-support date for Windows 10 as a whole, but the move is still a little surprising considering that Microsoft is now offering the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program.

Anyone who joins this program for $30 can continue to safely use Windows 10 for a whole extra year -- so you might think that Microsoft would let them continue to use the Office apps too. That said, it's not like the apps will disappear, they just won't receive any more updates. According to Microsoft, this could cause "performance and reliability issues over time" but whether these issues will pop up within the ESU program's duration or not is anyone's guess.

Read more
Here’s why some PC gamers shouldn’t install the latest Windows 11 update
Overwatch 2 running on the LG OLED 27 gaming monitor.

The latest Windows 11 update, codenamed 24H2, has been a troubled rollout for Microsoft, but one thing's been clear from the beginning: PC gamers should wait to install it. Let's add another issue to the list, shall we?

As spotted by Windows Latest, Microsoft has confirmed in an update to its Windows 11 24H2 problems page, that Windows 11 24H2 is causing issues with its Auto HDR feature. The result of the bug is that incorrect colors are being displayed or, even worse, are breaking games entirely and causing them to not be responsive.

Read more