How to Schedule Dark Mode on Windows 11

Dark Mode has become a favorite feature for many Windows users. It reduces eye strain, improves readability at night, and gives your desktop a clean, modern look. While Windows 11 includes built-in options for theme switching, Windows still doesn’t offer a fully native scheduler for Dark and Light modes in all versions—especially Windows 11.

If you’re here reading this guide, you probably want to automate the switch between Light Mode during the day and Dark Mode at night—without toggling it manually every time. The good news? You can schedule Dark Mode on both Windows 11 using built-in features, Task Scheduler, or third-party tools.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll show you multiple methods to schedule Dark Mode automatically on your PC.

Why Schedule Dark Mode?

Scheduling Dark Mode helps you:

• Reduce eye strain at night
• Match system theme with your workflow
• Improve battery life on OLED displays
• Automatically switch based on time (sunrise/sunset)
• Maintain a consistent aesthetic on your PC

Let’s explore every method you can use.

1. Schedule Dark Mode on Windows 11 Using Night Light

Windows 11 doesn’t directly schedule Dark Mode, but you can use Night Light’s automatic settings to match your theme change.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System → Display.
3. Select Night Light.
4. Turn on: Schedule night light
5. Choose:
   • Sunset to sunrise (automatically based on location)
   • Set hours (custom schedule)

Now manually switch your theme to Dark Mode at the same time schedule using Task Scheduler (Method 3 below), or combine both for automatic behavior.

2. Use Windows 11 Built-in Automatic Theme Switching

Recent builds of Windows 11 include automatic theme switching for apps, system, and accent colors.

1. Open Settings → Personalization.
2. Click Colors.
3. Under Choose your mode, select: Custom
4. Now set:
   • Windows mode: Light
   • App mode: Dark (or vice-versa)

Windows will intelligently switch themes based on lighting, wallpaper background, and energy settings, but not on a strict time schedule.

To schedule exact times, continue to Method 3.

3. Schedule Dark Mode on Windows 11 Using Task Scheduler

This method lets you set exact times, such as:

• Dark Mode at 7 PM
• Light Mode at 7 AM

Works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Create Scripts to Switch Themes

First, create two simple PowerShell scripts.

Enable Dark Mode

1. Open Notepad.
2. Paste:

New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name "AppsUseLightTheme" -Value 0 -PropertyType DWord -Force
New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name "SystemUsesLightTheme" -Value 0 -PropertyType DWord -Force

3. Save as:

DarkMode.ps1

Enable Light Mode

1. Open Notepad → paste:

New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name "AppsUseLightTheme" -Value 1 -PropertyType DWord -Force
New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name "SystemUsesLightTheme" -Value 1 -PropertyType DWord -Force

2. Save as:

LightMode.ps1

Allow PowerShell to Run Scripts

1. Search Windows PowerShell → Run as administrator.
2. Enter:

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

Press Y to confirm.

Create Scheduled Tasks

Schedule Dark Mode

1. Open Task Scheduler.
2. Click Create Basic Task.
3. Name: Dark Mode Schedule
4. Set trigger time (e.g., 7:00 PM).
5. For Action, choose: Start a program
6. In Program/script, type: powershell.exe
7. In Add arguments, enter: -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\path\to\DarkMode.ps1"

Finish the task.

Schedule Light Mode

Repeat the steps but choose your morning time and select LightMode.ps1.

You now have fully automated theme switching on Windows 11.

4. Use a Third-Party Tool

There are several safe apps that automate theme switching without scripting.

Auto Dark Mode

A highly popular tool created specifically for scheduling Dark Mode.

Features:

• Schedule by time
• Switch by sunrise & sunset
• Different themes for apps and system
• Wallpaper automation
• Easy UI

1. Download from: https://github.com/AutoDarkMode/AutoDarkMode
2. Install and open the app.
3. Enable: Automatic switching
4. Choose your schedule.

This is the easiest and most powerful solution.

WinDynamicDesktop

This app ports macOS dynamic wallpapers to Windows.

Features:

• Dark/Light switching based on sun position
• Dynamic themes
• Location-based automation

Available on Microsoft Store.

5. Use Windows Themes with Dark/Light Variants

Depending on your wallpaper or dynamic theme pack, Windows may auto-adjust app and accent colors.

This method is less predictable but requires no setup.

Wrapping Up

And that wraps up our comprehensive guide on how to schedule Dark Mode on and Windows 11. Whether you prefer built-in tools, scripts, or user-friendly apps like Auto Dark Mode, you now have multiple ways to automate theme switching and customize your PC experience.