In 2016, Microsoft introduced a dark mode option in Windows 10, but the operating system still had a mix of light and dark elements. Fast forward nearly a decade, and the latest Windows 11 preview build now includes even more darkened UI elements.
A recent discovery by Windows watcher Phantomofearth reveals updated file operation dialogs with a dark theme. Tasks like copying or deleting files will now prompt in dark mode, a welcome change from the previous light-themed prompts. However, there are still some areas, like the buttons on these dialogs, that remain in light mode.
While Microsoft has not officially announced any specific improvements to Windows 11’s dark mode, these recent changes hint at a potential broader overhaul in the upcoming 25H2 update. Areas like the Control Panel, Run prompt, and file properties UI are still in light mode, indicating that there may be more updates on the horizon.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft has historically taken time to implement dark mode features, as seen with the delayed addition of dark mode to File Explorer in Windows 10. In contrast, Apple’s macOS has had a consistent dark mode since macOS Mojave in 2018, with a new Liquid Glass redesign set to arrive later this year, emphasizing translucency.
