How to enable Outlook app (and web) dark mode on Windows 11, 10

The new Outlook app for Windows 11 includes support for dark mode, and in this guide, you will learn how to enable it.

Outlook dark mode
Outlook dark mode / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • To enable dark mode on Outlook for Windows 11, open Outlook > Settings > General > Appearance, and under the “Dark mode” section, select the “Dark” option. The “Use system settings” option changes the color scheme depending on the system color.
  • These instructions apply to Windows 11 and 10, the desktop app, and the online experience.

UPDATE 10/30/2024: On Windows 11 (and 10), the new Outlook app includes an option to switch from light to dark color mode, and this guide outlines the steps to complete this task.

The new Outlook app is a new experience that replaces the Mail and Calendar apps and the classic Office version of Outlook with a unified design based on the service’s web experience. The default configuration changes the color scheme depending on Windows 11’s color mode, but you can manually change the color mode to dark from the Outlook settings.

Since the Outlook experience is now the same on Windows 10, 11, and on the web, these instructions will apply to surfaces where the email service is available.

In this guide, I will teach you the steps to change the color mode from light to dark in the new Outlook app for Windows 11.

Enable dark mode on Outlook app

To change the Outlook app to the dark mode, use these steps:

  1. Open the Outlook app on Windows 11.

    Quick note: If you are using the online experience, then open the site, log in with your credentials, and continue with the steps below.
  2. Click on Settings (gear button from top-right).

  3. Click on General.

  4. Click the Appearance tab.

  5. Under the “Dark mode” section, choose the Dark option.

    Outlook dark mode

  6. (Optional) Choose the “Use system settings” option to switch color mode when you change the Windows color mode.

  7. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the Outlook app will switch to the dark color scheme, including for the Calendar and People tabs.

If you are getting started with this new version of Outlook, you can use these instructions to add multiple accounts.

Update October 30, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.

Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.

Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.

You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].