Enable dark mode on OneNote

How to enable dark mode for OneNote on Windows 10

OneNote finally gets the long awaited dark mode option, and here's how you enable it right now on Windows 10.

Microsoft is finally bringing dark mode support to its OneNote app for Windows 10. The option is available through the settings page, and it allows you to change the look and feel of the app, just like the rest of the Office apps and File Explorer.

When the dark mode is enabled, the background and navigation elements of OneNote will switch from the bright white to a more subtle black and dark gray color scheme.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable the dark mode for the OneNote app on Windows 10.

How to enable OneNote dark mode on Windows 10

Use these steps to enable the dark mode on OneNote for Windows 10:

  1. Open OneNote.

  2. Click the main menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right.

  3. Click on Settings.

    OneNote settings
    OneNote settings
  4. Click on Options.

    OneNote Options
    OneNote Options
  5. Under the “Color” section, select the Dark mode option for OneNote.

    OneNote dark mode
    OneNote dark mode

Alternatively, you can also select the Use my Windows Mode, and OneNote will switch between the Light and Dark modes automatically as you change the Windows 10 color mode in the Settings app.

Once you complete the steps, OneNote should start using the dark mode color scheme.

How to enable OneNote Preview dark mode on Windows 10

Microsoft is rolling out dark mode for OneNote gradually, and if you don’t see the option, you’ll need to switch to the OneNote Preview ring, update the app, and then try to enable the option.

Enabling OneNote Preview

Use these steps to enable OneNote Preview:

  1. Open OneNote.

  2. Click the main menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right.

  3. Click on Settings.

    OneNote settings
    OneNote settings
  4. Click on Options.

    OneNote Options
    OneNote Options
  5. Under the “OneNote Preview” section, turn on the toggle switch.

    OneNote Preview
    OneNote Preview

After you complete the steps, you can use the Microsoft Store to install the latest preview.

Updating OneNote Preview

Use these steps to download the latest preview of OneNote:

  1. Open Microsoft Store.

  2. Click the main menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right.

  3. Select the Downloads and updates option.

    Microsoft Store Downloads and Updates
    Microsoft Store Downloads and Updates
  4. Click the Get updates button. (It may take some time until you see the app getting the latest update after enabling the preview option.)

    Updating apps on Microsoft Store
    Updating apps on Microsoft Store

Once you complete the steps, the dark mode option should appear in the settings page.

Enabling dark mode

Use these steps to enable dark mode on OneNote Preview:

  1. Open OneNote.

  2. Click the main menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right.

  3. Click on Settings.

    OneNote settings
    OneNote settings
  4. Click on Options.

    OneNote Options
    OneNote Options
  5. Under the “Color” section, select the Dark mode option for OneNote.

    OneNote dark mode
    OneNote dark mode

After you complete the steps, OneNote will switch to the dark mode color scheme.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].