Microsoft resumes fixing File Explorer dark mode on Windows 11

• Windows 11 File Explorer dark mode is getting fixes, which update dialogs for copying, deleting, and administrative prompts to match the dark theme.
• Microsoft also addressed color issues on the “This PC” page, signaling more improvements ahead. However, many legacy tools still lack proper dark mode support.

After almost ten years, Microsoft is finally giving more attention to the broken dark mode experience in File Explorer on Windows 11.

The history of dark mode on Windows 10 and 11 has been inconsistent. Users have been asking for a complete system-wide dark theme for years, but Microsoft has only delivered small updates here and there, leaving the experience feeling unfinished.

Now, things may be changing. In the latest Windows 11 25H2 preview, new dark-themed elements are starting to appear in File Explorer.

Discovered by @PhantomOfEarth, build 26200.5751 in the Dev Channel updates several dialogs to follow the system’s dark mode color scheme. This includes the copy files dialog, which now avoids the jarring mix of dark and bright colors that caused visual discomfort.

The improvements also apply to the confirmation dialog for file deletion and the prompt asking for administrative permissions. These are small changes, but they make File Explorer feel more consistent when using dark mode.

Microsoft hasn’t officially announced these tweaks, but it did confirm fixing another issue where the low-drive-space warning on the “This PC” page would ignore dark mode and display a bright red color. Together, these updates suggest Microsoft may finally be working toward a more polished dark theme experience for File Explorer and across the operating system.

However, many of the system components remain untouched. For example, legacy tools like Registry Editor, Group Policy Editor, Computer Management, and anything built on Microsoft Management Console (MMC) are still missing dark mode support. This long delay makes many users feel that dark mode development has been abandoned.

Personally, I hope it doesn’t take another decade before File Explorer and the rest of the operating system get a properly finished dark mode.

In addition to offering a properly finished dark mode experience, one feature I’ve been wanting for a long time is the ability to switch between the dark and light themes automatically based on the time of day without having to resort to third-party apps.

Other platforms, like macOS, not only have a proper dark mode, but they also offer an option to change the color mode according to the time of day.

Do you use the light or dark color mode on your computer? Let me know in the comments.