How to Schedule Dark Mode on Windows 11

Windows 11 lets you toggle between Light and Dark Mode, but switching manually gets old fast. The good news? You can schedule it to change automatically based on the time of day. Here’s how to set it up in a few quick steps.

Why Schedule Dark Mode?

Dark Mode at night reduces eye strain and saves battery on laptops with OLED displays. Light Mode during the day keeps things bright and easier to read. Automating this swap keeps your workflow smooth.

Step 1: Install “Auto Dark Mode” (Free & Safe)

Microsoft doesn’t offer a built-in scheduler for Dark Mode yet. But a free tool called Auto Dark Mode solves that.

1. Go to the Auto Dark Mode GitHub page or install it directly from the Microsoft Store by searching “Auto Dark Mode”.
2. Download and install the app.

Step 2: Configure Your Schedule

Once installed:

1. Open Auto Dark Mode from the Start menu.
2. Go to the Time tab.
3. Choose between:
   • Set custom hours (e.g., Light Mode from 7 AM to 7 PM)
   • Sync with sunrise/sunset based on your location

This gives you full control—no more manual toggles.

Step 3: Tweak Additional Options

You can also customize:

• Whether the system theme, apps, and wallpaper change together
• If Dark Mode applies to only Windows or also third-party apps
• Whether to enable transitions for a smoother switch

Bonus Tip: Use Task Scheduler (Advanced Users)

If you prefer not to install third-party apps, you can create a Task Scheduler script to toggle between Light and Dark Mode using PowerShell. It’s more complex but totally doable. Let me know in the comments if you want a guide for that.

Final Thoughts

Dark Mode scheduling is one of those small tweaks that makes a big difference. Whether you’re working late or starting early, automating your display to match your day just makes sense. Give Auto Dark Mode a try—it’s free, fast, and gets the job done.

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