By Key Points
- File operation dialogs now support dark mode
- UI improvements hint at broader design overhaul
- The Control Panel and other elements are still untouched
- A full dark mode experience may arrive with the 25H2 update
Nearly a decade after the launch of Windows 10, where dark mode was first introduced, Windows 11 is taking the next big step. With the latest preview build, users are starting to see real improvements to the long-neglected Windows 11 dark mode.
Dark mode fans have been asking for consistency for years. While Microsoft introduced dark mode back in 2016, most system elements still kept switching between light and dark. It was a mess.
Microsoft is finally improving Windows 11’s dark mode. After 10 years since Windows 10’s release, the dark mode is getting a little more consistent with improved file operation dialogs. Details 👇 https://t.co/lzlSCRg7gK pic.twitter.com/GAXwOomQJ8
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 18, 2025
Now, things are changing, slowly but surely.
In the newest test version of Windows 11, file operation dialogs, like copy, delete, and move, are now adopting a proper dark theme. Previously, these system prompts remained stuck in a bright white UI, which clashed awkwardly with the rest of the system when using dark mode.
These changes were first spotted by Phantomofearth, a well-known Windows enthusiast. While the dialogs now appear darker, not everything is perfect yet. Some buttons are still using the old light theme styling, proving this update is still a work in progress.
It’s HAPPENING! Windows 11 is getting a real dark mode upgrade soon.
Microsoft is testing dark mode for Windows 11’s legacy file operation dialogs, such as copy, delete, rename, file in use, recycle bin empty, and more.
This might be the beginning of system-wide dark mode… pic.twitter.com/EuZeM657ey
— Windows Latest (@WindowsLatest) August 16, 2025
Even so, this move points toward something bigger: Microsoft may be preparing for a full UI overhaul with the 25H2 update expected later this year. This update could come alongside other software developments, like the recent push with Microsoft 365 companion apps designed to enhance productivity.
Microsoft May Finally Fix Inconsistent UI in 25H2 Update
For years, users have pointed out the inconsistent look across Windows. You turn on dark mode, and suddenly you’re jumping between light-themed Control Panel windows, bright Run prompts, and random light-styled system messages.
It ruins the whole experience.
Windows 11 brought a modern UI, but the dark mode experience stayed incomplete. File Explorer got a dark theme eventually, but other core parts of the OS still haven’t been touched.
In the recent Windows 11 beta update, there’s now dark mode for the file transfer dialogs, but still no proper dark mode for the Windows Tools folder. 🫠 pic.twitter.com/L0IGjTKOj2
— BobPony.com (@TheBobPony) August 17, 2025
Apple, on the other hand, nailed this back in 2018 with macOS Mojave. Their dark mode is smooth and unified. And they’re not stopping there, Apple is planning a Liquid Glass redesign later this year that will add more depth and visual polish through translucency.
Microsoft is lagging. But this new preview build suggests they’re finally waking up to the problem.
And they’re not alone. We’re seeing major moves across the tech space—from AMD backing AI ventures like Cohere’s $6.8B valuation to surprising innovation in hardware with projects like the free PC case from Teenage Engineering.
Windows 11’s file operation (copy, access denied, etc.) dialogs are FINALLY getting support for dark mode! Here’s how the dialogs look in dark mode at this point, hidden in build 26100.5061.
Also notice the light buttons in the top right, still a work in progress of course. pic.twitter.com/3D00lWIJcn
— phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) August 15, 2025
While Microsoft hasn’t officially said anything about a major dark mode overhaul, the timing lines up. The 25H2 update is just a few months away, and this might be the release where we see the first fully consistent dark mode experience in Windows history.
If Microsoft follows through, it would be the first real step forward in dark mode design since 2016. Better late than never.
Users Still Waiting on a Complete Dark Mode Experience
The progress is real, but it’s far from complete.
Despite the promising tweaks in the latest preview build, key parts of Windows 11 are still stuck in the past.
The Control Panel remains stubbornly light, with no dark mode support in sight. The same goes for the classic Run prompt and the file properties window.
Even Windows Settings, which was designed to replace the Control Panel, isn’t entirely consistent when switching themes.
This patchy experience is what’s held Windows back from offering a truly immersive dark mode. And while third-party tools exist to force dark themes across the system, they often break updates or lead to visual bugs.
Users aren’t just looking for aesthetic improvements; they want comfort. Dark mode isn’t just a trend anymore. It reduces eye strain, saves battery on OLED displays, and offers a smoother experience for nighttime users.
Microsoft’s slow pace has frustrated many, but these new developments bring hope. If 25H2 brings a polished, all-in-one dark theme, it would finally match user expectations in 2025 and set a standard for future updates.
Meanwhile, as users await Windows updates, exciting leaks like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold teaser and global tensions around AI chip sales, like the US demanding Nvidia sales cuts, show how dynamic the tech ecosystem is becoming.
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