Microsoft is incrementally enhancing Windows 11’s dark mode, nearly a decade after its initial introduction in Windows 10 in 2016. The latest preview build of Windows 11, observed as of August 18, 2025, now incorporates additional darkened user interface elements, according to Windows watcher “Phantomofearth.”
Specifically, file operation dialogs, such as those for copying or deleting files, have been updated to feature a dark theme. This marks a significant step towards greater consistency, as these prompts previously appeared in a light theme. However, despite the dark dialogs, the buttons within these prompts still retain a light appearance, indicating that the implementation is still a “work in progress.”
While Microsoft has not yet formally announced these dark mode improvements, these minor adjustments suggest a potential “broader overhaul” that might coincide with the upcoming 25H2 update later in the year. Despite these advancements, several core UI components, including the Control Panel, the Run prompt, and file properties interfaces, continue to operate exclusively in light mode.
The slow pace of dark mode integration has been a point of contention for users. For instance, it took Microsoft several years to implement a dark mode for File Explorer in Windows 10 after the operating system’s release. In contrast, Apple’s macOS has offered a consistently integrated dark mode since macOS Mojave’s launch in 2018, with a new “Liquid Glass redesign” emphasizing translucency expected later in 2025.
