How to enable dark or light mode based on time in Windows 11

Switching between dark and light mode depending on the time of day we use our PC is really useful. Typically, during the day we need our screen to have more light and color. But at night or in dark environments, this isn't as necessary. Speaking of which, In this article we will see if it is possible to activate dark or light mode depending on the time in Windows 11 and how to achieve it..

Can you enable dark or light mode based on time in Windows 11?

Enabling dark or light mode based on time in Windows 11 is a really useful option. You can use light mode during the day and, when night falls, wait for your PC to automatically switch to dark mode or theme. But, Is it really possible to activate this option from Windows settings?

If you're looking for the option in the Personalization section of Windows 11 and can't find it, we're sorry to say you're not mistaken. For now, It is not possible to activate this feature natively in Windows 11The only thing we can do is manually switch from one mode to another following these steps:

1. Go to Settings and select Personalization (you can also go directly by right-clicking on the desktop).
2. Select Themes.
3. Choose the theme you want to use (light and dark).
4. Done. Now you can manually activate dark or light mode based on the time.

How to enable dark or light mode based on time in Windows 11?

 

Now, this doesn't mean that it's not possible to activate dark or light mode based on the time using other alternatives. While it's true that Windows 11 doesn't have this feature natively, There are reliable applications that are capable of achieving this.. One of them is Auto Dark Mode and you can download it directly from the Microsoft Store.

With this application you can not only activate the dark or light mode according to the time in Windows 11, but you will have access to other practical functionsFor example, you can choose a theme from Windows, change the wallpaper, change the cursor style, or change the theme colors.

Download Auto Dark Mode

The first thing you will have to do is Download the app Auto Dark ModeThis is a free option that allows you to automatically switch from dark mode to light mode and vice versa. You can find it by following the link above or by typing its name in the Microsoft Store.

Set up automatic theme switching in Windows 11

Once the application is installed, we continue with step number two: Enable dark or light mode based on time in Windows 11To do this, follow the procedure below:

1. Enter the Auto Dark Mode app.
2. In the left section, select the Time option.
3. There, you will need to slide the switch to Activate the feature.
4. Next, choose when you want the feature to activate. Options include: Set custom hours, From sunrise to sunset (location service), From dusk to sunrise (geographic coordinates), and Follow Windows Night Light.
5. If you choose Set custom times, you can set the time yourself.
6. Choose the time at which light mode and dark mode will be activated and that's it.

Other options available with Auto Dark Mode

In addition to setting a schedule for your computer to switch from light mode to dark mode or vice versa, the Auto Dark Mode app has other interesting options. For example, in the Change Modes section You can make changes to the conditions of the change as follows::

• Don't change by playing video games.
• Do not change while certain processes are running.
• Do not change themes unless the system is idle.
• Notify before automatically changing themes.

Also, you can do Using keyboard shortcuts to “force” the change to happen Themes. In this section, you can assign a key combination to force light or dark mode or disable them. Another section allows you to apply theme changes to specific applications or adapt them to the Windows system as a whole.

Finally, in the Settings section of the application, you can make changes to your PC such as the language, clock or enable automatic checking for application updatesYou can easily do all of this from the Auto Dark Mode app in Windows 11.

What you can do natively in Windows: configure the night light

Although Windows 11 has a large number of useful features, the truth is that, so far, it doesn't allow you to activate dark or light mode based on the time natively. Therefore, if you don't want to download any third-party app to achieve this, you'll have to use An alternative that comes a little closer to this possibility: the Night Light.

The Night Light function allows Activate or deactivate the blue light filter emitted by your computer screenThis will directly affect the overall appearance of your screen. So, while it won't change the system mode, it will protect your eyes from blue light exposure in low-light environments.

To turn on Night Light in Windows 11, follow the steps below:

1. Open Windows 11 Settings.
2. Go to the System section and then go to Display.
3. Now click on the Night Light option to activate it.
4. Click the arrow on the right to schedule your activation. You can schedule it from dusk to dawn (7:00 PM – 6:22 AM). Or you can set the hours yourself.
5. Plus, you can adjust the intensity of the night light to suit your eyes.

Enable dark or light mode based on time in Windows 11: still pending

For a long time now (since dark mode became available on Windows, to be honest) Many users are still waiting for the feature that allows them to activate dark or light mode depending on the time. directly from Windows settings.

So, if you want to enjoy this feature now, you have to opt for a third-party appAnd if you want to wait for the native Windows 11 feature, you can use the option that is available to schedule Night Light activation on your PC.