Top 10 Windows 11 Dark Themes – Elevate Your Windows 11 Aesthetics

When set up properly, dark themes on Windows 11 offer ample benefits. First, they can offer an aesthetically pleasing Windows 11 experience across the system. Second, you can reduce eye strain, especially if you work in front of the computer most of the time. But how do we find the best dark themes for Windows 11? Getting random themes from the web is not the brightest idea. To help you get through, we have prepared a list of the top 10 Windows 11 themes you can explore.

Benefits of Using Dark Themes

Let’s look at some core benefits of using dark themes on Windows (and other devices).

• Compared to light themes, dark themes cause less eye strain, making it easy to spend more time in front of displays.
• Depending on the screen type, a dark theme can also reduce battery consumption. So, using a darker theme on your OLED laptop would be beneficial.
• Studies have also shown that dark mode and dark themes can assist with sleep quality. That is, you’d have better sleep duration and quality due to the minimal emission of blue light.
• Dark themes are also more accessible compared to light ones. You’d find them more tolerable if you have photophobia or sensitivity towards bright lights.

In short, shifting to a Windows 11 dark theme offers advantages beyond aesthetics.

How to Enable Dark Mode in Windows 11

If you want the best results, you must enable Dark Mode in Windows 11 before installing any of the top dark themes we have mentioned below.

1. Right-click on the Desktop and choose Personalize from the context menu.
2. Go to a section called Colors, where you can find multiple settings.
3. From choose your mode, select Dark.

This method will ensure that all the UI components on your Windows 11 PC are in dark mode. However, you can use the Registry Editor method if you need a more customizable way to turn on dark mode across your PC. You may want to try this method if the Settings method does not fully work.

Top 10 Dark Themes for Windows 11

Let’s now focus on the top 10 dark themes that you can use for Windows 11. We have found these themes from trusted sources and have done preliminary testing as well. All these Windows 11 dark themes can work great with the built-in dark mode in the OS. You may also want to check out the light variants of each theme if you would like to shift back and forth once in a while.

#1 Elementary

Elementary is an awesome dark theme you should try on a Windows 11 PC. As you can see from the image below, Elementary can turn your Windows 11 interface into something aesthetically pleasing. It also adds a few accent colors to the window management buttons. If you want, you can choose a different color for the theme as well. Overall, Elementary for Windows 11 makes it easy to get started and customize the theme at the same.

#2 Tokyo Nights

Tokyo Night is another wonderful Windows 11 dark theme that you should check out if you’re into dark aesthetics. It arranges all the design elements of the themes just like the Tokyo City scenery that you have seen elsewhere. There is a fashion in which all the icons are managed, and it actually changes how your Windows PC looks and feels. So, if you need a makeover for Windows 11, you should check out Tokyo Night.

#3 Windows 11 Dark from Cleodesktop

Windows 11 Dark from Cleodesktop is another awesome option if you need a full-dark theme for your system interface. It changes the UI upside down with the aesthetic appeal of darkness, and the icon sets are superb as well. You also get the Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox themes with the package. It means you can use Windows 11 Dark from Cleodesktop to change the entire experience.

#4 macOS for Windows 11

We also recommend you check out macOS for Windows 11, which is a Windows 11 theme that brings a GUI similar to macOS. However, this theme lets you choose between light and dark modes. When you choose its dark mode, the macOS for Windows 11 theme becomes a great way to use your Windows 11 PC. With a few additional apps on the side, this theme can make your PC experience awesome.

#5 Nux

Nux is another Windows 11 theme that we found to be impressive for all intents and purposes. You can set up this theme in dark and light mode, but the dark mode adds some extra appeal to our eyes. It is also a nice option for those who spend a lot of time in front of screens. As is the case with other themes, the Nux theme for Windows 11 also brings superb wallpaper in the package. You can use it to complete the visual appeal of the Windows 11 experience.

#6 Minimalism

As you can understand from its name, Minimalism is a minimalist-style Windows 11 theme. This free theme can change the way you look at your Windows 11 PC. In addition to converting everything into a dark and impressive background, there is a touch of golden shade in some parts of the theme. It also happens to be one of the fullest dark themes out there. In the end, you should check out this Windows 11 theme if you’d like to see an eye-friendly UI for your PC.

#7 Andromeda

The Andromeda theme for Windows 11 is not technically a fully dark theme. However, it brings the option to use the dark mode of Windows 11 to the fullest while retaining some accent colors. As you can see from the image below, the Andromeda theme changes most aspects of your PC, starting from icons and the color of window management buttons. For some, the changes might be overkill, though. Even then, I recommend you check out this dark-friendly theme for your PC.

#8 Pink Pine

If you are into subtle aesthetics, you’d appreciate Pink Pine, one of the best Windows 11 dark themes we’ve come across so far. Like many other themes on this list, Pink Pine also allows multiple configurations. When you go for the dark mode configuration, its new icon sets and backgrounds make all the difference. Once it is set up, Pink Pine can change the overall look of your Windows 11 PC. As you can see, everything from the base icon set to the taskbar gets a makeover.

#9 YARU for Windows 11

YARU is another Windows 11 dark theme from the much-loved developer numi. You must keep in mind that this theme would cost you $2, unlike most others, which are completely free to download and use. This dark theme adds a number of shades to the design, often making it look like an older version of Ubuntu Linux. It also lets you choose between multiple colors for action buttons and progress bars. So, for the amount you pay, this Windows 11 theme delivers a lot.

#10 SynthWave ’84 for Windows 11

At the last spot, we have SynthWave ’84 for Windows 11, a theme that will transport your Windows 11 PC to some old times. As you can see in the screenshots, the theme adds splashes of color to different parts of the UI design. The list of things includes icons and layouts as well. Overall, SynthWave ’84 for Windows 11 is going to give a great look to your Windows 11 PC if you are into this particular aesthetic. Otherwise, you’d want to go with a standard dark theme.

Installing Third-Party Themes

Now that we have looked at some great third-party themes for Windows, we will talk about installation. You need to follow some precautions, though.

• Before installing a theme, you should create a system restore point. This way, even if something goes wrong, you get to restore the PC to that point.
• Make sure you download themes from trusted sources only. We have given the links to trusted theme platforms like DeviantArt and VS Themes here.
• You should be careful while giving system permissions. If a theme installer is asking for unnecessary permissions, it means something is wrong.

Of course, individual Windows 11 themes may have separate installation processes. However, the ones we have listed here follow a standard process. You can follow these steps to install a third-party theme on your PC.

• First, you need to download the Windows 11 theme files from the official website. If you get a ZIP or RAR file, you have to extract the contents into a folder.
• Now, open File Explorer and navigate to This PC > Windows > Windows > Resources > Themes.
• You can now copy the theme files and folders and paste them into the Themes folder.

That’s it. You should now be able to access the new theme from the Personalize settings page on your PC.

Note: As you can see, the theme screenshots look great. However, these themes alone cannot bring the look to your Windows 11 PC. You also need to install some external tools and plug-ins to bring the looks you see in these pictures. Don’t worry; theme developers typically give you the links and tutorials to set up these additional points.

Conclusion

We have spent a considerable amount of time searching for and curating these Windows 11 dark themes. It does not mean you have to stick to this collection. On the other hand, sites like DeviantArt and VS Themes can offer impressive suggestions when you open a theme page. However, we don’t recommend getting such themes from sources you don’t trust.