How to Change Task Manager Theme in Windows 11
Task Manager in Windows 11 has its own theme setting, so it can look different from the rest of Windows. By default it follows the app color mode you chose in your Windows display settings. If your apps are in dark mode, Task Manager is dark. If they are in light mode, it is light.
You change the theme inside Task Manager itself, in its own Settings page. The change applies as soon as you pick an option, and you do not need to restart your computer. This setting is part of the redesigned Task Manager that arrived with Windows 11 version 22H2. If your PC is on the original 21H2 release, you will not see it. Update Windows first, or change the system app mode instead.
Open Task Manager , click the Settings gear, and choose Light, Dark, or Use system settings. Task Manager automatically adopts the selected app theme, instantly updating its appearance.
How to Change Task Manager Theme in 🪟 Windows 11
You can set Task Manager to light mode or dark mode, or tell it to follow your Windows settings . A darker theme can be easier on your eyes in a dim room. A lighter one can be easier to read in bright daylight. The steps below take about half a minute.
- Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc. You can also right-click the Start button and choose Task Manager . The Task Manager window should open, with a navigation sidebar on the left.
- Click the Settings gear icon at the bottom left corner of the sidebar. If the sidebar is collapsed to icons only, the gear is still at the bottom left. The Settings page should now replace the process list in the main window.
A standard user account can change the theme. If you cannot find the gear icon, check that you are running Windows 11 22H2 or later. You can see your version in Settings System About
- Look for the App theme section on the Settings page. If you do not see it right away, scroll down. The page lists the theme choices in this section.
- Select Light, Dark, or Use system settings to match your Windows preferences. Task Manager should change colors as soon as you click. Light and Dark force that theme no matter what the rest of Windows uses. Use system settings makes Task Manager follow your Windows app mode again.
The change takes effect immediately, without needing a restart. You do not have to close and reopen Task Manager to see it. To undo the change, go back to the same page and pick a different option. Choosing Use system settings returns Task Manager to its default behavior.
Global vs. Individual Settings
Task Manager follows your system settings by default, but you can set it to a different theme than the rest of Windows. For example, you can keep Windows in light mode and still run Task Manager in dark mode. Just pick Light or Dark instead of Use system settings.
If you want Task Manager to follow Windows again, choose Use system settings. Then change the Windows mode itself in Settings Personalization Colors, using the mode option on that page. Task Manager will follow whatever you set there.
Comparison: Old vs. New Task Manager
| Feature | Old Task Manager | Windows 11 Task Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Design Language | Classic Win32 | Fluent Design / WinUI 3 |
| Theme Support | System Default Only | Light, Dark, or System |
| Visual Effects | None | Mica Material |
Troubleshooting UI Glitches
If the theme looks wrong or part of the window does not change color, work through these checks in order. First, check that Windows has the latest updates installed. You can do this in Settings Windows Update . Restart your PC if Windows asks you to, because older builds can show rendering bugs that later updates fix.
Next, close Task Manager and reopen it. This often clears leftover display glitches. Then go back to the App theme section and pick the option again. If the setting is missing entirely, your Windows 11 build is probably older than 22H2.
Summary
Setting the Task Manager theme is a small change, but it helps your tools match the rest of your desktop. Open Task Manager, go to Settings, and use the App theme section to pick Light, Dark, or Use system settings. Choose whichever gives you comfortable contrast. You can switch back at any time.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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