How to Change the Theme in Windows 11
Want to give your Windows 11 a fresh look? This guide shows you how to switch themes. A theme changes things like your desktop background (the main picture you see on your screen), colors, sounds, and even mouse pointers.
Open Settings, navigate to Personalization, then Themes. Click on any theme to apply it and change your Windows 11 look. You can also access theme settings via the Control Panel.
What Is a Theme?
A Windows 11 theme is a collection of settings that changes how your computer looks and sounds, covering everything from your desktop background and colors to system sounds and mouse pointers.
- Desktop background (the picture on your screen)
- Lock screen background (the image you see when you start your PC)
- Colors used in windows and menus
- Sounds like notifications and alerts
- Mouse pointers (the arrow or cursor)
Types of Themes
Windows 11 has different types of themes to help you personalize your PC, including themes you’ve saved yourself, the basic Windows default themes, and high contrast themes for easier viewing.
‘Windows Default Themes’ are pre-installed options that offer a quick way to refresh your PC’s style.
High Contrast Themes are designed for users with vision impairments, featuring strong color contrasts for better visibility.
New: Windows Spotlight Themes
If your Windows 11 has been updated to version 25169 or 22000.1515, you’ll be able to use Windows Spotlight. This shows beautiful, changing pictures on your desktop automatically. You can even create your own Spotlight themes!
Before You Start
Make sure your Windows 11 is activated. You cannot change themes if Windows is not activated.
Where to Get More Themes
You can download extra themes from Microsoft here:
How to Change Your Theme
Option 1Using Personalization Settings
- Press
Win + Ion your keyboard to open Settings. - Click Personalization on the left menu.
- At the top, click on the theme you want to use.
- Close the Settings window when you’re done.
Option 2Using Themes Settings
- Open Settings by pressing
Win + I. - In the left menu, click Personalization, then click Themes on the right.
- Click on any theme shown to apply it.
- Close Settings when finished.
Option 3Using Control Panel
- Press
Win + Rto open the Run box. - Copy and paste this command into the box and press Enter:
shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921}
This opens the old Personalization window in Control Panel. - Click on a theme under My Themes, Windows Default Themes, or High Contrast Themes to apply it.
- Close Control Panel when done.
You can change your Windows 11 theme using the old Control Panel by opening the Run box and typing a specific command to access the Personalization settings.
Summary
Changing Windows 11 themes lets you easily customize your PC’s appearance and sounds, offering options like custom, default, and high contrast styles that you can apply using either the Settings app or the Control Panel.- Themes let you customize how your PC looks and sounds.
- There are three main types of themes: your own, Windows default, and high contrast for easier viewing.
- You can change themes through the Settings app or Control Panel.
- Make sure your Windows 11 is activated before changing themes.
- Explore more themes online from official Microsoft websites.
Want to Learn More?
Check out the official Microsoft page about Education Themes for Windows 11 and how to set them up:
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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