Windows

How to Enable or Disable Dark Mode in Outlook for Windows 11

Written by

Richard

Dec 8, 2023 Updated Apr 17, 2026 3 min read

This guide shows you how to turn on Dark Mode in the new Outlook for Windows app for Windows 11. This app provides a modern design for your Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, Hotmail, and Gmail accounts.

The app includes many tools for your daily tasks, including subscription management, email forwarding, setting default From address, backing up your mailbox, changing the reading pane, opening a new window for a message, language translations, turning text predictions on or off, switch primary account, sharing a calendar, changing language, date and time format, public a calendar, show week numbers in Outlook calendar, deleting your search history, export your search history, and dd or remove events from emails to your calendar.

Why use Dark Mode?

Dark Mode changes the colors of your app to a dark background with light text. This is often easier on your eyes, especially when working in a dim room or late at night.

What happens when you are done?

Once you finish these steps, your Outlook interface will immediately switch to a dark color scheme, reducing eye strain and providing a sleek look.

How to change to Dark Mode

Note: You do not need admin privileges to change these settings. Simply follow these steps within your user account.

Open the Outlook App: Launch the Outlook app on your computer.
Access the Settings Menu: Look at the top-right corner of the app window. Click the gear icon to open the Settings menu.

Select Appearance: In the menu that appears, click on “General” on the left sidebar. Then, look for “Appearance” on the right side.
Choose Dark Mode: Under the Appearance settings, you will see three choices: Light, Dark, or System Default. Click “Dark” to turn on the mode. If you want Outlook to match your Windows theme automatically, choose “System Default.”
Save Changes: Click the “Save” or “Done” button at the bottom of the screen to apply your new look.

The app will refresh and switch to your chosen theme instantly.

Summary

Switching to Dark Mode in the new Outlook app is a quick way to customize your workspace. By navigating to Settings > General > Appearance, you can toggle between light and dark themes to make your inbox more comfortable to view.

How do I turn on dark mode in Outlook for Windows 11?

Open the Outlook app, click the Settings button in the upper-left corner, select General > Appearance, and choose the Dark option. Then tap Save or Done to apply the changes.

Can Outlook dark mode switch automatically based on my Windows settings?

Yes, you can select the System Default option in the Appearance settings, which will automatically switch Outlook to dark mode whenever your Windows device is set to dark mode.

What are the dark mode theme options available in Outlook?

Outlook offers three theme options: Light, Dark, and System Default. You can choose Light for a traditional white interface, Dark for a dark interface, or System Default to match your device's settings.

Where is the Settings button in the new Outlook app?

The Settings button is located in the upper-left corner of the Outlook app interface. Click on it to access the Settings menu.

Is dark mode available in all versions of Outlook for Windows?

Dark mode is available in the new Outlook app for Windows 11. Steps may vary slightly depending on your device and operating system version, but the general process should apply to most versions of the app.

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Tags: #Productivity #Windows 11