Change theme in Windows 11? This is how!

Stefan
customize windows 11 theme

Windows 11 comes with a number of predefined desktop themes. You can use these Windows 11 themes to customize the background, color schemes, sounds and mouse cursor. You can use these themes to customize the appearance of Windows 11 so that it meets your needs.

In Windows 11, you can choose from a number of suggested themes that you can find in Windows Settings or you can download new themes from the Microsoft Store.

In the Microsoft Store you can download not only complete themes, but also software to customize the theme in Windows 11. Software, for example, to build a widget yourself or to customize the taskbar.

Change theme in Windows 11

To change the theme in Windows 11, right-click on the Windows start button. Click on Settings in the menu.

Windows settings

In Windows 11 settings Click on Personal Settings in the left menu. In the right window you will see a menu called: Themes. Click on it to open the Theme settings.

To quickly switch themes, you can also click on one of the example themes located next to the example.

Adjust Windows 11 personal settings

Customize Windows 11 theme components

In the theme settings you will see a number of buttons to change specific theme components. You can select a custom theme background, adjust the color of the theme, apply specific theme sounds to actions and change the mouse cursor. Click on a specific part to adjust it.

Windows 11 theme settings

Under the theme components you will see the current theme you have installed. There are often multiple colorways of a theme available. If these color schemes are available, you will find them under the current theme setting.

Read also
Install Windows Sandbox in Windows 11 or 10 Home

Download themes from the Microsoft Store

To download more themes from the Microsoft Store, click the “Browse Themes” button to the right of the text: Download more themes from the Microsoft Store. The Microsoft Store will then open and you will find more tools to customize the theme and to view and download more examples of different themes.

Customize Windows 11 current theme

Related theme settings

At the very bottom you will find the related settings. These are settings that allow you to customize the theme in Windows 11 a little further. By clicking on the button: Settings for desktop icons you can set a separate icon settings for specific buttons in Windows 11. For example, you can set a different icon settings for “This PC” and for the recycle bin etc.

Windows 11 related theme settings

Contrast themes

If you prefer to set a specific contrast theme in Windows 11 because you are visually impaired or have light sensitivity, you can apply a contrast theme by clicking on: Contrast themes.

Contrast theme settings in Windows 11

You can choose from three suggested contrast themes. The aquatic contrast theme, the desert contrast theme, the twilight contrast theme and the night sky contrast theme. To apply the desired contrast theme, select the theme and click apply.

How to set contrast theme in Windows 11

I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!


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5 comments
  1. Dear,
    I would like to change the themes on my PC, with new photos, but this doesn't work for me. I have taken all the steps, downloaded new themes, applied them, but the theme does not change. Already tried everything. Could you help?

    Sincerely,
    Andréas

  2. Is it also possible to adjust the transitions between the various background images?
    For example, by fading in or out or sliding.
    I think this was possible with previous versions of Windows, but I can't find it here in the settings?
    Thank you very much for your answer.

    Kind regards, Kees

      1. Dear Stephen,
        Thank you for this super fast response and information.
        I had already found this in the settings, but thought I could only use this to show my own photos. And I want to use a Windows theme.
        The photos were then “refreshed”, but this was sometimes accompanied by a flicker, where the images suddenly changed instead of in a smooth movement.
        I'm going to try your explanation.
        Thanks again!!

        Sincerely,
        Kees

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