Schedule Theme Changes in Windows 11 Based on Time of Day

If you use Windows 11 PCs, you can switch between Light Mode and Dark Mode based on the time of day. While Windows doesn’t have a built-in feature to schedule theme changes automatically, you can do this using Task Scheduler or a third-party app called Auto Dark Mode.

These are the step-by-step guide to schedule your Windows 11 theme to switch automatically based on the time of day.

Method 1: Automatically switching themes via Task Scheduler

You can use Task Scheduler, which is a built-in Windows tool that lets you schedule a Windows 11 theme change based on the time of day.

Create a Task for Light Theme Using Task Scheduler

Step 1: Press Windows + S to open Windows Search, then type “Task Scheduler” to open it.

Step 2: On the right panel, click “Create Task.” In the “Name” field, type Enable Light Theme to name the task and Check Run with highest privileges.

Step 3: Navigate to “Triggers.” Tab. Click “New” at the bottom, and a new triggers page will open. On the left side, select “Daily” if you want to run the task every day. On the right side of the same page, select the time you want your PCs to start using the light theme and Check Enabled. Finally, click “OK” at the bottom.

Step 4: Navigate to the “Actions” tab. Click New to add a new action. Select Start a Program. In the Program/Script field, type “reg.” Then, select the Add Arguments field and enter the following:

add “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize” /v SystemUsesLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Step 5: Click OK again to save the task.

Create a Task for Dark Theme Using Task Scheduler

Step 1: Press Windows + S to open Windows Search, then type “Task Scheduler” to open it.

Step 2: On the right panel, click “Create Task.” In the “Name” field, type Enable Dark Theme to name the task and Check Run with highest privileges.

add “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize” /v SystemUsesLightTheme /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Step 5: Click OK again to save the task.

Method 2 : Automatically switching themes via Auto Dark Mode App

If you prefer a simpler and hassle free alternative to Task Scheduler, you can use a free third-party application called Auto Dark Mode. This app is on the Microsoft Store which automatically switches between light and dark themes based on the time of day for your Windows PC.

Step 1: Download and Install Auto Dark Mode from Microsoft Store.

Step 2: Open the Auto Dark Mode app and navigate to the Time settings section. Then, select Set custom hours and specify your preferred start and end times for both Light Mode and Dark Mode.

Step 3: Turn on the Enable automatic theme switching at the top.

If you like to set a desktop background that changes automatically as the theme changes, first select the “Personalization” feature from the left side menu of the application. Then, in the right side of the application, select “Choose a wallpaper” option under “Pick a Wallpaper.” Thereafter enable the toggle on that says “Enable Wallpaper switch”. Then use the dropdown under “Mode” to select which theme (light or dark) will have the wallpaper you want to choose.

Step 4: Scroll down to the same page and Click the “Pick File” button to choose the image you wish to set as your desktop wallpaper. And you are done.

Method 3 : Create PowerShell Scripts for Light and Dark Mode

If you do not want to use manual settings to change your Windows theme, you can write simple automated commands (called scripts) using PowerShell to switch between light and dark themes on your Windows computer.

Create PowerShell Scripts for Light Mode

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run, type Notepad, and click OK.

Step 2: Type the following powershell scripts for Light Mode.

New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name AppsUseLightTheme -Value 1 -PropertyType DWord -Force

New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name SystemUsesLightTheme -Value 1 -PropertyType DWord -Force

Step 3: Go to File > Save As, name the file lightmode.ps1, change Save as type to All Files, and save it to the desktop.

Create PowerShell Scripts for Dark Mode

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run, type Notepad, and click OK.

Step 2: Type the following powershell scripts for Light Mode.

New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name AppsUseLightTheme -Value 0 -PropertyType DWord -Force

New-ItemProperty -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Themes\Personalize -Name SystemUsesLightTheme -Value 0 -PropertyType DWord -Force

Step 3: Go to File > Save As, name the file darkmode.ps1, change Save as type to All Files, and save it to the desktop.

Final Thought :Schedule Theme Changes in Windows 11 Based on Time of Day

Using Task Scheduler, Auto Dark Mode, or PowerShell scripts, you can easily automate theme switching in Windows 11 based on the time of day. Task Scheduler and PowerShell scripts provide a manual approach, while Auto Dark Mode is a free application that offers a more user-friendly solution.

Still confused or stuck about Schedule Theme Changes in Windows 11 Based on Time of Day? Leave your questions in the comments or call me at +1– 844-405-0212. I am here to help!

Stay updated with more at www.365dayson.com !