- Windows 11’s dark state has long remained unfinished
- Microsoft brings dark state to some new parts of the interface, based on clues that are spotted in testing
- This includes dialog boxes with file operations, e.g. When you copy files opposite one folder to another
If you are using Dark Mode in Windows 11, you may have noticed that it does not cover the entire operating system – but it seems that Microsoft is finally filling the gaps.
Dark Mode is an option you can choose from Windows 11, which, as the name suggests, provides a dark background for Windows and Interface Elements (and some stock Microsoft apps too). So if you use your PC late at night, you can avoid the hardness of the traditional white backgrounds, which may be a bit dazzling under low light conditions.
Windows 11s File Drift (Copy, Access Nexted, etc.) Dialogues finally get support for dark state! This is what the dialogues look in dark state at this time, hidden in Build 26100.5061. Also, place the lightweight buttons in the upper right, still a job in progress of course. pic.twitter.com/3d00lwijcnAugust 15, 2025
Specifically, it is dialog boxes for file operations that get a dark background when Dark Mode is turned on – but the catch is that this work is not yet in testing. It is still hidden in the background of the preview building, and the leaks activated it using a Windows configuration tool.
‘File operation’ refers to the parts of the interface that appear when you copy files opposite, say, a USB stick to a folder on the desktop, and there are also dialog boxes when deleting files (to get confirmation). Another example is ‘Access denied’ warning box, which you can see below – as it seems that Microsoft has not quite finished working on as the buttons are still light gray.
Analysis: Dark times
So this is still an ongoing job and it is hidden away in Preview right now (which means even testers will not see it yet unless they fudge it to appear as Phantomofearth has done). Although it is not yet official yet, I do not see that Microsoft is not pushing forward with this change – after all, the company has to use dark mode across the entire Windows 11 interface in the end.
In fact, the question is: Why has it taken so long for Microsoft to implement a full realization of Dark Mode in Windows anyway? Dark Mode was first introduced in Windows 10, back in mid -2016 (as part of the anniversary update), but unfortunately it was inconsistent back at that time.
Since then, Microsoft has been working on incorporating Dark Mode into several Windows 11 interface elements – there was a remarkable activity of activity back in 2020 – but let’s see it, progress has been painfully sluggish.
Hopefully this is a sign that Microsoft is back on the case and that several of the last touches will finally be used for Dark Mode in Windows 11.
Given how long this has taken, you can guess that the reason for dark state left in an unfinished state is because not so many people use it, but I can’t imagine this is the case – I use it definitely. So get your skates on Microsoft – it’s really not a good look that some bit of the Windows environment has been left out in the cold (or should it be back in the dazzling light?) For so long.
