If you’re a fair dinkum iTunes fan using Windows 11, you probably want to avoid getting blinded during those late-night playlists. The truth is, iTunes doesn’t have an official dark mode on Windows, which is a bit of a pain. But no worries — the system-wide dark mode in Windows can get you pretty close. It’s not perfect — because, of course, Windows likes to make things a bit harder — but it does the trick for most of us.
How to Make iTunes Dark Mode on Windows 11
This trick basically switches your whole PC theme to dark, so all compatible apps, including iTunes, follow suit. Here’s the step-by-step. Fair warning, sometimes you’ll need to restart or relaunch iTunes to see the change. On some setups, iTunes might be a bit stubborn at first, but a quick reboot usually does the trick.
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
Hit the Start menu or press Win + I to open Settings. Look for “Personalisation”—that’s where you can tinker with how your PC looks.
Step 2: Click on ‘Personalisation’
This is where you can mess with wallpapers, themes, colours, and the like. It’s the sandbox for making your PC look just how you want it.
Step 3: Choose ‘Colors’ from the Side Menu
This section controls how the interface and apps look. It’s where you flip between light and dark themes. Feeling a bit darker? Just select ‘Dark’ here.
Step 4: Set ‘Choose your default Windows mode’ to ‘Dark’
On the ‘Colors’ page, you’ll see a drop-down or toggle for “Choose your default Windows mode.” Switch it from Light to Dark. This makes the system UI and compatible apps (including parts of iTunes) darker. It’s not a perfect match — iTunes itself might stay a bit bright — but it’ll cut down the glare quite a bit.
Step 5: Restart iTunes (or give your PC a quick reboot)
Close iTunes, then open it again. Sometimes it needs a quick refresh. If that doesn’t do the trick, a quick restart of your PC usually helps the theme change take effect. Don’t worry if everything looks a bit funky for a moment — it’ll settle down.
Tips for Getting iTunes to Play Nice in Dark Mode on Windows 11
- Pair dark mode with night light settings to cut blue light — your eyes will thank you.
- Make sure iTunes is up to date; older versions can be a bit temperamental with themes.
- Try your other favourite apps — see if they switch to dark or stay stubborn.
- Adjust accent colours in ‘Colors’ if Contrast looks weird or you have trouble seeing.
- Keep Windows up-to-date. Sometimes Microsoft sneaks in tweaks that improve dark mode support.
FAQs
Is there a dedicated dark mode toggle for iTunes in Windows?
Nah, not really. Like most Windows apps, iTunes doesn’t have its own toggle. It depends on the system theme. Switch Windows to dark, and iTunes will follow most of the way.
Will changing to dark mode muck about with other apps?
Depends. Some apps like Chrome or Edge will follow your system setting, others might stay bright. It’s a bit hit and miss, but generally it’ll help with tired eyes.
Does dark mode really save battery life?
Good one. On OLED screens, yes — less white means less power. For regular LCDs, the difference isn’t huge. But less glare is good for your eyes — and maybe even your sleep.
Can I schedule dark mode to turn on automatically?
Windows 11 doesn’t have a built-in schedule, but there are third-party tools like “Auto Dark Mode” if you wanna automate it based on time or sunset and sunrise.
Will it slow down my PC?
Nah, switching themes is mostly visual. It shouldn’t affect performance, but it’ll help ease the eye strain if you’re staring at the screen long hours.
Quick Summary
- Go to Settings > Personalisation.
- Select Colors.
- Set ‘Choose your default Windows mode’ to Dark.
- Close and restart iTunes to see if it’s playing ball.
Sometimes, you might need a full reboot for everything to sit right. Not sure why, but it’s a bit of a wait-and-see game. Still, it’s a handy way to make iTunes less blinding without waiting for Apple to roll out an official dark mode.
All in all, applying system-wide dark mode on Windows 11 is a pretty simple workaround to keep the bright screens at bay. Not a perfect fix — iTunes might stay a touch brighter — but it’s a right decent compromise. If it makes late-night listening a bit easier on the eyes, it’s worth a crack. Fingers crossed, mate!