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To make Microsoft Paint dark, open Paint, select the Settings gear in the upper-right corner, find App theme (or the equivalent appearance setting), and choose Dark. If you want Paint to change whenever Windows changes themes, choose System instead. Restart Paint if the interface does not update immediately.
Enable dark mode directly in Paint
- Open Microsoft Paint from the Start menu.
- Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
- Open App theme, Theme, or the similarly named appearance control. The label can vary between Paint builds.
- Select Dark.
- Close and reopen Paint if its toolbar or menus remain light.
This changes Paint’s interface—menus, toolbars, dialogs, and surrounding controls—without changing the colors in your drawing.
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Choose System in Paint’s theme setting when you want it synchronized with Windows. Then configure Windows at Settings > Personalization > Colors > Choose your mode. Windows provides Light, Dark, and Custom modes. In Custom mode, set the Windows and app modes as needed.
Paint’s Dark option keeps Paint dark even when Windows is light. System follows the current Windows appearance. Windows dark mode does not force every application to become dark; Microsoft notes that apps can have independent settings and that some apps do not support dark mode (Microsoft’s Windows color guidance).
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If Paint has no dark-mode option
Paint is updated as a Microsoft Store app, so settings and availability can differ by installed build. Try this sequence:
- Close Paint completely and open it again. Check the gear icon, not only Windows Settings.
- Open the Microsoft Store, select Library, and install any available Paint update.
- Install pending Windows updates, then restart Windows.
- In Paint’s settings, look for About, App information, or a version entry. You can also inspect Paint under Windows’ installed-app settings.
- Confirm that you launched the current Microsoft Paint app, rather than a legacy executable or another drawing program.
Microsoft first announced the modern dark theme in 2023 for Insider builds (version 11.2304.17.0 in Canary/Dev and later 11.2304.26.0 in Beta). Those numbers are historical rollout versions, not a universal requirement today. Paint continues to receive versioned updates; Microsoft’s release notes, for example, list version 11.2605.61.0 in a June 2026 Insider release (Paint release notes). If the control is still missing after updating and restarting, record your Windows and Paint versions before assuming the feature is unavailable.
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Why Paint may still look light
- Paint is set to System: Windows may currently be using Light, or Custom mode may have apps set to Light. Select Dark in Paint for a fixed dark interface.
- The app has not refreshed: Restart Paint; a full Windows restart can help after an update.
- Windows is dark but Paint is light: Global Windows dark mode does not override an app’s own theme preference.
- Accessibility settings are affecting colors: A contrast theme or color filter can change the appearance differently from ordinary dark mode.
Does Paint dark mode make the canvas black?
No. Dark mode is an interface preference. A white canvas can remain white while Paint’s frame and controls become dark, and the saved image is not automatically inverted or recolored. To create a dark image, you must edit or fill the artwork separately.
Improve readability beyond ordinary dark mode
Dark gray controls are not comfortable for everyone. For stronger separation, open Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes and choose a suitable contrast theme. You can also turn off Transparency effects in Windows when translucent controls are difficult to distinguish. These options affect more of Windows than Paint alone, so review the preview before applying them (Microsoft’s contrast-theme guidance).
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Night light is different: it warms the display’s color temperature for evening use and does not enable Paint’s dark interface. Dark mode may feel more comfortable in a dim room for some people, but it is not a guaranteed treatment for eye strain; brightness, room lighting, contrast, text size, and display quality also matter.
Paint is not Paint 3D
Microsoft Paint and Paint 3D are separate applications. Paint 3D was deprecated and removed from the Microsoft Store on November 4, 2024 (Microsoft’s deprecated-features list). These instructions apply to the current Microsoft Paint app.
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- A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
Quick choice guide
| Goal | Setting |
|---|---|
| Keep only Paint dark | Paint settings > App theme > Dark |
| Synchronize Paint with Windows | Paint settings > App theme > System, then set Windows’ mode under Personalization > Colors |
| Maximize visual separation | Use a Windows Contrast theme, optionally with transparency disabled |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make only Paint dark?
Yes. Select Dark in Paint’s own App theme setting. This does not change Windows’ overall theme.
Can Paint automatically follow Windows dark mode?
Yes. Set Paint’s theme to System, then choose Dark or Custom under Settings > Personalization > Colors.
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- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
Why is Paint still white after I choose Dark?
Restart Paint, verify the setting was saved, install Paint and Windows updates, and restart Windows. Also check that you are opening the current Microsoft Paint app.
Does Paint dark mode affect saved images?
No. It changes the app interface only; the canvas and saved image colors remain unchanged.
Do I need Windows Insider to use Paint dark mode?
The feature was originally announced through Insider builds, but current availability depends on the Paint app build installed on your PC. Check for Microsoft Store and Windows updates rather than relying on the old Insider version numbers.
The Bottom Line
Use Paint’s gear icon and select Dark for a Paint-only dark interface, or select System to follow Windows 11. If the control is missing, update the app and Windows, restart, and verify that you are using the current Microsoft Paint rather than Paint 3D.
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