Windows 11 is missing a key feature, and PowerToys is finally bringing it

Earlier this week, Microsoft released PowerToys 0.94 with a bunch of new features, such as search, keyboard shortcut resolution, and a new cursor accessibility feature. Besides detailing what is new in the update, Microsoft revealed its plans for the next release. With PowerToys version 0.95, Microsoft wants to address a long-missing feature in Windows 11 and 10: automatic theme switching.

While Microsoft is improving Windows 11's dark mode by finally applying it to various Win32 surfaces, the operating system still does not know how to switch themes automatically. If you want to enable dark mode on sunset and disable it on sunrise, you have to opt for third-party apps like Auto Dark Mode from the Microsoft Store. Now, this capability is coming to PowerToys.

The next PowerToys update will let you schedule when Windows 11 should switch its theme. Here is what Microsoft said:

We are planning some nice new features and improvements for next month – a revamped Keyboard Manager UI, and a new utility that can automatically switch between light and dark mode based on your schedule! Stay tuned!

It is a bit odd that Microsoft still won't make theme switching a native Windows 11 feature. Perhaps, it will eventually make it to the operating system after spending some time as part of PowerToys. After all, there was a time when the ability to change display resolution was a PowerToys module (back in the days of Windows 95), so hopefully, Microsoft will make this advance feature part of Windows 11 or whatever comes after it sometime in the future.

In addition to theme switching, PowerToys 0.95 will introduce a redesigned Keyboard Manager UI. Its first images appeared all the way back in January 2024, and Microsoft is finally ready to ship it to the public.

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Posted Thursday 4 September 2025 at 4:39 am AEST (my time).

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