To turn on Windows high contrast, choose a contrast theme in Windows 11 or enable High contrast in Windows 10. Windows 11 calls the feature Contrast themes; Microsoft’s support pages still use “high contrast mode” as a familiar name. You can also adjust the theme’s colors or switch it off when you’re done.
Turn on or off high contrast in Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes. You can also press Windows key + U to open Accessibility settings.
- Choose a theme from the Contrast themes menu, then select Apply.
- To turn it off, select None from the menu, then select Apply.
For a quick toggle, press Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen. This shortcut toggles the selected theme.
Turn on or off high contrast in Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings > Ease of Access > High contrast.
- Turn on Turn on high contrast, then choose a theme under Choose a theme.
- To turn it off, switch off Turn on high contrast.
The shortcut Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen also quickly toggles high contrast mode in Windows 10.
Enable high contrast before signing in
If you need a different display before entering Windows, select the Ease of access button in the lower-right corner of the sign-in screen, then switch on the High Contrast control. Microsoft documents this option in its sign-in and high contrast guidance.
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Customize and save a contrast theme
Windows lets you adjust the colors used for different screen elements. In Windows 11, select a theme and choose Edit. In Windows 10, select the colored rectangles for the elements you want to change. Available elements include background, text, hyperlinks, inactive or disabled text, selected text, and button text.
- Choose an element to edit and select a color. In the Windows 11 editor, you can specify color using RGB, HSV, or a hexadecimal value.
- Use the brightness slider to tune the color, then choose Done.
- To keep your changes as a custom theme, select Save as, name the theme, and select Save and apply. In Windows 10, apply the changes after customizing.
Microsoft’s instructions for the settings and customization are in Change color contrast in Windows.
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What changes when you apply a theme?
Microsoft says, “Using a high contrast theme changes the contrast on Windows and most apps.” Its example is Word: document colors adjust to the selected theme, though you can still change ordinary text colors. The visible result may vary by app, so check the programs and documents you use regularly after applying or customizing a theme. See Microsoft’s color and contrast guidance for Microsoft 365.
Choose the setting that addresses your visibility problem
Contrast themes are useful when text and screen items blend together, a background feels too white, or glare makes details hard to distinguish. This is Microsoft’s accessibility guidance, not a guarantee that the setting will suit everyone.
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| What you want to change | Windows feature | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Make text and interface elements stand out through stronger color contrast | Contrast themes (Windows 11) or High contrast (Windows 10) | Accessibility settings; paths above |
| Differentiate colors for color-vision needs | Color filters, including filters for deuteranopia, protanopia, and tritanopia | Accessibility settings |
| Use darker interface colors | Dark mode | Settings > Personalization > Colors |
| Make text larger | Text size or display scaling controls | Accessibility or display settings |
| Enlarge screen content | Magnifier | Accessibility settings |
These tools solve different problems: a contrast theme changes contrast, not screen size; color filters change the palette; Dark mode changes the overall color mode. Microsoft recommends checking the result of color filters in the apps you use most. Its overview of these options is Make Windows easier to see.
Troubleshooting
The shortcut does not toggle the theme
Press the full combination: Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen. If you are on a laptop, the Print Screen key may require a function-key combination, depending on the keyboard. You can always use the Contrast themes or High contrast settings path instead.
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The theme is on, but an app still looks different
The setting affects Windows and most apps, not necessarily every app in exactly the same way. Check the theme inside the application you are using; for example, Microsoft notes that Word adjusts document colors under a contrast theme.
Text is still hard to read
If the main issue is text size, adjust text size or display scaling rather than expecting a contrast theme to enlarge content. If you need to magnify only part of the screen, try Magnifier. For difficulty distinguishing colors, test an appropriate color filter in the apps you use regularly.
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