Damned blinding UI

marcusus · 27 Jan 2023

Hi,

This last 2 years had my glaucoma really worsening so I went back in using stardock Windowblinds to extend W10 dark mode.
I already used it in W7 (without dark mode as W7 doesn't have any) and thought W10 would update the system's %$@&# non skinned UI parts and I was wrong : dialogs/legacy apps and some sytem UI parts display black text on white background : due to my condition, I'm blinded by these. Even W11 lacks total dark mode with the same blindind parts.

So I'm wondering : would patching the system for UXthemes help le in removing these blindings parts or is there another way ?

Of course I know of high contrast mode, but this is so ugly, graphically speaking, that I'm not reluctant to use it.

Thanks for you help.

dalchina · 28 Jan 2023

Unfortunately there's probably no single solution. Some 3rd party programs use non-standard frames which programs life Stardock's - or Windows dark mode- and others cannot modify.

I can't speak for Windows dark mode as I've never used it, but I have adapted both backgrounds to file explorer and browsers such that in many places I'm not looking at an off-white background, without using dark mode.

marcusus · 28 Jan 2023

Explorer and browser backgrounds aren't the issue as latests windowblinds builds skin it and browsers nowadays implement dark UI or themes doing it.
I talk about files transfer dialog for instance, the RUN (win+r) dialog for exemples, many more and of course bad coded software using hardcoded backgrounds preventing the OS settings to take place.
I have the same issue with my android smartphone where, in dark mode, many apps don't follow "the rules".

NTN · 28 Jan 2023

10 Best Windows 11 Dark Themes & Skins in 2023
Personally I feel the Ubuntu-look is pleasant.

marcusus · 12 Feb 2023

You may use any and whatever dark themes available or even customzation software like windowblinds, the issue is that they work on non hardcoded UI parts or for modern apps.

I suspect that some windows parts like Run dialog, network drive connect, Add a network area, UAC control, for those that come to my mind are background hardcoded : the only way to get rid of white backgroud being is the ugly and few customization options high contrast mode.

Callender · 12 Feb 2023

Just adjust Gamma/ brightness. This works well for me.

Download Gamma Panel - MajorGeeks

One of my colleagues uses this:

Dimmer - Adjust the brightness of all monitors, screens and displays

Often your graphics control panel might have similar options to adjust.

Also check out:

Download Gammy - MajorGeeks

Dark Knight · 21 Feb 2023

Windows Blinds may be ok but the problem with it is that Stardock has not figured a way to skin the entire OS, certain elements like the control panel (system32) are always left unskinned which in my opinion just ruins the entire flow of the theme.

There are custom theme designers that use a UXTheme patcher or UxThemeSignature Bypass that are able to skin the entire operating system which I find more aesthetically pleasing, the entire OS is themed so I can use a dark theme because my eyes are going too, you may have better luck going that way.

As long as you are running Windows 10 Sites like Virtual Customs and Mega Themer or Deviant Art may get you there, Windows 11 however is a different story.

Just do yourself a favor , stay away from sites such as Skinpacks and Cleo Desktop , these guys are thieves that steal other peoples free works and sell them at a price.

Compumind · 4 Weeks Ago

IMHO -

Stardock Products are half-baked.

FWIW.

Dark Knight · 4 Weeks Ago

Compumind said:

IMHO -

Stardock Products are half-baked.

FWIW.

I was gonna say it , but didn't want the backlash from the Stardock fanboys here ...

Compumind · 4 Weeks Ago

Dark Knight said:

I was gonna say it , but didn't want the backlash from the Stardock fanboys here ...

Don't get me wrong. They create some nice stuff, but they never cross the finish line.
For example, Start 11 still does not have an XP like Flyout Menu after many requests.