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How to Use Windows High Contrast Mode

Windows 11 calls it Contrast themes; Windows 10 calls it High contrast. Learn how to turn it on, customize colors, and use the keyboard shortcut.
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To turn on high contrast in Windows, choose a contrast theme in Settings and apply it. Windows 11 calls the feature Contrast themes; Windows 10 calls it High contrast. You can pick a preset, customize its colors, and quickly toggle it with a keyboard shortcut.

Turn on or off high contrast in Windows

Windows 11

  1. Open Start > Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes. Or press Windows key + U to open Accessibility settings.
  2. Choose a theme from the Contrast themes menu, then select Apply.
  3. To turn it off, choose None from the menu and select Apply.

Windows 10

  1. Open Start > Settings > Ease of Access > High contrast.
  2. Turn on Turn on high contrast, then choose a theme under Choose a theme.
  3. To turn it off, switch off Turn on high contrast.

Use the keyboard shortcut

Press Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen to toggle the selected high contrast theme in Windows 10 or Windows 11. If a confirmation prompt appears, confirm the change. This toggles the feature; use Settings to choose or edit a theme.

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Turn it on at the sign-in screen

At the Windows sign-in screen, select the Ease of access button in the lower-right corner and switch on the High Contrast control. This changes the display before you sign in. See Microsoft’s sign-in and toggle guidance.

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Choose the best color and contrast settings for you

Microsoft suggests trying a contrast theme if text or screen details seem blurry or blend into the background, the background feels too white, or bright light or glare makes details harder to see. Strong contrast may make items easier to distinguish, but results vary by person and app. It is an accessibility setting, not a medical treatment.

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Start with a preset, then test it in the places you read and work most. Microsoft’s Windows contrast instructions cover the available themes and editing controls.

Customize and save a contrast theme

Windows lets you adjust colors for elements such as the background, text, hyperlinks, inactive or disabled text, selected text, and button text.

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Windows 11

  1. Open Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes and select a theme.
  2. Select Edit. Choose an element’s color and adjust brightness with the slider. The editor also supports specifying a color with RGB, HSV, or a hexadecimal value.
  3. Select Done. To keep your changes as a theme, select Save as, enter a name, and select Save and apply.

Windows 10

  1. Open Settings > Ease of Access > High contrast and choose a theme.
  2. Select the colored rectangles for the elements you want to change, choose colors, and adjust brightness.
  3. Select Apply to use the customized colors.

What changes in apps?

Microsoft says a high contrast theme changes contrast in Windows and most apps. Its example is Word: document colors adjust to the theme, while ordinary text color changes remain available. App behavior can differ, so check the programs and documents you rely on after applying a theme. Microsoft’s Microsoft 365 accessibility guidance explains the app effect.

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Choose the right Windows accessibility setting

Contrast themes alter color contrast. If your main difficulty is different, another built-in setting may fit better:

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Need Windows feature What it changes
Text or items blend into the background Contrast themes / High contrast Adjusts contrast and colors across Windows and most apps.
Distinguish colors Color filters Applies a palette filter; Windows includes options for deuteranopia, protanopia, and tritanopia. Check the result in the apps you use.
Prefer a darker interface Dark mode Changes the overall color mode. Find it under Settings > Personalization > Colors.
Text is too small Text size or display scaling Makes text or interface content larger rather than changing contrast.
Need to enlarge a portion of the screen Magnifier Magnifies screen content rather than recoloring it.

Microsoft’s accessibility overview describes these separate options. Contrast themes do not magnify content or necessarily solve color-perception needs.

Troubleshooting

  • You cannot find the setting: Check the Windows version-specific path above. Windows 11 uses Accessibility > Contrast themes; Windows 10 uses Ease of Access > High contrast.
  • The shortcut does not seem to work: Press Left Alt, Left Shift, and Print Screen together. If it prompts for confirmation, accept it; use Settings if you need to pick a different theme.
  • An app’s colors look different from Windows: The setting affects most apps, not necessarily every app identically. Check the app itself and test your theme in frequently used programs.
  • Colors still do not distinguish information: Try the relevant color filter and inspect the result in your usual apps. A contrast theme and a color filter address different needs.
  • The interface is darker, but text is still hard to read: Dark mode changes the overall color mode; adjust contrast or text size separately if that is the problem.
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