Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update improves and breaks dark mode | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update improves and breaks dark modeComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMicrosoftCloseMicrosoftPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MicrosoftMicrosoft’s latest Windows 11 update improves and breaks dark modeMicrosoft is now working on a fix for a brief white screen flash when opening File Explorer.Microsoft is now working on a fix for a brief white screen flash when opening File Explorer.by Tom WarrenCloseTom WarrenSenior EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom WarrenDec 2, 2025, 11:34 AM UTCLinkShareImage: Cath Virginia / The VergeTom WarrenCloseTom WarrenPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom Warren is a senior editor and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.You can’t make this up. Microsoft shipped a Windows 11 update yesterday that is supposed to make dark mode more consistent, with dialogs in File Explorer finally getting a dark mode for actions like copying, moving, or deleting files and folders. You get all that, but Microsoft will also treat you with a giant white flash every time you open File Explorer.“After installing KB5070311, you might experience issues when opening File Explorer in dark mode,” admits Microsoft in the known issues section of its new Windows 11 update. “The window might briefly display a blank white screen before loading files and folders.”The white flash is like a flash bang if you’re working in the dark with dark mode enabled, and Microsoft says it’s now working on a fix for the problem. If you don’t want to wait for an official fix, you can also use a Windhawk mod to return File Explorer dark mode to normal.RelatedWindows 11’s dark mode is getting more consistent in File ExplorerMicrosoft is finally improving Windows 11’s dark modeWindows 11’s Run prompt is getting a dark modeIt’s odd that Microsoft didn’t catch this very obvious bug in testing, especially as the company has committed to a more “consistent dark mode experience” generally across Windows 11. The Run dialog in Windows 11 is also getting a dark mode soon, as well improvements to progress bars and charts views, and confirmation and error dialogs.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Tom WarrenCloseTom WarrenSenior EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Tom WarrenMicrosoftCloseMicrosoftPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MicrosoftNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechWindowsCloseWindowsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All WindowsMost PopularMost PopularNetflix kills casting from phonesThe Nintendo Switch 2 got its first-ever discount during Cyber MondayThese great Cyber Monday tech deals will likely be gone tomorrowMKBHD is taking down his wallpaper appApple’s smallest iPad just got its biggest price cut for Cyber MondayThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update introduced improvements to dark mode consistency, specifically addressing the long-standing issue of inconsistent dark mode implementation across various File Explorer actions. The update, delivered via the KB5070311 update, aimed to provide a more uniform experience for users employing dark mode, particularly when performing tasks such as copying, moving, or deleting files and folders. However, the update simultaneously introduced a significant and disruptive bug: a brief, white screen flash that occurs upon opening File Explorer in dark mode. Microsoft acknowledged this issue within the known issues section of the update, detailing that the window momentarily displays a blank white screen before loading files and folders. This unexpected flash presents a potentially problematic experience, particularly for users working in darker environments who rely on dark mode for reduced eye strain and improved visual comfort. The release highlights a lapse in quality assurance, considering Microsoft’s stated commitment to a more consistently refined dark mode experience across the broader Windows 11 operating system. Currently, Microsoft is actively working on a resolution to this problem, offering a workaround through a Windhawk mod for users seeking an immediate solution. The situation underscores the complexities inherent in software development and the critical importance of thorough testing, even during feature improvements.