Microsoft SQL Server Studio - Dark Mode

Question

Is there any official method to use Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Studio with Dark Mode?

Answer 1

Hi @Kıvanç ÖZDEMİR,

You can try a solution that outlined here: https://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/7218/dark-mode-ssms-configuration/

Answer 2

You might want to give SQL Shades a try - I've been using it a short time and its better than the old hacky solutions. https://www.sqlshades.com/

Answer 3

Run this Python code as Administator.
SSMS 19 added, modify the path to your SSMS installation folder if need.

import pathlib
import re
def modify_file(source_path, target_path, pattern, replacement):
    """
    Reads the content of source_path, replaces occurrences of pattern with replacement,
    and writes the results back to target_path.
    """
    # Ensure the source file exists before trying to read it
    if source_path.exists():
        content = source_path.read_text()
        modified_content = re.sub(pattern, replacement, content)
        target_path.write_text(modified_content)
        print(f"Updated file: {target_path}")
    else:
        print(f"File not found: {source_path}")
# Define paths and pattern for replacement
paths_versions = {
    16: ("C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server\\130\\Tools\\Binn\\ManagementStudio\\ssms.pkgundef",
         "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server\\140\\Tools\\Binn\\ManagementStudio\\ssms.pkgundef"),
    17: ("C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server\\140\\Tools\\Binn\\ManagementStudio\\ssms.pkgundef",
         "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server\\140\\Tools\\Binn\\ManagementStudio\\ssms.pkgundef"),
    18: ("C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\\Common7\\IDE\\ssms.pkgundef",
         "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\\Common7\\IDE\\ssms.pkgundef"),
    19: ("C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 19\\Common7\\IDE\\ssms.pkgundef",
         "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 19\\Common7\\IDE\\ssms.pkgundef")
}
pattern = r'''\[\`\$RootKey\`\$\\Themes\\{1ded0138-47ce-435e-84ef-9ec1f439b749}\]'''
replacement = r'''//[`$RootKey`$\\Themes\{1ded0138-47ce-435e-84ef-9ec1f439b749}]'''
# Process each version
for version, (source, target) in paths_versions.items():
    source_path = pathlib.Path(source)
    target_path = pathlib.Path(target)
    modify_file(source_path, target_path, pattern, replacement)

Answer 4

https://www.sqlshack.com/setting-up-the-dark-theme-in-sql-server-management-studio/

This just worked for me to add the Dark option back to 20.

Answer 5

SSMS Dark mode has was added to the latest SQL Server Management Studio 21 Preview release. This SSMS preview can be installed side-by-side with earlier versions.

Although SSMS 21 with the Dark Mode feature is not yet GA (as of this writing), consider installing it to try it out and provide feedback to the product team.