DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE confusion

Question

DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE confusion

a b 16

Hi

I have a C++ Windows app (Qt) that uses Win32 titlebars and I'm working on adding dark theme support for it. I learned that you can set DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE attribute on a window so that title bars will be rendered in dark theme but I have a couple of questions about it.

Docs for DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE state that if its value is TRUE then title bar will follow system-wide dark theme setting. This doesn't match with actual behaviour at runtime since when I tried to set it to TRUE, title bar became black even though the system was in light theme. Is documentation incorrect? For the record, actual behaviour is desired since documented behaviour will not allow to override dark theme setting in app.
1. What is its relationship with DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR attribute? I tried to set DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR to dark color without touching DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE and title bar still became dark. Do I need to use DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE when I set
  DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR?

Junjie Zhu - MSFT 6,721 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2022-08-16T09:55:11.557+00:00

Hi @a b
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

Docs for DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE state that if its value is TRUE then title bar will follow system-wide dark theme setting. This doesn't match with actual behaviour at runtime since when I tried to set it to TRUE, title bar became black even though the system was in light theme. Is documentation incorrect? For the record, actual behaviour is desired since documented behaviour will not allow to override dark theme setting in app.

I also reproduced the same issue, the dark theme did not change with the system.
I'll check with the team to see if this is a bug, or a documentation error.
I will update below if there is any progress.

What is its relationship with DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR attribute? I tried to set DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR to dark color without touching DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE and title bar still became dark. Do I need to use DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE when I set DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR?

There is no direct connection between the two. From my test, I found that the setting priority of DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR is higher than that of DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE.

Thank you.
Junjie
a b 16 Reputation points

2022-08-16T18:18:44.947+00:00

Thanks!

Can I set DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR to any color (dark or light) and expect Windows adjust any related title bar visuals (like text color) accordingly without use of DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE? It seems that this is what Windows does but it isn't documented either. I'm asking because DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE sets title bar background to black and that's not exactly what I want (I need it to match my window background color).
Junjie Zhu - MSFT 6,721 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2022-09-01T06:06:33.98+00:00

Hi @a b ,

It's been a few days, may my answer help you?
a b 16 Reputation points

2022-09-28T20:02:34.7+00:00

It did help, thank you!

Junjie Zhu - MSFT 6,721 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2022-08-16T09:55:11.557+00:00

Hi @a b
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

Docs for DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE state that if its value is TRUE then title bar will follow system-wide dark theme setting. This doesn't match with actual behaviour at runtime since when I tried to set it to TRUE, title bar became black even though the system was in light theme. Is documentation incorrect? For the record, actual behaviour is desired since documented behaviour will not allow to override dark theme setting in app.

I also reproduced the same issue, the dark theme did not change with the system.
I'll check with the team to see if this is a bug, or a documentation error.
I will update below if there is any progress.

What is its relationship with DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR attribute? I tried to set DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR to dark color without touching DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE and title bar still became dark. Do I need to use DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE when I set DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR?

There is no direct connection between the two. From my test, I found that the setting priority of DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR is higher than that of DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE.

Thank you.
Junjie
a b 16 Reputation points

2022-08-16T18:18:44.947+00:00

Thanks!

Can I set DWMWA_CAPTION_COLOR to any color (dark or light) and expect Windows adjust any related title bar visuals (like text color) accordingly without use of DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE? It seems that this is what Windows does but it isn't documented either. I'm asking because DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE sets title bar background to black and that's not exactly what I want (I need it to match my window background color).
Junjie Zhu - MSFT 6,721 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2022-09-01T06:06:33.98+00:00

Hi @a b ,

It's been a few days, may my answer help you?
a b 16 Reputation points

2022-09-28T20:02:34.7+00:00

It did help, thank you!

Answer 1

Hi @a b

After reading your latest comment, I understand your needs.

Support Dark and Light themes in Win32 apps

This article provides a complete introduction,

How to detect the current theme of the system (Dark or Light) ;
How to use DwmSetWindowAttribute.

Thank you.
Junjie

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DWMWA_USE_IMMERSIVE_DARK_MODE confusion

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