How To Make Outlook Background Black : Background Color Customization Guide

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Switching your Outlook interface to a black background helps conserve battery on OLED screens. If you are looking for a guide on how to make outlook background black, you have come to the right place. This article walks you through every method, from built-in settings to registry tweaks, so you can reduce eye strain and save power.

Many users prefer a dark theme for better focus and less glare. Whether you use Outlook on Windows, Mac, or the web, there are multiple ways to achieve a black background. Below, we cover all the steps in a simple, actionable manner.

How To Make Outlook Background Black

This section explains the primary methods to change your Outlook background to black. The process varies slightly depending on your version and operating system.

Method 1: Using Outlook’s Built-In Dark Mode

Microsoft introduced a native dark mode for Outlook in recent versions. This is the easiest way to switch to a black background without third-party tools.

  1. Open Outlook on your computer.
  2. Click on File in the top-left corner.
  3. Select Options from the menu.
  4. In the Outlook Options window, go to the General tab.
  5. Under the “Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office” section, find the Office Theme dropdown menu.
  6. Choose Black from the list.
  7. Click OK to apply the changes.

Your entire Outlook interface, including the reading pane and navigation bar, should now appear in a dark color. This method works for Outlook 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 versions.

Method 2: Enabling Dark Mode In Outlook For Microsoft 365

If you use Outlook as part of Microsoft 365, you may have additional options. The dark mode might be located under a different setting.

  1. Launch Outlook and click on File > Options.
  2. Navigate to General and look for Office Theme.
  3. Select Black or Dark Gray.
  4. For a full black background, also check the Disable dark mode option if available (this prevents automatic switching).
  5. Click OK.

Some users report that the reading pane remains white in certain views. If that happens, try the next method to force a complete black background.

Method 3: Changing The Reading Pane Background

Sometimes the reading pane stays light even after applying the dark theme. To fix this, you need to adjust the message background.

  1. Go to View tab in Outlook.
  2. Click on View Settings.
  3. Select Conditional Formatting.
  4. Click Add to create a new rule.
  5. Name the rule “Dark Background” or something similar.
  6. Click Font and choose a light font color (e.g., white).
  7. Click Condition and set it to apply to all messages.
  8. Click OK twice to save.

This workaround changes the font color but does not fully turn the background black. For a true black reading pane, you may need to use a registry hack.

Method 4: Registry Hack For Full Black Background

Advanced users can modify the Windows Registry to force a black background in Outlook. This method works for Outlook 2013, 2016, and later versions.

Warning: Editing the registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Always back up your registry before making changes.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter.
  3. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common
  4. If you see a key named Theme, skip to step 6. Otherwise, right-click on Common, select New > Key, and name it Theme.
  5. Inside the Theme key, right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  6. Name the value Theme.
  7. Double-click on the new value and set the data to 4 (for black) or 5 (for dark gray).
  8. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
  9. Restart Outlook for the changes to take effect.

This hack forces a black background across all Outlook windows, including the reading pane and message list.

Method 5: Using Windows System Dark Mode

If you have Windows 10 or 11, you can enable system-wide dark mode, which affects Outlook as well.

  1. Open Settings (Windows + I).
  2. Go to Personalization > Colors.
  3. Under “Choose your default app mode,” select Dark.
  4. Restart Outlook.

This method may not turn all Outlook elements black, but it often works in conjunction with the Office theme setting.

Method 6: Outlook Web App (OWA) Dark Mode

For users who access Outlook through a web browser, the process is different.

  1. Log in to Outlook on the web (outlook.com or your work portal).
  2. Click on the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
  3. Select View all Outlook settings at the bottom.
  4. Go to General > Appearance.
  5. Under “Theme,” choose Dark or Black.
  6. Click Save.

The web version updates instantly, giving you a black background without any system changes.

Method 7: Third-Party Tools And Add-Ins

If built-in options do not work, you can use third-party tools to customize Outlook’s appearance. Tools like Office Tab or Classic Menu for Office offer additional theming options.

  • Office Tab: Adds tabbed browsing and theme support.
  • Classic Menu: Restores older menu styles and allows color changes.
  • WindowBlinds: A more advanced tool that can skin Outlook entirely.

Be cautious when installing third-party software. Only download from trusted sources to avoid malware.

Method 8: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes the dark mode does not apply correctly. Here are common problems and fixes:

  • Reading pane stays white: Use the registry hack or check if “Use system setting” is enabled.
  • Font becomes invisible: Change font color manually in View Settings.
  • Dark mode reverts after update: Reapply the theme or registry value.
  • Only partial dark mode: Some elements like calendar or contacts may not change. Update Outlook to the latest version.

Method 9: Dark Mode For Outlook On Mac

Mac users can also enjoy a black background in Outlook.

  1. Open Outlook for Mac.
  2. Click on Outlook in the menu bar.
  3. Select Preferences.
  4. Go to General.
  5. Under “Appearance,” choose Dark.
  6. Close the preferences window.

This will turn the entire interface black, including the message list and reading pane.

Method 10: Using High Contrast Mode

Windows offers a High Contrast mode that can make Outlook backgrounds black.

  1. Open Settings > Ease of Access > High contrast.
  2. Turn on High contrast.
  3. Choose a theme that uses a black background.
  4. Restart Outlook.

This method affects all applications, not just Outlook.

Additional Tips For A Better Dark Experience

Once you have a black background, you may want to fine-tune other settings for optimal comfort.

Adjusting Font Colors

Dark backgrounds work best with light text. Change your default font color to white or light gray.

  1. Go to File > Options > Mail.
  2. Click on Stationery and Fonts.
  3. Under “Composing and reading plain text messages,” click Font.
  4. Select a light color and click OK.

Reducing Blue Light

Combine dark mode with Windows Night Light for less eye strain.

  1. Go to Settings > System > Display.
  2. Turn on Night light.
  3. Adjust the strength to your preference.

Keyboard Shortcuts For Dark Mode

Some users find it faster to toggle dark mode using shortcuts. Unfortunately, Outlook does not have a native shortcut, but you can create one using AutoHotkey or similar tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Outlook background not turning black?

This often happens if you are using an older version of Outlook. Update to the latest version or try the registry hack. Also, check if your Office theme is set to “Black” and not “Dark Gray.”

Can I make only the reading pane black?

Yes, but it requires a registry edit or third-party tool. The built-in dark mode usually affects the entire interface.

Does dark mode save battery on all screens?

Dark mode primarily saves battery on OLED and AMOLED screens. On LCD screens, the power savings are minimal.

Will changing the background affect my email formatting?

No, changing the background only affects the Outlook interface, not the emails you send or receive.

How do I revert to the default white background?

Go to File > Options > General and set the Office Theme to “Colorful” or “White.” If you used the registry hack, delete the Theme value or set it to 0.

Final Thoughts On Customizing Outlook

Learning how to make outlook background black is a simple process once you know the right steps. Whether you prefer the built-in dark mode or a registry tweak, you can achieve a comfortable, battery-friendly interface. Remember to update your font colors and consider using system-wide dark mode for consistency.

If you encounter issues, revisit the troubleshooting section or check Microsoft’s support forums. With a little patience, you can enjoy a fully black Outlook background that reduces eye strain and looks modern.

We hope this guide helped you. Share it with colleagues who might also want a darker Outlook experience.