How to make Notepad run in Dark Mode on Windows 8.1

I am using Notepad a lot on Windows 8.1. I understand that later versions of Windows allow you to make Notepad and other apps appear in 'dark mode' - where the background is black and the text is white. There does not seem to be an option to allow this on Windows 8. 

Is there a way to make a Windows program run in dark mode when it is not officially supported?

You can use the program below - it runs on Windows 8 and will make your notepad display in dark mode. I use it on some older programs which don't have a built in dark mode. Works very well. 

https://darkmodeanyapp.com/

While 'Dark mode any' seems an effective solution to your request be warned that a licence fee is required, it is not freeware.

Chris Cosgrove

There are some freeware notepad alternatives that have a dark mode.

https://www.rizonesoft.com/downloads/notepad3/

https://notepad-plus-plus.org/

https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/

1. Select Start > Settings
2. Select Personalization > Colors
3. In the list for Choose your mode, select Custom
4. In the list for Choose your default Windows mode, select Light or Dark

• Select Start > Settings
• Select Personalization > Colors
• In the list for Choose your mode, select Custom
• In the list for Choose your default Windows mode, select Light or Dark