WinSCP looks weird in Windows Dark Mode.

In the latest update, when Windows is set to dark mode, Win SCP also switches to a dark mode, which is nice, but it doesn't seem to be fully implemented yet. Selected folders for example appear black on dark grey. Separators and tabs are still white. Please see attached screenshot.

Thanks for your post.

I believe that current Windows dark theme API does not allow dark tabs yet.

As for the selected folders: It works for me. Maybe you have some unusual Windows theme selected? What is your settings in Windows Settings > Personalisation?

Yes, I can confirm that, it looks the same to me.

The Chrome Browser can handle it now, so I think it should be possible.

@FreeFun: But Chrome does not use Windows UI API at all. It's imo completely custom drawn.

Okay, it was just an example. But it would still be nice if WinSCP would support the dark styles better.

@FreeFun: To be honest, I've never wanted to implement the dark mode. That's something that imo an operating system should do. Not individual applications. Because when individual applications do implement it, without (complete) support from the operating system, you end up with problems like this. Edit: As of December 2020, Windows API still do not have documented support for the dark mode.

But people asked so much, despite my concerns, for WinSCP to implement at least PARTIAL support for the dark mode, that I yielded. Those people are now happy. But I'm getting an (expected) backlash from others, who complain, that if WinSCP does support the dark mode, it has support it perfectly. What was never my goal, as I knew that Windows are not ready for the perfect support of the dark mode.

Tracked here:
Bug 1776 – Dark theme for column headers
Bug 1806 – Dark theme for session tabs

I like the dark theme, I'm grateful that WinSCP offers it at all. It works fine for me except as previously noted, that in Explorer mode, in the file tree panel, selected folders are drawn with black text on black background.

@MKairys: Thanks for your feedback.

This issue has been added to the tracker:
Bug 1810 – Name of the selected directory in tree is dark on dark background in dark mode

I'm sending you an email with a development version of WinSCP to the address you have used to register on this forum.

Basically the excuse that Windows should be responsible for dark mode in its entirety is the author just being lazy. Chrome and so many other apps do it.

@jonesd: Chrome paints its window completely on its own. It does not use any standard Windows controls.

Go ahead and implement full dark mode for WinSCP on your own if you believe it's that easy! It's open source!

@jonesd: What a ridiculous statement coming from a freeloader.

Hi,

Recently Notepad++ has been updated to support Dark Mode (including the title bar and tabs), which made me wonder if perhaps the necessary Windows APIs are now available?

@fijam: Sorry for my late answer. WinSCP has dark title bar. And Notepad++'s tabs seem to be custom drawn. They do not look anything like the standard Windows tabs.