Perk-Up Your Programming Game: Enabling Dark Mode in Microsoft Visual Studio

As a developer, you spend an awful lot of time staring at your screen. And we know that can be particularly tedious on the eyes. So, allow us to introduce you to dark mode. This is a trendy color scheme that replaces the bright whites and pastel colors of traditional computer interfaces with darker tones that are easier on the eyes. In this tutorial, we’ll illustrate the steps to activate dark mode in Microsoft Visual Studio – the formidable integrated development environment (IDE) used by programmers worldwide.

The Pros of Dark Mode in Visual Studio

Before we proceed with the steps for enabling dark mode in Visual Studio, let’s first explain why you might want to. Here are some advantages to using this mode in the IDE:

• Reduced Eye Strain: The low-contrast, bright colors of traditional computer interfaces can cause eye strain, headaches, and other discomforts. By decreasing the glare of bright light, dark mode reduces the risk of eye fatigue.
• Increased Focus: With a darker interface, there are fewer distractions on the screen, allowing you to concentrate more easily on the code you’re working on.
• Improved Aesthetics: Many developers prefer the sleek look of dark-mode interfaces over the standard white design that is often used in programming software.

Now that we have established the benefits of dark mode in Visual Studio, here are the steps to follow:

Activating Dark Mode in Visual Studio

There are multiple ways to activate dark mode in Visual Studio, depending on the version of the software you are running. Here, we will go through the steps to enable dark mode in two of the most widely used versions.

Method 1: Visual Studio 2019

1. First, open the Visual Studio software and wait for it to load.
2. Next, click on the “Tools” drop-down on the top left of the screen, and then click on “Options.”
3. In the left-hand menu, look for the “Environment” category and click on the arrow next to it.
4. Choose “General.”
5. Select the “Dark” option in the “Color Theme” drop-down.
6. Finally, click “OK” to save your changes and close the “Options” dialog box. Congratulations! You’ve successfully enabled dark mode in Visual Studio 2019!

Method 2: Visual Studio Code

1. Begin by opening Visual Studio Code.
2. Navigate to the gear icon at the bottom left of the sidebar.
3. In the Settings editor that opens, search for “workbench.colorTheme” or browse to Preferences: Color Theme.
4. In the drop-down menu that appears, choose “Dark (Visual Studio).”
5. Click on the “Save” button at the top of the editor window to save your changes.

And there you have it! You have successfully switched to dark mode in Visual Studio Code.

Wrapping Up

Dark mode is a fantastic way to decrease eye strain and enhance your focus while programming in Visual Studio. By following the steps above, you can effortlessly switch to a darker interface on this popular IDE. Experiment with various versions of dark mode and select the one that suits you best.