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How to fix Windows 11 File Explorer flashing in dark mode

Tired of Windows 11 throwing a stun grenade at you every time you open File Explorer? Here is a simple fix.
File Explorer logo with a flashing effect behind it

There are a lot of bad words one can rightfully say about Windows 11's underwhelming dark mode. Even though Microsoft is finally doing some work to improve it, there is one thing that drives me and thousands of Windows 11 users absolutely crazy: Every time you open a new File Explorer tab, the damn thing throws a stun grenade at you by flashing a white screen for a split second.

Flasing in Windows 11s File Explorer slowed down
GIF is slowed down and dimmed for demonstration

Windows 11 is turning four in a couple of months, but Microsoft still has not fixed this annoying and, for some people, legitimately life-threatening bug (there is a reason why we have seizure warnings in games, movies, etc). As such, users have to take things into their hands and come up with custom solutions. One such solution is a simple Windhawk mod that fixes what a nearly four-trillion-dollar company still won't figure out.

For those unfamiliar, Windhawk is a repository of various Windows mods that can fix and enhance the operating system. One useful mod that we recently covered lets you have some extra information in the tray area, such as RAM/CPU/network usage, weather, etc. Fixing File Explorer flashes in Windows 11 requires a separate mod with a clever name, "Fix white flashes in explorer." Here is how to get it.

Fix Windows 11 File Explorer flashes

  1. Go to the official Windhawk website and download its client. Install the app.
  2. Launch Windhawk and go to the Explore tab.
  3. Type "Fix white flashes in explorer" in the search box or use this link. Click "Details."
    How to fix Windows 11 File Explorer flashes using windhawk
  4. Click "Install." You can also peek under the mod's hood and see what it does by clicking the "Source code" tab.
    How to fix Windows 11 File Explorer flashes using windhawk
  5. And that is it. No more stun grenades when working in File Explorer in dark mode. Here is the result:
File Explore in Windows 11 without flashing when creating new tabs
Fixed at long last!

Now, can somebody tell Microsoft how to implement this on the system level?

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