Dark Theme

06 Jun 2022 38035 views 0 minutes to read Contributors

Purpose

Guide to enable dark-theme in SQL Server Management Studio(SSMS).  

References

www.sqlserver.info  

Contents

  Before you start Requirements how to enable dark theme  

Before you start

The dark-theme is not officially supported by Microsoft, however, the code is already present. This option is only available in SSMS version 2016 or higher, any version below that does not support this option. Since the option is not officially supported changes to the configuration file need to be made manually.  

Requirements

  SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) needs to be closed during the process. SSMS version 2016/2017. Notepad ++ (or any other text editor) Administrator privilege Access to the following path for SSMS 2016 C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio   Access to the following path for SSMS 2017   C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio  

How to enable dark-theme 

• Close SSMS
• Open notepad ++ (or any other text editor)
• Navigate to file path that corresponds with your version
• Open file  [ssms.pkgundef]
• 
• CTRL+F to find  "// Remove Dark" 
• Add 2 slashes (//) in front of this key that starts with [$RootKey$\Themes\
• 
• Save and close the file
• Run SSMS
• Navigate to tools --> options --> General
• At visual experience select color theme: --> "Dark"
•