Windows 11 is introducing a new way to manage the keyboard backlight directly from the Settings app. Traditionally, adjusting the backlight on a keyboard required the use of hardware shortcuts, such as pressing function keys. While this method works, it can be inconsistent across different devices and manufacturers. This guide will walk you through how the feature works, where it can be found.
Takeaways:
- This keyboard backlight change removes the dependency on the physical shortcuts built into your device.
- Instead of remembering which function key increases or decreases brightness, you will be able to manage everything from a consistent interface in Settings.
Table of Contents
Accessing the Keyboard Backlight Settings on Windows 11
At the moment, the keyboard backlight feature is still in testing and is available only in preview builds through the Windows Insider Program. If you are part of this program, you may already see the option on your device depending on the build you are running. For general users, the update will likely roll out in a future cumulative or feature update once testing has been completed.
The new settings will be located within the Bluetooth and Devices category in the Windows 11 Settings app. When you open Settings, go to Bluetooth and Devices, then select Keyboard. On this page, you will find an entry called Keyboard backlight. This option will let you adjust the brightness or turn the light on and off directly from within Windows.
Isn't this just Dynamic Lighting?
Windows 11 already offers a feature called Dynamic Lighting, which is designed for controlling RGB lighting effects across different devices. Dynamic Lighting is useful if you own hardware that supports customizable lighting patterns or colours. But, the new Keyboard backlight option is not intended to replace Dynamic Lighting. Instead, it is a simpler control designed for standard white or single colour backlighting that helps you see your keys in low light conditions.
Dynamic Lighting is primarily linked to all the fancy gaming RGB stuff and not the practical core features like keyboard backlighting.
Other Keyboard Options
Alongside the backlight control, the new Keyboard page in Settings will also include other input settings. Microsoft is adding options to configure repeat delay and repeat rate, which define how quickly characters repeat when you hold down a key. These controls have been part of Windows for a long time, but moving them into this updated section will make them easier to find and manage.
Other Settings Updates in Development
The keyboard backlight feature is part of a larger effort to modernise the Settings app in Windows 11. Microsoft is also working on updates to the Touchpad settings page. This upcoming change will introduce options for adjusting click pressure, haptic feedback strength, and signal intensity, giving users more flexibility over how their touchpad behaves.
Privacy and security settings are also being reorganised. Microsoft is regrouping options, refining categories, and adding a new Background AI tasks page that will make it easier to see and control artificial intelligence processes running in the background. Just don't expect Microsoft to give you any more user privacy. They are just making it easier for them to collect your data legally.
