> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/thedogecraft/sparkle/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Appearance tweaks

> Tweaks that customize the Windows taskbar, clock, context menu, and other visual elements.

Appearance tweaks adjust the visual presentation and UI behavior of Windows — including taskbar layout, clock format, theme, and context menu style. All of these tweaks are safe to apply and can be reverted by changing the relevant setting manually.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Set 24-Hour Clock">
    Changes the clock to display time in 24-hour format.

    Updates the user's regional time settings in the registry to switch the taskbar clock, apps, and system timestamps to a true 24-hour format.

    |                |      |
    | -------------- | ---- |
    | **Risk**       | safe |
    | **Reversible** | —    |

    <Note>
      If the taskbar clock does not update immediately after applying this tweak, restart Explorer from within Sparkle Settings.
    </Note>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Align Taskbar Left">
    Aligns the taskbar icons to the left side of the screen.

    Sets the `TaskbarAl` registry value to `0`, moving the taskbar Start button and icons back to the left-aligned position used in Windows 10 and earlier.

    |                |      |
    | -------------- | ---- |
    | **Risk**       | safe |
    | **Reversible** | —    |
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Enable Dark Mode">
    Enables dark mode for Windows system UI and apps.

    Sets system and app theme registry values to `0` and restarts Explorer to apply the change. This also works on unactivated Windows installations where the personalization settings panel is normally locked.

    |                |      |
    | -------------- | ---- |
    | **Risk**       | safe |
    | **Reversible** | —    |

    <Tip>
      This is particularly useful on unactivated systems where dark mode cannot be set through the Settings app.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Hide Taskview and Widgets">
    Hides the Task View and Widgets buttons from the taskbar.

    Disables both the Task View button and the Widgets panel by updating Explorer taskbar registry settings, removing both icons from the taskbar.

    |                |      |
    | -------------- | ---- |
    | **Risk**       | safe |
    | **Reversible** | —    |

    <Warning>
      This tweak removes the Windows Widgets feature entirely. To restore it, run `winget install 9MSSGKG348SP` or search for **Windows Web Experience Pack** in the Microsoft Store.
    </Warning>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Show Seconds in Taskbar Clock">
    Enables the seconds display in the taskbar clock.

    Sets the `ShowSecondsInSystemClock` registry key to display seconds alongside the hours and minutes in the Windows taskbar clock.

    |                      |                        |
    | -------------------- | ---------------------- |
    | **Risk**             | safe                   |
    | **Reversible**       | Yes                    |
    | **Restart required** | Yes (Explorer restart) |
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Revert Context Menu">
    Reverts the right-click context menu to the classic Windows 10 style.

    Creates a blank `InprocServer32` key under a specific CLSID to disable the modern condensed right-click context menu in Windows 11, restoring the full classic context menu and improving responsiveness in File Explorer.

    |                 |      |
    | --------------- | ---- |
    | **Risk**        | safe |
    | **Reversible**  | —    |
    | **Recommended** | Yes  |

    <Tip>
      The classic context menu displays all options immediately without requiring you to click "Show more options", which makes common file operations faster.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Menu Show Delay Zero">
    Removes the delay when opening menus.

    Reduces the `MenuShowDelay` registry value to `0ms`, eliminating the brief pause before context menus and submenus appear on hover or click.

    |                |      |
    | -------------- | ---- |
    | **Risk**       | safe |
    | **Reversible** | —    |

    <Note>
      This tweak is also categorized under Performance, as it contributes to a more responsive UI feel.
    </Note>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>