A developer released an updated "UPD" patcher in Q4 2024. Here is how to use it safely:
Since you specifically searched for "UPD," you have likely run into issues after updating FileZilla. Here are the top 3 problems solved:
Problem 1: "The dark theme disappeared after updating to v3.68"
Problem 2: "The text is dark grey on black (unreadable)"
Problem 3: "FileZilla crashes when I select Dark theme in Settings"
If you want a custom dark theme beyond the default:
| Method | Dark Depth | Survives Update? | Performance Hit | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Native OS Theme | 40% (Menus only) | Yes | None | | Debug > Experimental | 80% | No (Resets often) | Low | | Resource Hacker Hack | 95% | No (Must re-patch) | None | | ZillaDarkWrapper | 99% | Yes | Medium |
Our Recommendation: Casual users should wait for FileZilla 4.0. Power users should invest 15 minutes in the Resource Hacker method and keep a patched .exe on their desktop for re-application after every official update (UPD).
Bookmark this page – we will update it the moment FileZilla 4.0 releases with native dark mode. Until then, may your FTP sessions be dark and your error logs be few.
Have you found a better dark theme workaround for the latest FileZilla update? Let us know in the comments below.
As of early 2026, FileZilla does not have a native "Dark Mode" toggle in its settings. Instead, the application relies on the underlying wxWidgets library to inherit the color scheme of your operating system. Current Status & Roadmap filezilla dark theme upd
Version 3.70.0 (April 2026): The latest version history does not list a dedicated internal dark mode toggle as a new feature.
Roadmap: Development is currently focused on the 3.3.x and 3.4.x branches. Major internal GUI changes, potentially including improved dark mode handling, are projected for Version 3.4.0 later in 2026.
Technical Barrier: Developers have stated that FileZilla's cross-platform library (wxWidgets) historically lacked native support for Windows' modern dark mode API without breaking compatibility for other operating systems. Recent versions of wxWidgets (3.3+) have introduced better support, which may lead to future native updates. How to Enable Dark Theme Now
You can achieve a dark look by changing your system-wide settings, which FileZilla will attempt to follow: Windows 10/11:
Standard Method: Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and choose Dark. While this affects many apps, FileZilla sometimes requires the more aggressive Contrast Themes (found under Accessibility) to fully invert its classic Win32-style window colors. macOS:
Enable system-wide Dark Mode in System Settings > Appearance. Recent versions of FileZilla on macOS follow this setting automatically. Linux:
The client typically follows the system’s GTK theme. Users on distributions like openSUSE or Ubuntu can switch their system appearance to "Dark" in the settings tray to update FileZilla's UI. Alternative Customization FEEDBACK: Dark Mode please - FileZilla Forums
As of 2026, FileZilla does not have a native, built-in "Dark Mode" setting due to its reliance on the cross-platform GUI library
, which has historically lacked stable dark mode support for Windows. FileZilla Forums Current Status of Dark Mode in FileZilla Official Stance:
Developers have stated that a proper dark mode will only be available once the stable branch of supports it and FileZilla is recompiled with that version. Accessibility Workaround: In recent updates, developers suggest using Windows Contrast Themes A developer released an updated "UPD" patcher in Q4 2024
(Settings -> Accessibility -> Contrast Themes) to force a dark appearance, though users report this often "mucks up" the look of other applications. User Feedback:
The lack of a native toggle remains a significant point of frustration in the FileZilla Forums , with some users switching to alternatives like which offer native dark themes. FileZilla Forums Partial Solutions and Workarounds
While waiting for an official update, you can try these community-suggested methods: Icon Themes: You can change the toolbar icons to a darker set (e.g., Papirus Dark Icons
), but this only affects the icons, not the window background or panels. Linux/macOS Support: On Linux, FileZilla may respect global GTK dark themes (like Arc Dark), though some UI elements like the
may still have visibility issues with black text on dark backgrounds. Third-Party Patchers: Some users utilize tools like UltraUX Theme Patcher
to force 3rd-party Windows themes, which can affect FileZilla, though this is considered an advanced and potentially unstable method. Recommended Alternatives with Native Dark Mode
If a dark interface is essential for your workflow, consider these highly-rated FTP clients that support it natively:
Frequently recommended as the top alternative for Windows users; it features a robust dark mode and can import your FileZilla sites.
A popular cross-platform client for macOS and Windows that supports system-wide dark mode. FileZilla Forums into a different FTP client? Dark Theme Does Not theme Filezilla in Win 10... Need Help
FileZilla doesn't have a single "Dark Mode" toggle in its settings, which can be frustrating since it's a classic Win32 application that doesn't always automatically follow modern Windows personalization settings. Problem 2: "The text is dark grey on black (unreadable)"
Here is an interesting guide to getting that sleek dark look, depending on how much you want to "hack" your system. 1. The "Official" Way (Global System Settings)
FileZilla relies on the system colors provided by your operating system. To change FileZilla's background, you have to change your entire Windows theme to a high-contrast dark version. Go to: Settings > Accessibility > Contrast Themes. Select: A dark theme like "Aquatic" or "Dusk."
Result: FileZilla will instantly turn dark, but keep in mind this affects all your programs, including File Explorer and Word. 2. The "Semi-Official" Way (MacOS & Linux)
If you're on a Mac or a Linux machine, you have it much easier.
MacOS: FileZilla Pro and newer client versions automatically follow your macOS system-wide dark mode.
Linux: Change your GTK theme to something like Arc Dark. FileZilla is built on wxWidgets, which pulls directly from your GTK settings on Linux. 3. The "Visual Only" Hack (Custom Icons)
If you can't stand the high-contrast Windows theme, you can at least update FileZilla's icons to look better against a dark background.
Download: Modern icon sets like Papirus FileZilla Themes from GitHub. Install:
Extract the icons to FileZilla’s resources folder (usually in Program Files\FileZilla FTP Client\resources).
Open FileZilla and go to Edit > Settings > Interface > Themes. Select your new, darker icon set. 4. The "I'm Done With This" Alternative
Many long-time users have switched to WinSCP because it offers a native, built-in dark mode toggle that doesn't require messing with Windows settings. It can even automatically import all your FileZilla bookmarks and passwords during installation. PapirusDevelopmentTeam/papirus-filezilla-themes - GitHub