As a performance developer who primarily works on Windows, utilizing the Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA) is an essential part of the job. WPA is a powerful tool for identifying performance issues, but its user interface has remained largely unchanged for over a decade, giving it a dated look reminiscent of the Vista/Win7 era.
In 2021, the author experienced a personal challenge that highlighted the need for a dark mode in WPA. After coming down with shingles in one eye, the light UI of WPA became too bright and uncomfortable to use. The high contrast mode was not a viable alternative, as it provided a terrible user experience.
The author decided to take on the task of adding a dark mode to WPA. Fortunately, the WPA owners at Microsoft were open to contributions from outside developers. What started as a short side project evolved into a more substantial undertaking, addressing not only the dark mode but also other UI issues that had been bothersome for years.
The updates to WPA include:
The addition of a dark mode to Windows Performance Analyzer significantly enhances the user experience, especially for those who prefer or require a darker interface. This update, along with other UI improvements, brings WPA more in line with modern application standards, making it more comfortable and efficient to use for performance developers.
For more information on Windows Performance Analyzer and its capabilities, visit the official Microsoft documentation. If you're interested in other projects by the author, check out I Killed The Windows Desktop Cleanup Wizard or Smart Rename.
