Windows 10: How to remove this dotted outline around desktop elements in Windows 11?

I've recently been using Windows 11 and noticed this dotted outline around desktop elements like Recycle Bin or Microsoft Edge which makes the desktop look very ugly and I had this problem on Windows 10 too.System Information: Device name: LAPTOP-J7AEJQSG Processor: IntelR CoreTM i3-5020U CPU @ 2.20GHz 2.20 GHz Installed RAM: 8.00 GB Device ID: 538EB569-F8CA-41A2-8A6F-7A50CC98DA6E Product ID: 00326-10000-00000-AA068 System type: 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

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How to remove this outline around UI elements in Windows 11?

In some UI element such as buttons, menu items, etc. there is a outline around it. It is annoying to me as it makes the experience ugly. Windows 11 should be a more cleaner interface instead of these super ugly outlines. I know that these outlines are present to identify the selected UI element, but it should be visible only when the TAB key is pressed. Instead they are always visible. Here are some screenshots.





This is Word. See the outline around home button. This happens in all buttons in all office 365 apps.





This is the keyboard layout switcher.





This is when I click on the send feedback button on the search and click somewhere else.

In many UI elements this outline is there. As I observed these types of outlines are present only in WinUI interfaces.

I this a bug or an incorrect setting? Please tell me how to get rid of these outlines.

 

How to remove this outline around UI elements in Windows 11?

Hello.

I have exactly the same problem as the user from this thread. How to remove this outline around UI elements in Windows 11?

A white border appears around the interface elements, as if I pressed the TAB button. But I don’t press it, the frame is present immediately after opening the application or interface element. If you click on another interface element, the frame disappears.











The problem was observed immediately after buying a laptop with Windows 11 installed. I also updated the system and reinstalled on a blank disk. But the problem doesn't go away.

I did all the recommendations that the Moderator wrote in that thread, but it did not help.

What is the problem? This white border is annoying and ruins the user experience.

 

How to remove this outline around UI elements in Windows 11?

Hi Anjana Wijesiri,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

I tested many times on Windows 11 and the result shows that the outline will only present when I press the Tab key like what you said. To troubleshoot the cause, let's try the following methods.

1. Scan and repair corrupted system files if there are any.
   
   Search: powershell by Windows Search and open Windows PowerShell (Administrator), then execute the following commands respectively in sequence:
   
   sfc /SCANNOW
   Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
   Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
   
   Allow the process to finish and see if it solves any issues. Restart the device afterward.
   
2. Redeploy all built-in apps on Windows 11.
   
   • Open PowerShell as Administrator and copy-paste the following command:
     
   Get-AppxPackage -allusers | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register "$($_.InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode}
   
   • This will reinstall and re-register all the built-in apps.
     
   • Restart your system.
     

I hope this helps, and feel free to reach back if the problem is still there.

Best regards

| Lynn Sun Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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