Twinkle Tray on Windows 11
Windows 11 keeps brightness in Quick Settings and offers nothing for external monitors. Twinkle Tray adds the missing sliders and fits the Windows 11 tray visually.
Finding the icon on Windows 11
Windows 11 hides most tray icons behind the chevron next to the clock. Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Other system tray icons and switch the Twinkle Tray entry on so its slider is always one click away.
Working alongside Quick Settings
The built-in Windows 11 slider still controls a laptop's internal panel. Twinkle Tray covers the same panel plus every external display, which is why desktop users end up ignoring Quick Settings entirely. Background: brightness control on Windows 11.
Windows 11 specifics worth checking
If a slider is missing or does nothing, follow fix brightness control on Windows 11.
- Turn off content adaptive brightness control if levels change on their own.
- HDR mode changes how brightness behaves; SDR content brightness is a separate setting.
- On docked laptops, confirm the dock passes the monitor control channel through.
- Keep the graphics driver current, since display enumeration depends on it.
Getting it
Download it from our Twinkle Tray download page, or see the other brightness control app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Twinkle Tray work on Windows 11 24H2 and later?
The project targets current Windows 11 releases. Check the official site for the supported build list before installing.
Why is the tray icon hidden?
Windows 11 collapses tray icons by default. Enable the icon under Taskbar settings so it is permanently visible.
Will it control brightness on a Windows 11 tablet?
Internal panels are handled the same way as on a laptop. External displays still depend on DDC/CI support over the connection you use.