[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #65304: Restore Fresh as default admin color scheme for existing users in WordPress 7.0.1

[WordPress Trac]

#65304: Restore Fresh as default admin color scheme for existing users in WordPress
7.0.1
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 Reporter:  thiagovelx                           |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  defect (bug)                         |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                               |  Milestone:  Awaiting
                                                 |  Review
Component:  Administration                       |    Version:  7.0
 Severity:  normal                               |   Keywords:
  Focuses:  ui, accessibility, css,              |
  administration                                 |
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 WordPress 7.0 changed the default admin color scheme from Fresh to Modern.

 I understand the intention of introducing Modern as a refreshed admin
 color scheme, and I am not asking for it to be removed. However,
 automatically applying this visual change to existing users who never
 explicitly selected a color scheme creates a noticeable visual regression.

 The new Modern palette uses a much more saturated blue for links, buttons,
 table headers and interface states. On standard wp-admin screens such as
 Dashboard widgets and Pages lists, the UI now feels visually aggressive
 compared to the previous Fresh/default appearance.

 This is especially problematic for client-managed sites and agency-
 maintained WordPress installations, where the admin experience is expected
 to remain visually stable after a routine update. Users who never opted
 into a new admin palette are suddenly presented with a significantly
 different visual language.

 Expected behavior:
 Existing users who were effectively using the previous default Fresh
 scheme should remain on Fresh after updating.

 Actual behavior:
 Existing users who never manually changed their admin color scheme are now
 seeing Modern as the default/fallback.

 Suggested fix for WordPress 7.0.1:

 * Restore Fresh as the default/fallback admin color scheme for existing
 users.
 * Keep Modern available as an option.
 * Optionally use Modern only for new installations or users who explicitly
 opt in.
 * Avoid automatically migrating existing users when WordPress cannot know
 whether they intentionally wanted the previous default appearance.

 This would preserve backward compatibility and user trust while still
 allowing WordPress to evolve its visual design.

 Related support topic:
 https://wordpress.org/support/topic/terrible-blue-font-in-wp-7-0-hurts-my-
 eyes-how-to-change/

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/65304>
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