A Windows screen-filter setup that accounts for hardware limits.

Know when Windows Night light is enough

Microsoft documents Night light under Settings → System → Display, with a strength slider and either set hours or sunset-to-sunrise scheduling. If you only want those controls, the built-in setting avoids installing another app. Microsoft source

Gloam adds six named software settings from 1900K–6500K, paired brightness values, manual schedule times on Windows, per-app profiles, break prompts, and local activity statistics. Turn Night light off while evaluating Gloam so color changes are attributable to one system.

Install the portable build correctly

1. Download the pinned Gloam-Windows.zip from jtrlabs.com.
2. Verify its SHA-256 with Get-FileHash if you want to confirm file integrity.
3. Right-click the archive and choose Extract All. Put the extracted folder somewhere permanent. Microsoft ZIP instructions
4. Run Gloam.exe. Look for Gloam in the taskbar notification area or overflow menu.

The published build is self-contained and does not need a separate .NET installation. It stores settings in %APPDATA%\Gloam\state.json, not next to the EXE.

Start with task-appropriate warmth

• Natural, 6500K: neutral output for daylight and color-sensitive work.
• Focus, 5000K: a gentle late-afternoon shift.
• Cinema, 4000K: moderate warmth without preset dimming.
• Dusk, 3400K: a practical early-evening default.
• Evening, 2700K: a strong warm shift for dim rooms.
• Sleep, 1900K: an extreme amber setting for brief late-night use.

Temperature numbers describe the intended correlated color-temperature target, not a hardware measurement of every monitor. Panel calibration, driver behavior, and existing display profiles change the final appearance.

Set the Windows schedule

Gloam 1.0.3 on Windows uses sunrise and sunset times entered by the user; it does not use Windows geolocation. Open Schedule, enable automatic scheduling, and set local times that match your routine. Revisit them as seasons change.

1. Set sunrise to the time you want the screen returning toward neutral.
2. Set sunset to the beginning of your warm transition.
3. Test with nearby times before relying on the schedule.
4. If you work overnight, use fixed times that match your sleep schedule rather than literal outdoor sunrise.

HDR: the most common “nothing happens” cause

Gloam uses the Windows GDI SetDeviceGammaRamp path on each monitor. With HDR enabled, Windows or the graphics driver can ignore standard gamma ramps. If one display does not change:

1. Open Settings → System → Display.
2. Select the affected monitor at the top.
3. Open HDR and turn Use HDR off.
4. Return to Gloam and switch from Natural to Evening to make the test obvious.

Multi-monitor and driver troubleshooting

Launch at login without breaking the path

The Windows toggle writes a current-user startup entry pointing to the exact Gloam.exe location. It does not require administrator access. Choose the EXE’s permanent folder first, run it there, and then enable Launch at login. If you move or rename the file, disable and re-enable the toggle from the new location.

Per-app profiles on Windows

Windows profiles identify apps by executable filename, such as chrome.exe or code.exe. Use Natural for image editors and color review, a warmer preset for writing or reading, and no profile where you want the current baseline. If two unrelated programs share a filename, the profile cannot distinguish them.

Do not confuse warmth with complete eye care

AAO EyeWiki discusses glare, sustained near focus, blinking, dry-eye factors, refractive issues, and workstation setup in relation to digital eye-strain symptoms. A color-temperature setting addresses only part of that context. AAO EyeWiki Match display brightness to the room and take actual distance breaks. See the digital eye-care guide.