Windows 11 isn’t great at customization (and neither is Windows 10), and you’d certainly like to be able to customize some of its components. If in-house tools don’t allow it, third-party developers are a big help to make the system your way.

Windows 11’s user interface is more attractive than Windows 10, but not everyone likes it, and it’s not as efficient in many areas as it seems at first glance. There are sections to complete and managing the customization section is still complicated for more advanced tasks, when we want to significantly change its appearance, the behavior of its components, or access advanced functions that are not directly accessible in the interface. But there are solutions.

How to customize Windows 11

There is everything and for everyone, especially for those more sedentary users who like to customize the appearance and behavior of their operating system. The apps available range from complete suites that let you touch absolutely everything, to those that affect specific aspects such as the main interface, the Start menu, the taskbar, icons or the behavior of the system itself. We’ll let you choose the ones we like the most, without reminding you that it’s highly recommended to create restore points earlier in case something goes wrong and you want to go back to the previous version of the system.

ThisIsWin11

Free, open source and really powerful all-in-one, because it is not limited to customization of visual elements, but offers modifications of almost the entire system, information about news and comparisons with previous versions, automation of some functions, improved privacy through telemetry management and applications to reduce bloatware. It also includes a package manager, more useful and intuitive than Microsoft’s own WinGet. Its developer announced that he will not update the version at this time, but it continues to work perfectly with the free download from GitHub.

start 11

One of the best appetizers a la carte with four different styles. Windows 7 and Modern offer a traditional two-column display with all applications or favorites on the left and shortcuts to various functions and locations on the right. The latter in Windows 10 uses the familiar combination of menu and tiles. There is also a Windows 11 style, but with more features and flexibility than the official one. It’s commercial software from Stardock and costs $5.99, but it’s best for use in alternative Start menus. It has a trial version.

rounded TB

If customizing the Windows 11 taskbar with its native settings isn’t enough, it’s time to look at an external solution, and this is one of the best because you can round the corners of the taskbar, divide it into segments, and add borders. Another cool feature is that the taskbar acts as a floating dock. It’s available in the Microsoft Store and is free.

winaero tweaker

Another of the most well-known and comprehensive Windows customization applications. Its developer has combined most of the available options in an all-in-one tool and a single interface. It has a huge number of functions for different visual aspects; colors; the size of window borders, subtitles and menus, as well as the sound section and general system behavior. Available for free on their website.

File App

Microsoft has updated System File Explorer, but if you still don’t like it, there are third-party alternatives to replace it with. The one we offer you is a powerful UWP file manager that includes tabs for multitasking, bookmarks, column layout, dual panel layout, cloud drive detection, file previews, custom themes and much more. In addition, it works with a touch screen or a mouse and keyboard. It’s more intuitive than the system defaults and can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Store.

live wallpaper

If you like to change your desktop wallpaper regularly, the one we’ve chosen allows you to easily change it and goes even further as you can set GIFs, videos and web pages as backgrounds. After adding a background, you can adjust the brightness, speed, zoom, overlay color and more. Free in the Microsoft Store. And if you want something more complete, check out this special on very, very cool dark themes.

BeWidgets

Microsoft has included Widgets as part of Windows 11, but that doesn’t compare to what this program offers, with which you can place customizable and personalized widgets on your desktop. You can add different types of information such as local weather, time, events or app shortcuts. You can also hide official widgets from view. Available for free from the Microsoft Store.

Ultimate Windows Tweaker

Another of the most comprehensive Windows 10 customization tools. Offers more than 200 privacy and security settings; performance; contextual menus; search and much more. It also works as a taskbar personalization software, allowing you to change battery layout, date and time, volume, show or hide frequent folders and recent files, and more. Free download.

PowerPack TweakNow

Focused on customizing the way Windows 10 behaves rather than how it looks, this app is one of the most complete you’ll find. It offers access to more than 100 hidden Windows settings, a registry cleaner, a RAM optimizer, profiles for virtual desktops, a redesigned startup manager or the ability to allocate CPU resources for demanding applications. It is commercial software priced at $8.99.

Classic Windows 11 context menu

Windows 11 context menu is quite annoying. When you right-click an item, the context menu you were used to in earlier versions of Windows no longer appears. Instead, a new menu will appear with rounded corners and fewer options. It’s customizable, but if you want an app to do it for you, here’s one that returns a classic context menu.

Taskbar Tweaker

Another good taskbar customization app. It includes quite a few settings, many of which are not accessible even when working in the registry.

All of the above is a selection of dozens of third-party apps available for customizing Windows 11. Create restore and test points in advance to leave the system as you like and need it.