Customizing Windows and adapting it to the needs of each user is possible… and very necessary. Microsoft’s operating systems are not great for their customization options and it is quite difficult to leave them to everyone’s taste.

Windows 10 was a major change in user interface and handling of features. The general system configuration tool has been redesigned (correctly from a visual and organizational point of view, not potential) and more features have been added, some moved/removed from the classic control panel.

Based on the concepts of Windows 10 and Windows 10X, the now defunct Windows 11 it was a breath of fresh air. Its interface is undoubtedly more attractive, but there are sections to complete, and the customization section is still difficult to manage 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 user interface.

How to customize Windows

This is where third-party apps come in to make life easier for “restless” users, which we wish Microsoft would offer by default. Everything is there. Kits that allow you to completely customize the entire system or those that affect specific aspects such as the main interface, Start menu, taskbar, icons or system behavior. We leave you with some of the best for the latest versions of Windows.

– ThisIsWin11 (all in one). Nicknamed as “The Real PowerToys for Windows 11”, is free, open source, and really powerful because it’s not limited to customizing visuals, but also offers settings for almost the entire system, information about what’s new and comparisons with previous versions, automation of some functions, improved privacy with telemetry management, and a bloatware restriction application . It also includes a package manager, more useful and intuitive than Microsoft’s own WinGet.

– Winaero Tweaker (all in one). One of the most well-known and comprehensive Windows customization applications is Winaero. 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 audio sections and general system behavior.

– Ultimate Windows Tweaker (all in one). Another of the most comprehensive Windows 10 tweaking tools. Offers more than 200 privacy and security settings; performance; from context menus; search and much more. It also works as a taskbar customization software and allows you to change battery layout, date and time, volume, show or hide frequent folders and recent files, and more.

– open-shell (Start menu). The Windows Start Menu is a component that has been with us since Microsoft implemented graphical interfaces in its operating systems. If the design implemented in Windows 7 satisfied all types of users, what came later was nonsense, even removing it from Windows 8. The latest versions of Windows 10 improved the situation, but if you liked Windows 7 more, Open Shell is one of the best , which you can use.

– PowerPack TweakNow (Windows behavior). Focused on customizing how Windows 10 behaves rather than how it looks, this app is one of the most comprehensive you can 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.

– Start11 (Start menu). It’s from Stardock and it’s commercial software at $5.99, but it’s one of the best to get an a la carte menu 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’s even a Windows 11 style, but it offers more features and flexibility than the built-in menu.

– Taskbar Tweaker (main panel). Definitely the best dashboard customizer. It includes some settings that Windows 10 already offers, but most of them are not accessible even by hitting the registry.

– CustomizerGod (icons). There are few better free tweaks dedicated specifically to working with system icons, a component that Microsoft has redesigned in the latest versions of Windows 10. You can change the Start menu, taskbar, battery, start screen session, time and date, and much more.