Reclaiming Familiarity: Making Windows 11 Feel Like Windows 10

Windows 11 represents a significant departure from its predecessor, Windows 10, particularly in its user interface (UI). While offering compelling upgrades, its emphasis on a curated experience and reduced customization has left some users longing for the familiar comfort of Windows 10. Microsoft’s apparent intent to dictate the Windows look is evident, making extensive personalization challenging. With Windows 10’s end of life approaching in October 2025, the inevitable upgrade looms, prompting the question: can Windows 11 be molded to resemble its beloved predecessor?

While a complete reversion to the Windows 10 aesthetic isn’t currently feasible and may never be, several key adjustments can significantly enhance user comfort. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of modifications to bring back elements of the Windows 10 experience within Windows 11.

Relocating the Start Menu

The most prominent change in Windows 11 is the centered Start menu. Fortunately, restoring it to the left corner is straightforward.

1. Open the Windows Start menu and navigate to the Settings app.
2. In Settings, select Personalization, then Taskbar.
3. Open Taskbar behaviors.
4. Locate the Taskbar alignment field with a drop-down menu.
5. Change the setting from Center to Left.

The Start menu will instantly relocate to its familiar position.

Cleaning Up the Taskbar

Windows 11 introduces new icons on the taskbar, including Search, Task View, Widgets, and Chat. These can be easily disabled.

1. Navigate to the Taskbar section within the Personalization settings (as described above).
2. Under Taskbar items, toggle off the switches next to Search, Task view, Widgets, and Chat.

It’s important to note that disabling the Search icon removes the direct access field on the taskbar. However, search functionality remains accessible via the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.

Reviving the Start Menu

Unfortunately, Microsoft provides limited customization options for the Start menu itself. To truly replicate the Windows 10 Start menu, third-party programs are required.

Open-Shell (Classic Shell)

Open-Shell, a free and open-source program, is a popular choice for replacing the Start menu.

1. Download and install Open-Shell.
2. During installation, disable Classic Explorer and Classic IE. Failure to do so will modify Windows Explorer in an undesirable way.
3. Open Open-Shell Menu Settings.
4. Select the Windows 7 style menu.
5. Open the Skin tab and choose a skin. The Fluent-Metro skin closely resembles the Windows 10 design.

While Open-Shell provides a functional replacement, it doesn’t perfectly replicate the Windows 10 Start menu and lacks certain features.

Start11

Start11, a paid alternative from Stardock, offers a more seamless experience.

1. Purchase and install Start11.
2. Configure the settings to your preference.

Start11 avoids the Start menu icon issues present in Open-Shell and provides an attractive Metro-style menu. It is user-friendly and avoids the need for installing seperate files. For a small fee, Start11 can bring back the ease of use for the Windows 10 Start Menu.

StartAllBack

StartAllBack is another alternative that costs a small fee of around $5, and is another option for restoring the start menu of Windows 10. This and Start11 are the best option to bring back the look and feel of the Windows 10 Start Menu to Windows 11.

Enhancing the Taskbar with Explorer Patcher

Explorer Patcher is a powerful (and free) tool for customizing the Windows 11 taskbar and restoring older features.

1. Download and install Explorer Patcher.
2. Navigate to the Taskbar section within Explorer Patcher’s settings.
3. Set the Taskbar Style to Windows 10.
4. Explore the numerous customization options available to fine-tune the taskbar to your liking.

Explorer Patcher offers a wealth of options for improving your Windows 11 workflow and can address many of the perceived "woes" associated with the new taskbar. You can even restore the Windows 7-style analog clock if desired.

Reimagining Icons

While Windows 11 taskbar icons are similar to Windows 10, other icons throughout the operating system have undergone significant changes.

Changing Desktop Icons

1. Open the Settings app, select Personalization, then Themes.
2. Open Desktop Icons.
3. Select an icon you want to change and click Change icon.
4. Navigate to the folder containing your Windows 10 icon pack, select the desired icon, and click Open.

Modifying Folder and Shortcut Icons

1. Right-click on a folder or shortcut and select Properties.
2. Navigate to the Customize tab.
3. Click the Change Icon button.
4. Select an icon from your Windows 10 icon pack.

Changing Drive Icons

Windows 11 restricts changing some icons, particularly those for drives and user folders. However, Drive Icon Changer can be used to modify drive icons.

1. Download and install Drive Icon Changer.
2. Follow the program’s instructions to change your drive icons.

Addressing Rounded Corners

Windows 11’s rounded corners are a defining characteristic, but not universally appreciated. Unfortunately, directly changing them through Windows 11 settings or third-party solutions isn’t currently possible.

A workaround involves disabling hardware graphics acceleration.

1. Open Settings, go to System, then Display.
2. Click on Graphics.
3. Click Change default graphics settings
4. Turn Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling off.

However, this approach also disables other visual features like transparency.

Another option, albeit one not recommended, is disabling your graphics hardware.

1. Open Device Manager, expand Display Adapters, and right-click the listed display adapter.
2. Select Disable Device.

Disabling your graphics hardware can cause performance issues and prevent the use of 3D apps or games.

Restoring the Windows 10 Wallpaper

1. Download the Windows 10 wallpaper from a reliable source.
2. Right-click the downloaded image and select Set as desktop background.

Conclusion

While a complete transformation of Windows 11 into Windows 10 is unattainable, these modifications can significantly bridge the gap and provide a more familiar and comfortable user experience. By relocating the Start menu, decluttering the taskbar, reimplementing the start menu of Windows 10 through Start11 or StartAllBack, customizing icons, and addressing other aesthetic elements, users can reclaim a sense of control and personalize Windows 11 to better suit their preferences. Despite Microsoft’s apparent desire to curate the Windows experience, these tweaks empower users to shape their operating system and enjoy the best of both worlds: the underlying improvements of Windows 11 with the familiar comfort of Windows 10.