Windows 11 brought a sleek new design with rounded corners and a centered Start Menu, but some users prefer the familiar look of Windows 10. If you’re one of them, don’t worry—there are ways to tweak Windows 11 to get that Windows 10 vibe back. This guide will show you how to make Windows 11 look more like Windows 10.
Move the Start Menu to the Left
One of the most noticeable changes in Windows 11 is the centered Start Menu. If you want to move it back to the left (like in Windows 10), follow these steps:
- Step 1: Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
- Step 2: Scroll down to the “Taskbar behaviors” section.
- Step 3: Under “Taskbar alignment”, change the setting from “Center” to “Left.”
This will shift the Start Menu and icons back to the left side of the screen, just like in Windows 10.
Bring Back the Old Start Menu Style
Windows 11’s Start Menu is simplified, but you can make it resemble the classic Windows 10 style by using third-party software. One popular tool is Start11 from Stardock, which can make the Start Menu look and function more like Windows 10.
- Step 1: Download and install Start11 (or a similar tool like Open-Shell).
- Step 2: Open the program and select the Windows 10 Start Menu style.
- Step 3: Customize the layout, icons, and theme to match the Windows 10 look.
These programs usually offer a lot of customization options, letting you control exactly how the Start Menu appears.
Restore the Old File Explorer Ribbon
Windows 11 updated the File Explorer, but if you miss the old ribbon from Windows 10, there’s a way to get it back:
- Step 1: Open File Explorer.
- Step 2: In the address bar, type
shell:::{E2B7378C-1035-410B-9C05-661703E7A78C}and press Enter.
This will open the classic File Explorer window with the familiar ribbon at the top. You can use this shortcut anytime you want to access the old-style File Explorer.
Change Icons to Match Windows 10
Windows 11 comes with a new set of icons, but you can revert to Windows 10-style icons by downloading icon packs:
- Step 1: Download a Windows 10 icon pack from the web.
- Step 2: Right-click on a desktop shortcut and select “Properties.”
- Step 3: Under the “Shortcut” tab, click “Change Icon” and browse for your downloaded icons.
- Step 4: Apply the changes.
You can do this for folders, apps, and system icons to bring back the Windows 10 visual style.
Adjust Taskbar Settings
Windows 11 changes how the taskbar works, but you can tweak it to act more like Windows 10:
- Resize the Taskbar: Windows 11 doesn’t allow resizing the taskbar natively, but using tools like ExplorerPatcher or StartAllBack can let you adjust the taskbar size.
- Show Labels: If you prefer the old Windows 10-style taskbar with text labels next to the icons, you can enable this with third-party tools like TaskbarX.
Disable Rounded Corners (Advanced)
If you don’t like the rounded corners in Windows 11, you can disable them using a custom theme or modifying system settings:
- Step 1: Use third-party apps like WindowBlinds to apply a Windows 10-style theme.
- Step 2: Explore advanced tweaks using Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor, though this is more technical and not recommended for casual users.
Switch Back to the Old Context Menus
The right-click context menus in Windows 11 are streamlined, but you can bring back the classic Windows 10 menus:
- Step 1: Open Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R, typing
regedit, and pressing Enter. - Step 2: Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID - Step 3: Right-click on CLSID, select New > Key, and name it
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}. - Step 4: Right-click on the new key, select New > Key, and name it InprocServer32.
- Step 5: Double-click the (Default) value and leave the field blank. Click OK and restart your PC.
This will bring back the old context menu in Windows 11.
With just a few tweaks, you can make Windows 11 feel more like Windows 10 while still enjoying the improvements in performance and security that come with the new OS. Whether you miss the left aligned Start Menu, the classic icons, or the File Explorer ribbon, these tips should help you get back to a more familiar interface.