Tech

How to customize Windows 11 with third-party apps

Windows 11 does not stand out for its customization capacity (and neither does Windows 10) and you would surely like to be able to modify some of its components. If the internal tools do not allow it, third-party developers are of great help to leave the system to your liking.

The user interface of Windows 11 is more attractive than that of Windows 10, but not everyone likes it, nor is it as efficient in many areas as it was at first glance. There are sections to finish and the customization section is still complicated to manage for more advanced tasks, when we want to substantially change its appearance, the behavior of its components or gain access to 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 restless users who like to customize the look and feel of their operating system. The available applications range from complete suites that allow you to touch absolutely everything to those that affect particular aspects such as the main interface, the Start menu, the taskbar, the icons, or the behavior of the system itself. We leave you with a selection of the ones we like the most, not without reminding you that it is highly recommended to previously create restore points in case something goes wrong and you want to return to the previous version of the system.

ThisIsWin11

A free, open source and really powerful all-in-one since it is not limited to customizing visual elements, but offers adjustments for almost the entire system, information about the news and comparison with previous versions, automation of certain functions, improvement of the privacy by managing telemetry and applications to reduce bloatware. It also includes a package manager, more useful and intuitive than Microsoft’s own WinGet. Its developer has announced that for the moment it will not update the version, but it continues to work perfectly with a free download from GitHub.

customize windows 11

start11

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

roundedTB

If customizing the Windows 11 taskbar with its native settings isn’t enough, it’s time to look outside solutions and this one is one of the best, since you can round the corners of the taskbar, divide it into segments and add margins. Another cool feature is making the taskbar act like a floating dock. It is available in the Microsoft Store and it is free.

winaero tweaker

Another of the best-known and most complete applications to customize Windows. Its developer brought together most of the options available in an “all in one” tool and under a single interface. It has a huge number of features to vary visual aspects; colors; size of the borders of the windows, the title bars and the menus, as well as the section of the audio and in general of the behavior of the system. 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 are offering you is a powerful UWP file manager that features tabs for multitasking, tags for tagging, column layout, dual-pane layout, cloud drive detection, file previews, custom themes, and much more. In addition, it works with touch screen or mouse and keyboard. It is more intuitive than the system default and can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Store.

lively wallpaper

If you like to regularly change your desktop wallpaper, the one we selected allows you to change it easily and goes further as you can set GIFs, videos and web pages as the background. After adding the background, you can modify 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 included Widgets as part of Windows 11, but it 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, actions or application shortcuts. You can also hide official Widgets from view. Available free from the Microsoft Store.

Ultimate Windows Tweaker

Another of the most complete tools to customize Windows 10. It offers more than 200 privacy and security settings; performance; context menus; search and much more. It also works as a taskbar personalization software and allows you to change battery layouts, date and time, volume, show or hide frequent folders and recent files, and others. Free download.

TweakNow PowerPack

Geared towards customizing the way Windows 10 behaves rather than the way it looks, this application is one of the most complete you can find. It offers access to more than 100 hidden Windows settings, a registry cleaner, RAM optimizer, profiles for virtual desktops, revamped startup manager or the ability to allocate CPU resources for intensive applications. It is commercial software priced at $8.99.

Windows 11 Classic Context Menu

The Windows 11 context menu is quite annoying. When you right-click an item, you no longer see the context menu you were used to in earlier versions of Windows. Instead, you’ll see a new menu with rounded corners and fewer options. It can be customized, but if you want an app to do the work for you, here’s one to bring back the classic context menu.

Taskbar Tweaker

Another good customization app for the taskbar. It includes quite a few settings, many of them not accessible even by working in the registry.

All of the above is a selection of the dozens of third-party applications available to customize Windows 11. Create restore and test points beforehand to leave the system to your liking and needs.

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