Introduction

With Windows 10's end-of-support date approaching, many users are transitioning to Windows 11. However, the new interface and features may not appeal to everyone. Fortunately, several tweaks can help you modify Windows 11 to resemble Windows 10, offering a familiar user experience.

1. Align the Start Menu to the Left

Windows 11 introduces a centered Start Menu, a departure from Windows 10's left-aligned design. To revert this:

  1. Open Settings: Press INLINECODE0 .
  2. Navigate to Personalization: Click on 'Personalization' in the sidebar.
  3. Access Taskbar Settings: Select 'Taskbar' and then 'Taskbar behaviors'.
  4. Change Alignment: Set 'Taskbar alignment' to 'Left'.

This adjustment repositions the Start Menu and taskbar icons to the left, mimicking Windows 10's layout.

2. Restore the Classic Start Menu

To bring back the Windows 10-style Start Menu, consider using third-party applications:

  • Start11: A paid application that offers a Windows 10-style Start Menu and taskbar customization. After installation:
    • Select Windows 10 Style: Within Start11, choose the 'Windows 10 style' option.
    • Customize Appearance: Adjust settings to match your preferences.
  • ExplorerPatcher: A free, open-source tool that reverts many Windows 11 design changes:
    • Download and Install: Obtain the latest version from the official GitHub repository.
    • Configure Settings: After installation, access the 'Properties' menu to select the Windows 10 Start Menu style.

3. Modify the Taskbar

Windows 11's taskbar has undergone significant changes. To make it resemble Windows 10:

  • Use ExplorerPatcher:
    • Taskbar Style: Set the taskbar style to 'Windows 10'.
    • Enable Search and Task View: Ensure these options are activated.
    • Adjust Icon Grouping: Choose 'Always Combine' or 'Never Combine' based on your preference.
  • Use StartAllBack: Another third-party tool that offers taskbar customization:
    • Select Windows 10 Theme: Within StartAllBack, choose the 'Kinda 10' theme.
    • Customize Taskbar: Adjust icon size, position, and behavior to match Windows 10.

4. Restore Classic Context Menus

Windows 11 introduces simplified context menus. To revert to the classic Windows 10 style:

  1. Open Registry Editor: Press INLINECODE1 , type INLINECODE2 , and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to CLSID: Go to INLINECODE3 .
  3. Create a New Key: Right-click on 'CLSID', select 'New' > 'Key', and name it INLINECODE4 .
  4. Create InProcServer32 Key: Within the new key, create another key named 'InProcServer32'.
  5. Set Default Value: In 'InProcServer32', double-click the '(Default)' value and set it to an empty string.
  6. Restart Explorer: Restart Windows Explorer or reboot your system to apply changes.

5. Disable Rounded Corners

Windows 11 features rounded corners for application windows. To revert to sharp corners:

  1. Open Registry Editor: Press INLINECODE5 , type INLINECODE6 , and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to DWM: Go to INLINECODE7 .
  3. Create a New DWORD: Right-click on 'DWM', select 'New' > 'DWORD (32-bit) Value', and name it INLINECODE8 .
  4. Set Value to 0: Double-click the new DWORD and set its value to INLINECODE9 .
  5. Restart Explorer: Restart Windows Explorer or reboot your system to apply changes.

6. Restore the Classic File Explorer Ribbon

Windows 11 introduces a simplified File Explorer ribbon. To bring back the classic ribbon:

  1. Open Registry Editor: Press INLINECODE10 , type INLINECODE11 , and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to Shell Extensions: Go to INLINECODE12 .
  3. Create Blocked Key: If it doesn't exist, create a new key named 'Blocked'.
  4. Create a New String Value: Within 'Blocked', create a new string value named INLINECODE13 .
  5. Restart Explorer: Restart Windows Explorer or reboot your system to apply changes.

7. Use Windows 10 Icons and Themes

To further emulate Windows 10's appearance:

  • Download Windows 10 Icons: Obtain a Windows 10 icon pack from a reputable source.
  • Change Desktop Icons:
    • Open Settings: Press INLINECODE14 .
    • Navigate to Personalization: Click on 'Personalization' > 'Themes' > 'Desktop icon settings'.
    • Change Icons: Select an icon, click 'Change Icon', and choose the Windows 10 version.
  • Apply Windows 10 Themes: Download and apply Windows 10 themes to adjust colors and backgrounds.

8. Disable Windows 11-Specific Features

To remove features exclusive to Windows 11:

  • Disable Widgets:
    • Open Settings: Press INLINECODE15 .
    • Navigate to Personalization: Click on 'Personalization' > 'Taskbar'.
    • Turn Off Widgets: Toggle off the 'Widgets' option.
  • Disable Microsoft Copilot:
    • Open Registry Editor: Press INLINECODE16 , type INLINECODE17 , and press Enter.
    • Navigate to Windows: Go to INLINECODE18 .
    • Create WindowsCopilot Key: Right-click on 'Windows', select 'New' > 'Key', and name it 'WindowsCopilot'.
    • Create TurnOffWindowsCopilot DWORD: Within 'WindowsCopilot', create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named 'TurnOffWindowsCopilot' and set its value to INLINECODE19 .
    • Restart Explorer: Restart Windows Explorer or reboot your system to apply changes.

Conclusion

By implementing these tweaks, you can transform Windows 11 to closely resemble Windows 10, providing a familiar and comfortable user experience. Whether through built-in settings adjustments or third-party tools, these modifications allow for a personalized and seamless transition to Microsoft's latest operating system.