Tailoring Your Windows Experience: Windhawk vs. ExplorerPatcher and Update Management

Introduction

Windows customization has become a vital pursuit for enthusiasts aiming to personalize their user interface and enhance productivity. As Microsoft transitions from Windows 10 to Windows 11, many users find the default UI limiting, especially with Windows 11's redesigned Start menu and taskbar. Fortunately, powerful community-driven tools like Windhawk and ExplorerPatcher have emerged, offering extensive customization options to reclaim familiarity and control.

This guide explores these tools in depth, compares their features, and discusses managing Windows updates to maintain stability while customizing aggressively.

Background on Windows Customization

Windows has historically allowed UI tweaks, but Windows 11 brought a radical redesign focusing on simplicity and touch. While visually appealing, this came at the cost of customization flexibility, prompting a dedicated community to create mods and utilities.

Among these utilities:

  • ExplorerPatcher: An open-source tool that restores Windows 10-like UI elements including taskbar, Start menu, and File Explorer classic ribbon.
  • Windhawk: A modular, open-source customization platform acting as a marketplace for tweaks (called mods), addressing UI customization more granularly and supporting even ARM64 devices.

Many users also consider alternatives like Start11 and StartAllBack, but this guide focuses on these free, community-backed leaders.

Windhawk: The Modular Powerhouse

Core Features

Windhawk has rapidly ascended as a leading modding platform, offering:

  • Extensive Mod Library: Mods range from Start menu tweaks to taskbar height adjustments and volume control enhancements directly on the taskbar.
  • Start Menu Styler: Allows removing or reshaping the controversial "Recommended" section and restoring Windows 10-style layouts.
  • Taskbar Tweaks: Resizing icons, adjusting transparency, disabling rounded corners, and adding vertical taskbars.
  • Retro Themes: Remake classic Windows appearances like Vista and Windows 7 while retaining Windows 11's underlying functionality.
  • ARM64 Support: Version 1.6 introduced native support for ARM64 devices, enabling customization on Snapdragon-powered devices.

Technical Details and Updates

Windhawk’s open-source framework provides a centralized repository where users can browse, install, and update mods seamlessly. Unlike heavy registry hacks or UX packs, these mods maintain relative system stability and modularity.

Windhawk 1.6’s ARM64 support bridged a significant gap for Windows on ARM users, now allowing native mod compatibility instead of relying on emulated x86 apps.

Risks and Considerations

Despite its strengths, deep system mods carry risks:

  • Possible system instability after Windows updates
  • Compatibility issues with legacy apps or anti-cheat mechanisms in games
  • Need for prudent use: backing up before tweaking and testing changes incrementally

ExplorerPatcher: Free and Feature-Rich UI Restoration

Overview

ExplorerPatcher acts like the "Robin Hood" of Windows UI customization, focusing on bringing back neglected classic UI elements:

  • Taskbar behaviors and styles mimicking Windows 10
  • Re-enabled classic Start Menu folders and layout
  • Classic File Explorer Ribbon UI toggle
  • System Tray reverting to compact, sharp-cornered tooltips

Installation and Usage

Simple install steps:

  1. Download INLINECODE0 from GitHub
  2. Run the installer; Explorer restarts automatically
  3. Access ExplorerPatcher settings to enable Windows 10 styles and customize taskbar

Advantages

  • Completely free and open-source
  • Highly stable with active developer community support
  • Fine-tuning of classic UI aspects without reinventing whole workflows

Limitations

  • Slightly less modular compared to Windhawk’s marketplace approach
  • Primarily focused on classic restoration rather than deep novel customization

Managing Windows Updates with Customizations

Windows updates can disrupt mods by altering system files or UI frameworks. Users should:

  • Use Active Hours and Pause Updates: Control when updates install to avoid interrupting workflows
  • Backup Regularly: System restore points or full backups before mod installation
  • Follow Mod Author Guidance: Check for compatibility notes when new Windows updates roll out
  • Prepare for Reinstalling or Disabling Mods: After major feature updates, some mods may temporarily break

These precautions help mitigate the impact of Windows updates on heavily customized setups.

Implications and Impact

The vibrant customization ecosystem around Windows shows a strong user desire for control over their computing environment. Tools like Windhawk and ExplorerPatcher revive legacy features many users rely on and enable modern personalization beyond Microsoft’s out-of-the-box options.

These tools exemplify community-driven innovation, pushing Windows usability boundaries within a framework of transparency and open source.

However, users must balance customization ambition with system reliability and security, ensuring due diligence and informed risks.

Conclusion

For Windows enthusiasts seeking to tailor their experience, Windhawk and ExplorerPatcher represent two pillars of powerful, accessible customization. Windhawk excels in modular, wide-ranging tweaks including support for the latest ARM64 devices. ExplorerPatcher offers a focused, reliable restoration of beloved Windows 10 UI elements.

Combining these tools with careful update management strategies empowers users to craft familiar, productive, and visually pleasing Windows environments that match their workflow and aesthetic preferences.