Windows taskbar replacement
Author: m | 2025-04-23
taskbar replacement RK Launcher is a visually pleasing replacement for the Windows taskbar, that closely resembles the MacIntosh taskbar with full color icons and
SBar Taskbar Replacement: This is a Windows taskbar replacement
Windows 7 Dual Monitor Taskbar: How to Extend Windows 7 Taskbar to a Second MonitorIntroductionMulti-monitor Taskbar: Windows 7 FeaturesEssential Controls: Start Button, Notification Area (System Tray), Show Desktop ButtonPinLive Previews and Aero PeekJump ListsTaskbar ToolbarsVisual EnhancementsMulti-monitor Taskbar: Additional FeaturesIndividual/Mirror ModeGroup Window OperationsConclusion1. Introduction In Windows 7, Microsoft has significantly redesigned one of the most essential parts of Windows user interface - the taskbar. Users got a lot of new features and facilities, like Pin, Peek, Jump Lists, and more.However, even the new Windows 7 still has no special tools for a multiple displays environment. One of the most obvious and wanted features is the ability to extend the new taskbar across all available displays: multi-monitor users would like to have the new task management features on secondary monitors as well. General Windows 7 taskbar on dual monitorsAlthough there are several third party solutions that allow duplicating the taskbar on secondary monitors, they still have no or just partial support of the new taskbar features presented in Windows 7. Actual Multiple Monitors is the first and only multi-monitor software that provides the exact replica of Windows 7 Taskbar on secondary displays. 2. Multi-monitor Taskbar: Windows 7 FeaturesAfter installation, Actual Multiple Monitors immediately adds a copy of the main Windows Taskbar to each secondary monitor. Each copy supports the following features:2.1. Essential Controls: Start Button, Notification Area (System Tray), Show Desktop ButtonHaving such essential controls as the Start button, the notification area (a.k.a. system tray) with the clock and the Show Desktop button in a second monitor's taskbar eliminates the necessity to drag the mouse to the primary monitor each time you need to perform one of the following common tasks:launch a program fr om the Start Menuaccess some background program's icon in the notification areaopen the Date and Time Properties dialogpeer past all open windows straight to the Windows 7 desktopWith Actual Multiple Monitors, you can perform any of these tasks while working with any display. Taskbar with its essential controls on a second monitor2.2. PinPin feature is a smart replacement of the Quick Launch toolbar: it allows having certain application
Taskbar Replacement Software Informer: Windows taskbar replacement
Skip to content Navigation Menu Sign in GitHub Copilot Write better code with AI Security Find and fix vulnerabilities Actions Automate any workflow Codespaces Instant dev environments Issues Plan and track work Code Review Manage code changes Discussions Collaborate outside of code Code Search Find more, search less Explore All features Documentation GitHub Skills Blog By company size Enterprises Small and medium teams Startups Nonprofits By use case DevSecOps DevOps CI/CD View all use cases By industry Healthcare Financial services Manufacturing Government View all industries View all solutions Topics AI DevOps Security Software Development View all Explore Learning Pathways Events & Webinars Ebooks & Whitepapers Customer Stories Partners Executive Insights GitHub Sponsors Fund open source developers The ReadME Project GitHub community articles Repositories Topics Trending Collections Enterprise platform AI-powered developer platform Available add-ons Advanced Security Enterprise-grade security features Copilot for business Enterprise-grade AI features Premium Support Enterprise-grade 24/7 support Pricing Provide feedback --> We read every piece of feedback, and take your input very seriously. Include my email address so I can be contacted Saved searches Use saved searches to filter your results more quickly Sign in /;ref_cta:Sign up;ref_loc:header logged out"}"> Sign up craflin / bdock Public Notifications You must be signed in to change notification settings Fork 0 Star 9 Dock style taskbar replacement for Windows 7. License Apache-2.0 license 9 stars 0 forks Branches Tags Activity Star Notifications You must be signed in to change notification settings Code Issues Pull requests Actions Projects Wiki Security Insights BranchesTagsFolders and filesNameNameLast commit messageLast commit dateLatest commitHistory115 CommitsExtExtNsisNsisSkinsSkinsSrcSrc.gitignore.gitignore.gitmodules.gitmodulesClock.vcxprojClock.vcxprojClock.vcxproj.filtersClock.vcxproj.filtersDock.slnDock.slnDock.vcxprojDock.vcxprojDock.vcxproj.filtersDock.vcxproj.filtersHideTaskbar.vcxprojHideTaskbar.vcxprojHideTaskbar.vcxproj.filtersHideTaskbar.vcxproj.filtersLICENSELICENSELauncher.vcxprojLauncher.vcxprojLauncher.vcxproj.filtersLauncher.vcxproj.filtersMarefileMarefileNOTICENOTICEREADME.mdREADME.mdSystemTray.vcxprojSystemTray.vcxprojSystemTray.vcxproj.filtersSystemTray.vcxproj.filtersTODO.txtTODO.txtbdock.pngbdock.pnglibWinAPI.vcxprojlibWinAPI.vcxprojlibWinAPI.vcxproj.filterslibWinAPI.vcxproj.filterslibnstd.vcxprojlibnstd.vcxprojlibnstd.vcxproj.filterslibnstd.vcxproj.filtersRepository files navigationREADMEApache-2.0 licenseBDockBDock is a very basic dock style launcher for Windows 7.It hides the Windows taskbar and adds an overlay (the Dock) to your desktop.The Dock lists all running applications similar to the taskbar and allows you to switch between the windows on your desktop.The Windows taskbar (and the Windows start menu) can be recovered using the Windows key.BDock was not tested on any other version of Windows than Windows 7 64-bit.BDock is written in C++ without any third party libraries or toolkits.You need Visual Studio 2010 (or newer) if you want to compile it yourself.Change Logv0.3Added launcher icon drag & dropOptimized launcher performanceFixed not working pinned icon savingFixed various minor issuesv0.2Added mouseover icon backgroundAdded launcher hotkeys for switching applications (Win + Alt + Left / Right)Changed background of activated iconsFixed various minor issuesv0.1Initial release About Dock style taskbar replacement for Windows 7. Topics shell dock taskbar system-tray windows7 Resources Readme License Apache-2.0 license Activity Stars 9 stars Watchers 2 watching Forks 0 forks Report repository Releases 3 BDock v0.3 Latest Aug 26, 2013 + 2 releases Packages No packages published Languages C++ 91.8% C 8.2%How to replace Windows 11 Taskbar with the Taskbar of Windows
Took us about 30 minutes, but that will vary depending on your computer.The upgrade procedure is different depending on whether you're running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Vista users merely need to back up their data before choosing the Upgrade option from the install disc. Both XP Home and XP Pro users will have to back up their data, then choose Custom from the install disc. Custom will have the same effect as a clean install, although it'll save your old data in a folder called Windows.old. Once you choose Custom, you'll need to select the partition of your hard drive that contains Windows XP, and then follow the instructions to enter your product key and allow the computer to reboot as needed.If you're not sure if your current computer can run Windows 7, you can download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft.Features: Taskbar and Aero PeekAlthough the look of Windows 7 may seem to be nothing more than some polish applied liberally to the Vista Aero theme, make no mistake: This is a full replacement operating system, and more than just 'Vista done right.' From driver support to multitouch groundwork for the future, from better battery management to the most easy-to-use interface Microsoft has ever had, Windows 7 is hardly half-baked.The first thing that should stand out is the new taskbar. This is one of the best improvements Microsoft has made--third-party program dock makers are going to have to do some serious innovation when Windows 7 goes public. Besides incorporating the translucent style of Aero, the new taskbar is arguably even better than the Mac OS X dock. It features pinned programs using large, easy-to-see icons. Mouse over one and all windows associated with that program appear in preview. Mouse over one of those preview panes. taskbar replacement RK Launcher is a visually pleasing replacement for the Windows taskbar, that closely resembles the MacIntosh taskbar with full color icons andTaskbar replacement and sidebar for windows
Miss the classic look of Windows XP but love the functionality of Windows 11? You can have the best of both worlds by customizing Windows 11 to resemble the iconic Windows XP interface. It’s easier than you might think, and by following a few simple steps, you’ll be taken on a nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s without losing the modern features you’ve come to rely on.Step by Step Tutorial: Making Windows 11 Look Like Windows XPBefore we begin, it’s essential to understand that we’ll be using third-party tools and tweaking system settings to achieve the Windows XP look on Windows 11. It’s an excellent way to mix the old with the new, giving you a unique computing experience.Step 1: Install a Classic Start MenuFirst things first, let’s tackle the Start menu. Windows XP had a very distinct Start menu, which is quite different from the one in Windows 11. To recreate it, you’ll need to install a third-party application like Classic Shell or StartIsBack. These programs will allow you to customize the Start menu to mimic the classic Windows XP style.After installing your Start menu replacement, you can customize its look within the application settings. You’ll often find pre-set themes that closely resemble the Windows XP Start menu, complete with the classic green start button and blue taskbar.Step 2: Change the Taskbar SettingsThe taskbar in Windows XP was simpler and more straightforward than the one in Windows 11. To recreate this, right-click on the taskbar in Windows 11, go to Taskbar settings, and adjust its properties. You can make it smaller, change the button alignment, and even tweak the system tray to look more like XP.Remember, the goal here is to simplify the taskbar. The Windows XP taskbar didn’t have a lot of the features present in WindowsTaskbar replacement / Enhancer for Windows 11? :
How-toFeb 26, 20259 minsDesktop PCsMicrosoftWindows 10 When you find yourself missing some of Microsoft's classic interface elements, there's a lot you can do. Switching to Windows 11? You’re not alone. With the clock ticking down to Windows 10’s end-of-support date in October, professionals around the globe are making plans — and lots of them are making the upgrade to Windows 11.Some parts of Windows 11 can seem downright alien at first — especially that new taskbar, which was originally designed for the now-cancelled “Windows 10X” and works a little differently from the classic Microsoft taskbar. But there’s a lot you can do to make Windows 11 work more like the Windows 10 you’re used to — without a drag on your productivity.Whether you’re upgrading your home PC or using Windows 11 at work, these tips can help you boost familiarity and productivity on Microsoft’s latest operating system. The good news is that, a few years after its release in 2021, Windows 11 is pretty solid in 2025. Some of the most annoying missing features have been restored — for example, you can now drag and drop files to the taskbar! Want more Windows PC advice? Sign up for my free Windows Intelligence newsletter. I’ll send you free Windows Field Guide downloads as a special welcome bonus! Windows 11 tip #1: Move your taskbar iconsWindows 11’s taskbar icons are centered by default, and that can be the most immediately jarring thing you notice. It breaks muscle memory if you’re used to having the Start button in the bottom-left corner, and that’s not good for productivity.Luckily, this one is easy to fix with no extra software. Just right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Expand the “Taskbar behaviors” section, click the “Taskbar alignment” section, and select “Left.” All the icons will move to the left. Windows 11’s taskbar can put all the taskbar icons on the left — just like on Windows 10.Chris Hoffman, IDGIf you want the Start button at the bottom-left corner and the taskbar icons in the center, though, you’ll need a little something extra…Want a more classic Start menu? I recommend Stardock’s Start11 as the most capable and polished Start menu replacement. Stardock has a great reputation and has been making Windows-tweaking tools for a long time.With Start11, you can choose a variety of Start menu options — ranging from a Windows 10-style Start menu to a classic Windows 7-style Start menu. (I prefer the Windows 7 style, myself.) It’s very customizable and powerful, but you don’t have to tweak it if you don’t want. You can just install it, choose your preferred Start menu style, and then forget about it. The application isWindows taskbar replacer video - taskbow.com
You are here:Home » Windows 8.1 » How To Use Start Screen As Start Menu In Windows 8.1In Windows 8.1, Microsoft has made a couple of changes to the Start screen, the Start menu replacement introduced first with Windows 8. Microsoft has introduced a new Apps view in Windows 8.1 which displays all installed apps and desktop programs. But with default settings, when you press the Windows logo key on the keyboard or click the Start button, Windows shows the Start screen instead of the Apps view.Even though you can use the Ctrl + Tab hotkey to quickly switch from the Start screen to the Apps view and you can pin your favourite apps to the Start screen, the Apps view really provides a Start menu experience. If you don’t find the Start screen so useful and prefer to see the Apps view instead when you click on the Start button, you can do so by following the given below steps. Step 1: Right-click on the empty space of the taskbar and then click Properties to open Taskbar and Navigation properties dialog.Step 2: Switch to the Navigation tab.Step 3: Under Start screen section, check the option titled Show the Apps view automatically when I go to the Start.Step 4: Click Apply button. That’s it! From now on, whenever you press the Windows logo key on the keyboard or click the Start button on the taskbar, Windows shows all installed apps (Apps view). Note that when you enable Show the Apps view automatically when I go the Start option, Windows will automatically enable Search everywhere instead of just my apps when I search from the Apps view option as well. If you want to use the Apps view as a Start menu and don’t want to use the search box inTaskdom taskbar replacer for Windows - CNET
Your existing friends!It is user friendly and feature rich supporting timestamp, avatar Support, multiple chat platform login and is... Category: Internet / CommunicationsPublisher: InfoHub Solutions Pte Ltd, License: Freeware, Price: USD $0.00, File Size: 216.0 KBPlatform: Windows LM Remote KeyMap is a replacement software for your Streamzap, Firefly, Firefly Mini, USB-UIRT, TechnoTrend or MCE Remote. LM Remote KeyMap is a replacement software for your Streamzap, Firefly, Firefly Mini, USB-UIRT, TechnoTrend or MCE Remote. With the included Remote profile editor, you can choose what each button of your Remote will do for each of your favorite application. LM Remote KeyMap can also make use of your IR Blaster (USB-UIRT or MCE) either localy or... Category: Utilities / Misc. UtilitiesPublisher: LM Gestion, License: Freeware, Price: USD $0.00, File Size: 7.1 MBPlatform: Windows Remote Keyboard Lite allows you to easily input text to your BRAVIA by using your computer. Remote Keyboard Lite allows you to easily input text to your BRAVIA by using your computer. Remote Keyboard Lite does not Support Bluetooth device function. This application is provided 'as is', we cannot guarantee performance or functionality. If you own a Sony VAIO computer, please use the version which is preinstalled, or which can be downloaded via VAIO... Category: Home & Education / MiscellaneousPublisher: Sony Corporation, License: Freeware, Price: USD $0.00, File Size: 12.8 MBPlatform: Windows Windows Remote Desktop is great, except when you have to connect to dozens of them and it fills up your taskbar! Windows Remote Desktop is great, except when you have to connect to dozens of them and it fills up your taskbar! Enter RD Tabs: the ultimate tabbed Remote Desktop Client. Not only does it provide all the expected features of "tabbed" applications like FireFox, Opera, and IE7, but it takes Remote Desktop to the next level with. taskbar replacement RK Launcher is a visually pleasing replacement for the Windows taskbar, that closely resembles the MacIntosh taskbar with full color icons and
Windows 11 Taskbar Replacement - MEFMobile
Improvements to boot. In addition to this, StartAllBack also offers customization options for the Start menu, allowing you to make it look more like WIndows 7 while keeping the modern Windows 11 design language, and it looks quite good. It can even tweak File Explorer, too, changing the menu bar to use the Windows 10-style ribbon or the old command bar from Windows 7, both with modernized styles. It's a great app that's definitely worth the $5 if you want some extra customization options. ObjectDock Make it look more like a Mac This one is a bit more out there, but it's honestly one of my personal favorite ways to get a transparent taskbar that gets completely out of the way when you're not using it. ObjectDock isn't necessarily a taskbar replacement, but it's default QuickLaunch dock can do exactly that, and it makes your Windows PC feel more like a Mac, but even more lively. It replaces the taskbar with a completely transparent dock to launch and manage your open apps, and it can also hide automatically, so you get the full real estate of your screen for your apps. Related ObjectDock review: Making Windows look like a Mac is cooler than I thought ObjectDock is a fairly simple app, but it's enough to make my PC feel much more personal and unique. ObjectDock actually lets you create multiple docks, so you can have more launch points for any app you want on any side of the screen, andA working taskbar replacement for windows. - GitHub
Windows 11 (codenamed Sun Valley) is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft and is the latest major release of the Windows NT family, succeeding Windows 10.[2] It was formally announced at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on June 24, 2021.[3] Windows 11 became available as a free upgrade to eligible customers on October 5, 2021, more than six years after its predecessor's release date and the longest time span between successive releases of Microsoft Windows.[1]Windows 11 features major changes to the Windows shell influenced by the canceled Windows 10X, including a redesigned Start menu, the replacement of its "live tiles" with a separate "Widgets" panel on the Taskbar, the ability to create tiled sets of windows that can be minimized and restored from the Taskbar as a group, and new gaming technologies inherited from Xbox Series X and Series S such as Auto HDR and DirectStorage on compatible hardware. Internet Explorer (IE) has been replaced by the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge like its predecessor, Windows 10. Microsoft Teams is integrated into the shell. Microsoft also announced plans to allow more flexibility in software that can be distributed via Microsoft Store, and to support Android apps on Windows 11 (including a partnership with Amazon to make its app store available for the function).Development[]The UI of the project is codenamed "Sun Valley" and is based on the 21H2 Cobalt development cycle, done in the private, separate co-refresh branch. [4] Online support documents that were published (and withdrawn) in early June 2021 indicated. taskbar replacement RK Launcher is a visually pleasing replacement for the Windows taskbar, that closely resembles the MacIntosh taskbar with full color icons and taskbar replacement RK Launcher is a visually pleasing replacement for the Windows taskbar, that closely resembles the MacIntosh taskbar with full color icons and[OC] Replacement for the Windows taskbar, start
New 19 Oct 2015 #1 How to change the Windows white start up logo? I would like to change the Windows white start up logo (see photo) to a more colorful one.In an earlier Ten Forums post there was software that did this called "Windows 8.1 start button changer" which is no longer available. The replacement software is called "CustomizerGod" but when I tried downloading it I received several virus warnings. Is there other software available that is "safe" to use?Solved How to change Start Menu icon? - Windows 10 Forums New 19 Oct 2015 #2 One other utility that also can make the start menu similar to Windows 7, is Classic Shell. If you want to get back the familiar Vista and 7 orb, add Seven VG Windows 7 skin for Classic Shell. I'm running Classic Shell with this skin, as you can see in this photo bellow.Yes, I have customized the color of the taskbar, as I can customize the color of the start menu separately. You can also make the taskbar opaque or transparent with various degrees of transparency. At the Classic start menu settings, select custom button and then browse to the folder where you extracted the skin. New 19 Oct 2015 #3 Thanks spapakons. I don't mind the Windows 10 tiles in the start menu, just the lack of color in the Windows 10 flag. Does Classic Shell change the Windows 10 "look" completely back to Window 7 or is it possible just to changeComments
Windows 7 Dual Monitor Taskbar: How to Extend Windows 7 Taskbar to a Second MonitorIntroductionMulti-monitor Taskbar: Windows 7 FeaturesEssential Controls: Start Button, Notification Area (System Tray), Show Desktop ButtonPinLive Previews and Aero PeekJump ListsTaskbar ToolbarsVisual EnhancementsMulti-monitor Taskbar: Additional FeaturesIndividual/Mirror ModeGroup Window OperationsConclusion1. Introduction In Windows 7, Microsoft has significantly redesigned one of the most essential parts of Windows user interface - the taskbar. Users got a lot of new features and facilities, like Pin, Peek, Jump Lists, and more.However, even the new Windows 7 still has no special tools for a multiple displays environment. One of the most obvious and wanted features is the ability to extend the new taskbar across all available displays: multi-monitor users would like to have the new task management features on secondary monitors as well. General Windows 7 taskbar on dual monitorsAlthough there are several third party solutions that allow duplicating the taskbar on secondary monitors, they still have no or just partial support of the new taskbar features presented in Windows 7. Actual Multiple Monitors is the first and only multi-monitor software that provides the exact replica of Windows 7 Taskbar on secondary displays. 2. Multi-monitor Taskbar: Windows 7 FeaturesAfter installation, Actual Multiple Monitors immediately adds a copy of the main Windows Taskbar to each secondary monitor. Each copy supports the following features:2.1. Essential Controls: Start Button, Notification Area (System Tray), Show Desktop ButtonHaving such essential controls as the Start button, the notification area (a.k.a. system tray) with the clock and the Show Desktop button in a second monitor's taskbar eliminates the necessity to drag the mouse to the primary monitor each time you need to perform one of the following common tasks:launch a program fr om the Start Menuaccess some background program's icon in the notification areaopen the Date and Time Properties dialogpeer past all open windows straight to the Windows 7 desktopWith Actual Multiple Monitors, you can perform any of these tasks while working with any display. Taskbar with its essential controls on a second monitor2.2. PinPin feature is a smart replacement of the Quick Launch toolbar: it allows having certain application
2025-03-28Skip to content Navigation Menu Sign in GitHub Copilot Write better code with AI Security Find and fix vulnerabilities Actions Automate any workflow Codespaces Instant dev environments Issues Plan and track work Code Review Manage code changes Discussions Collaborate outside of code Code Search Find more, search less Explore All features Documentation GitHub Skills Blog By company size Enterprises Small and medium teams Startups Nonprofits By use case DevSecOps DevOps CI/CD View all use cases By industry Healthcare Financial services Manufacturing Government View all industries View all solutions Topics AI DevOps Security Software Development View all Explore Learning Pathways Events & Webinars Ebooks & Whitepapers Customer Stories Partners Executive Insights GitHub Sponsors Fund open source developers The ReadME Project GitHub community articles Repositories Topics Trending Collections Enterprise platform AI-powered developer platform Available add-ons Advanced Security Enterprise-grade security features Copilot for business Enterprise-grade AI features Premium Support Enterprise-grade 24/7 support Pricing Provide feedback --> We read every piece of feedback, and take your input very seriously. Include my email address so I can be contacted Saved searches Use saved searches to filter your results more quickly Sign in /;ref_cta:Sign up;ref_loc:header logged out"}"> Sign up craflin / bdock Public Notifications You must be signed in to change notification settings Fork 0 Star 9 Dock style taskbar replacement for Windows 7. License Apache-2.0 license 9 stars 0 forks Branches Tags Activity Star Notifications You must be signed in to change notification settings Code Issues Pull requests Actions Projects Wiki Security Insights BranchesTagsFolders and filesNameNameLast commit messageLast commit dateLatest commitHistory115 CommitsExtExtNsisNsisSkinsSkinsSrcSrc.gitignore.gitignore.gitmodules.gitmodulesClock.vcxprojClock.vcxprojClock.vcxproj.filtersClock.vcxproj.filtersDock.slnDock.slnDock.vcxprojDock.vcxprojDock.vcxproj.filtersDock.vcxproj.filtersHideTaskbar.vcxprojHideTaskbar.vcxprojHideTaskbar.vcxproj.filtersHideTaskbar.vcxproj.filtersLICENSELICENSELauncher.vcxprojLauncher.vcxprojLauncher.vcxproj.filtersLauncher.vcxproj.filtersMarefileMarefileNOTICENOTICEREADME.mdREADME.mdSystemTray.vcxprojSystemTray.vcxprojSystemTray.vcxproj.filtersSystemTray.vcxproj.filtersTODO.txtTODO.txtbdock.pngbdock.pnglibWinAPI.vcxprojlibWinAPI.vcxprojlibWinAPI.vcxproj.filterslibWinAPI.vcxproj.filterslibnstd.vcxprojlibnstd.vcxprojlibnstd.vcxproj.filterslibnstd.vcxproj.filtersRepository files navigationREADMEApache-2.0 licenseBDockBDock is a very basic dock style launcher for Windows 7.It hides the Windows taskbar and adds an overlay (the Dock) to your desktop.The Dock lists all running applications similar to the taskbar and allows you to switch between the windows on your desktop.The Windows taskbar (and the Windows start menu) can be recovered using the Windows key.BDock was not tested on any other version of Windows than Windows 7 64-bit.BDock is written in C++ without any third party libraries or toolkits.You need Visual Studio 2010 (or newer) if you want to compile it yourself.Change Logv0.3Added launcher icon drag & dropOptimized launcher performanceFixed not working pinned icon savingFixed various minor issuesv0.2Added mouseover icon backgroundAdded launcher hotkeys for switching applications (Win + Alt + Left / Right)Changed background of activated iconsFixed various minor issuesv0.1Initial release About Dock style taskbar replacement for Windows 7. Topics shell dock taskbar system-tray windows7 Resources Readme License Apache-2.0 license Activity Stars 9 stars Watchers 2 watching Forks 0 forks Report repository Releases 3 BDock v0.3 Latest Aug 26, 2013 + 2 releases Packages No packages published Languages C++ 91.8% C 8.2%
2025-04-15Miss the classic look of Windows XP but love the functionality of Windows 11? You can have the best of both worlds by customizing Windows 11 to resemble the iconic Windows XP interface. It’s easier than you might think, and by following a few simple steps, you’ll be taken on a nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s without losing the modern features you’ve come to rely on.Step by Step Tutorial: Making Windows 11 Look Like Windows XPBefore we begin, it’s essential to understand that we’ll be using third-party tools and tweaking system settings to achieve the Windows XP look on Windows 11. It’s an excellent way to mix the old with the new, giving you a unique computing experience.Step 1: Install a Classic Start MenuFirst things first, let’s tackle the Start menu. Windows XP had a very distinct Start menu, which is quite different from the one in Windows 11. To recreate it, you’ll need to install a third-party application like Classic Shell or StartIsBack. These programs will allow you to customize the Start menu to mimic the classic Windows XP style.After installing your Start menu replacement, you can customize its look within the application settings. You’ll often find pre-set themes that closely resemble the Windows XP Start menu, complete with the classic green start button and blue taskbar.Step 2: Change the Taskbar SettingsThe taskbar in Windows XP was simpler and more straightforward than the one in Windows 11. To recreate this, right-click on the taskbar in Windows 11, go to Taskbar settings, and adjust its properties. You can make it smaller, change the button alignment, and even tweak the system tray to look more like XP.Remember, the goal here is to simplify the taskbar. The Windows XP taskbar didn’t have a lot of the features present in Windows
2025-04-05How-toFeb 26, 20259 minsDesktop PCsMicrosoftWindows 10 When you find yourself missing some of Microsoft's classic interface elements, there's a lot you can do. Switching to Windows 11? You’re not alone. With the clock ticking down to Windows 10’s end-of-support date in October, professionals around the globe are making plans — and lots of them are making the upgrade to Windows 11.Some parts of Windows 11 can seem downright alien at first — especially that new taskbar, which was originally designed for the now-cancelled “Windows 10X” and works a little differently from the classic Microsoft taskbar. But there’s a lot you can do to make Windows 11 work more like the Windows 10 you’re used to — without a drag on your productivity.Whether you’re upgrading your home PC or using Windows 11 at work, these tips can help you boost familiarity and productivity on Microsoft’s latest operating system. The good news is that, a few years after its release in 2021, Windows 11 is pretty solid in 2025. Some of the most annoying missing features have been restored — for example, you can now drag and drop files to the taskbar! Want more Windows PC advice? Sign up for my free Windows Intelligence newsletter. I’ll send you free Windows Field Guide downloads as a special welcome bonus! Windows 11 tip #1: Move your taskbar iconsWindows 11’s taskbar icons are centered by default, and that can be the most immediately jarring thing you notice. It breaks muscle memory if you’re used to having the Start button in the bottom-left corner, and that’s not good for productivity.Luckily, this one is easy to fix with no extra software. Just right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Expand the “Taskbar behaviors” section, click the “Taskbar alignment” section, and select “Left.” All the icons will move to the left. Windows 11’s taskbar can put all the taskbar icons on the left — just like on Windows 10.Chris Hoffman, IDGIf you want the Start button at the bottom-left corner and the taskbar icons in the center, though, you’ll need a little something extra…Want a more classic Start menu? I recommend Stardock’s Start11 as the most capable and polished Start menu replacement. Stardock has a great reputation and has been making Windows-tweaking tools for a long time.With Start11, you can choose a variety of Start menu options — ranging from a Windows 10-style Start menu to a classic Windows 7-style Start menu. (I prefer the Windows 7 style, myself.) It’s very customizable and powerful, but you don’t have to tweak it if you don’t want. You can just install it, choose your preferred Start menu style, and then forget about it. The application is
2025-03-29