How To Change Windows 11 To Classic View

Are you missing the classic view of Windows on your Windows 11 device? Well, you are not alone. Many users appreciate the familiarity and simplicity of the classic view. Thankfully, there is a way to change Windows 11 to the classic view and enjoy the traditional features you know and love. Let's explore how to bring back the classic view on Windows 11!

To change Windows 11 to the classic view, you can use the built-in options provided by Microsoft. By accessing the Settings menu, you can customize the appearance and behavior of your Windows 11 operating system to resemble the classic view. With just a few clicks, you can have the familiar start menu, taskbar, and desktop layout that you are accustomed to. This allows you to navigate your computer with ease and efficiency, ensuring a smooth transition from previous Windows versions. Make the most of your Windows 11 experience by switching to the classic view and enjoy the best of both worlds.

How to Change Windows 11 to Classic View: Enhancing the User Experience

Windows 11 introduces a modern and visually appealing interface, with updated features and design elements. However, for those who prefer a more familiar and streamlined experience, changing Windows 11 to classic view can bring back the look and feel of previous Windows versions. By reverting to classic view, users can navigate their way through the operating system with ease and efficiency. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of changing Windows 11 to classic view and highlight the key benefits of doing so.

Step 1: Accessing the Settings

The first step in changing Windows 11 to classic view is to access the settings. To do this, click on the Start button in the taskbar, located at the bottom left corner of the screen. A dropdown menu will appear. Click on the gear icon labeled "Settings." Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to directly open the settings.

Once the settings window opens, you will see a range of options categorized into different sections. We will focus on the "Personalization" section, as this is where you can make changes to the appearance and functionality of your Windows 11.

Click on the "Personalization" tab on the left sidebar to access the personalization settings.

Using the Start Menu

If you prefer to access the settings using the Start menu, you can right-click on the Start button and select "Settings" from the context menu. This will open the settings window directly.

Note: The right-click option may not be enabled by default. To enable it, right-click on the taskbar, select "Taskbar settings," and toggle on the option "Show app commands when I right-click the taskbar."

Step 2: Customizing the Taskbar

One of the key elements of the classic view is the taskbar customization. By modifying the taskbar settings, you can make it resemble the classic Windows layout.

To customize the taskbar, go to the "Personalization" section in the settings window and click on the "Taskbar" tab.

• Lock or unlock the taskbar: By default, the taskbar is set to be locked. To unlock it and make changes, right-click on the taskbar and uncheck the "Lock the taskbar" option.
• Taskbar position: To change the position of the taskbar, right-click on any empty space on the taskbar, go to the "Taskbar settings," and choose your preferred position from the drop-down menu.
• Show or hide taskbar icons: You can choose to show or hide specific icons on the taskbar by right-clicking on the taskbar, selecting "Taskbar settings," and toggling on or off the switches under the "Notification area" section.
• Taskbar buttons: To customize how taskbar buttons behave, right-click on the taskbar, go to "Taskbar settings," and choose from options like "Always combine, hide labels," "Combine when taskbar is full," or "Never combine."

Adding Quick Launch Toolbar

To further enhance the classic view, you can add the Quick Launch toolbar to the taskbar. The Quick Launch toolbar provides easy access to frequently used programs and shortcuts.

To add the Quick Launch toolbar, right-click on the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." Scroll down to the "Taskbar behaviors" section and toggle on the switch for "Show Quick Launch."

Once enabled, you will see a small horizontal bar on the taskbar. Right-click on the bar, go to "Toolbars," and select "Quick Launch." This will add the Quick Launch toolbar to the taskbar, allowing you to pin your favorite apps or folders for easy access.

Step 3: Modifying the Start Menu

The Start menu plays a vital role in the classic view experience. By modifying the Start menu settings, you can make it resemble the classic Windows Start menu.

To modify the Start menu, go to the "Personalization" section in the settings window and click on the "Start" tab.

• Disable Live Tiles: Live Tiles are interactive tiles on the Start menu that display real-time information like news, weather, or app updates. To disable Live Tiles and switch to a more static view, toggle off the switch for "Show recent apps in Start."
• Enable Start menu folders: Windows 11 introduces the ability to create folders in the Start menu, allowing you to organize your apps and shortcuts. To enable this feature, toggle on the switch for "Folders."
• Choose the Start menu style: Windows 11 offers multiple Start menu styles, including a classic Windows 10-style with a full-screen app list. To change the Start menu style, click on the drop-down menu under "Start Menu" and select your preferred style.

Pinning Apps and Folders

Pinning your favorite apps and folders to the Start menu can enhance the classic view experience by providing quick access.

To pin an app or folder to the Start menu, simply locate the app or folder in the File Explorer. Right-click on it and select "Pin to Start." The app or folder will then appear on the Start menu, allowing you to access it easily.

To remove a pinned app or folder, right-click on it in the Start menu and select "Unpin from Start."

Configuring Windows 11 for a Classic View: Simplifying the User Experience

Windows 11 offers a range of customization options to simplify the user experience and bring back the classic view. By following the steps outlined below, you can tailor Windows 11 to suit your preferences and work more efficiently.

Step 1: Customizing the Desktop

Customizing the desktop is an essential part of creating a classic view in Windows 11. By making adjustments to the desktop settings, you can create a visually pleasing and functional workspace.

To start customizing the desktop, right-click on any empty space on the desktop and select "Personalize." This will open the personalization settings for the desktop.

• Choose a desktop background: In the personalization settings, click on "Background" to select a wallpaper for your desktop. You can choose from the default options or browse your computer for a custom image.
• Customize taskbar and desktop icon settings: In the personalization settings, select "Taskbar" or "Desktop icon settings" to customize various aspects of the taskbar and desktop icons, such as icon size, alignment, and visibility.
• Enable or disable desktop animations: Windows 11 introduces new animations when opening and closing windows. To disable these animations and create a more streamlined experience, go to the settings window, click on "System," then select "Display" from the left sidebar. Scroll down and toggle off the switch for "Animations when opening windows."

Creating Desktop Shortcuts

Creating shortcuts on the desktop provides quick access to your frequently used apps, folders, or files.

To create a shortcut on the desktop, locate the app, folder, or file in the File Explorer. Right-click on it and select "Create shortcut." This will create a shortcut file that you can then drag and drop onto the desktop.

To remove a shortcut from the desktop, simply drag and drop it into the Recycle Bin.

Step 2: Changing File Explorer Options

File Explorer is a powerful tool for navigating and managing files and folders in Windows 11. By modifying the File Explorer options, you can enhance the classic view experience and customize the way you interact with files.

To access the File Explorer options, open any folder in File Explorer and click on the "View" tab at the top of the window. This will open a range of options you can modify.

• Show file extensions: By default, Windows 11 hides file extensions to create a cleaner view. However, displaying file extensions can be useful when distinguishing between different file types. To show file extensions, check the box for "File name extensions" in the View tab.
• Show hidden files and folders: Some system files and folders are hidden by default to prevent accidental modifications. To show hidden files and folders, check the box for "Hidden items" in the View tab.
• Enable or disable Quick Access: Quick Access is a feature in File Explorer that provides convenient access to frequently used folders and recently accessed files. To disable Quick Access and revert to a more traditional view, click on the "Options" button in the View tab and select "General." Under the "Privacy" section, change the dropdown menu to "This PC."

Customizing Folder View Options

Folder view options allow you to customize how File Explorer displays files and folders.

To customize folder view options, open any folder in File Explorer. Right-click on any empty space in the folder window and select "View." This will present various options you can adjust to suit your preferences.

For example, you can change the view layout to "Details" to display file and folder properties, or you can arrange files by name, date modified, or file size. You can also group files by different categories or customize the column headers to show specific information.

Conclusion

Changing Windows 11 to classic view allows users to personalize their experience and bring back the familiarity of previous Windows versions. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this article, users can access the settings, customize the taskbar, modify the Start menu, configure the desktop, and change File Explorer options to create a classic view that suits their preferences. Whether it's for efficiency, nostalgia, or personal preference, the classic view in Windows 11 offers a streamlined and familiar user experience.

Changing Windows 11 to Classic View

To change Windows 11 to the classic view, follow the steps below:

• Right-click on the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings."
• In the taskbar settings, scroll down and click on "Taskbar behaviors."
• Under "Taskbar behaviors," toggle the "Use small taskbar buttons" option to off.
• Next, go to the "Start" menu and click on "Settings."
• In the Windows Settings menu, click on "Personalization."
• Under Personalization, select "Themes" from the left-hand menu.
• Scroll down to the "Related settings" section and click on "Advanced settings."
• In the Advanced settings menu, click on "System."
• Scroll down and locate the "Performance" section, then click on "Settings."
• In the Performance Options menu, under the "Visual Effects" tab, select "Adjust for best performance."

By following these steps, you can change Windows 11 to the classic view. This will modify the taskbar, start menu, and overall system appearance to resemble the classic Windows theme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about changing Windows 11 to classic view:

1. How can I change Windows 11 to classic view?

To change Windows 11 to classic view, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Windows taskbar and select "Taskbar settings".

2. In the Taskbar settings, go to the "Taskbar behaviors" section.

3. Under the "Taskbar behaviors" section, toggle the switch for "Combine taskbar buttons" to "Never".

4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

2. Are there any other ways to change Windows 11 to classic view?

Yes, apart from the method mentioned above, there is an alternative way to change Windows 11 to classic view:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Windows Settings.

2. Click on "Personalization" in the Windows Settings.

3. In the left sidebar, select "Taskbar".

4. In the Taskbar settings, go to the "Taskbar behaviors" section and toggle the switch for "Combine taskbar buttons" to "Never".

3. Will changing Windows 11 to classic view affect my computer's performance?

No, changing Windows 11 to classic view will not affect your computer's performance. It only changes the appearance of the taskbar buttons and does not interfere with the underlying performance of your system.

The classic view simply allows you to display each open window as a separate button on the taskbar, making it easier to navigate between different applications.

4. Can I revert the changes and switch back to the default view?

Yes, if you want to switch back to the default view in Windows 11, you can follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Windows taskbar and select "Taskbar settings".

2. In the Taskbar settings, go to the "Taskbar behaviors" section.

3. Under the "Taskbar behaviors" section, toggle the switch for "Combine taskbar buttons" to "Always" or "When taskbar is full".

4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

5. Can I customize the classic view in Windows 11?

No, the classic view in Windows 11 does not offer customization options. It is a predefined layout that displays each open window as a separate button on the taskbar.

However, you can customize other aspects of Windows 11, such as the desktop background, theme, and start menu, to personalize your overall user experience.

In summary, changing Windows 11 to classic view can be a helpful adjustment for users who prefer the traditional layout and features. By following a few simple steps, you can transform the look and feel of your Windows 11 interface.

Remember, to change to classic view in Windows 11, you need to access the taskbar properties, switch to the Start menu tab, and select the "Use Start menu instead of Start screen" option. Additionally, you can customize the appearance of your taskbar by right-clicking on it, choosing the "Taskbar settings" option, and making adjustments according to your preferences.