How To Make Windows 11 Look Like Windows 10

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, Windows 11 has emerged as the latest operating system from Microsoft, boasting an array of new features and design elements. However, for those who prefer the familiarity and user interface of Windows 10, there is a way to make Windows 11 look like its predecessor. By customizing certain settings and utilizing various tools, users can recreate the look and feel of Windows 10 on their Windows 11 machines. This article will explore the steps to achieve this, ensuring a seamless transition for those who prefer the tried and tested Windows 10 interface.

To make Windows 11 look like Windows 10, the first step is to adjust the taskbar settings. Windows 11 introduced a centered taskbar, which was a departure from the traditional left-aligned taskbar seen in Windows 10. However, users can easily move the taskbar to the left by right-clicking on the taskbar, selecting "Taskbar settings," and toggling off the "Center align taskbar" option. Additionally, the system tray, which is now placed in the bottom right corner of the screen, can be relocated to the bottom left corner, similar to its Windows 10 counterpart. By adjusting these settings, users can recreate the familiar taskbar layout of Windows 10, providing a sense of continuity and comfort.

Customizing the Start Menu and Taskbar

If you're a Windows 10 enthusiast who recently upgraded to Windows 11, you might miss the familiar look and feel of the previous version. The new streamlined design of Windows 11 might take some time to get used to, but fear not – there are ways to make Windows 11 resemble Windows 10. One of the key areas to focus on is customizing the Start Menu and Taskbar. By making a few modifications, you can bring back the familiar layout and functionality you were accustomed to on Windows 10.

1. Resize the Start Menu

By default, the Start Menu in Windows 11 is centered on the screen and has a more compact design compared to Windows 10. However, if you prefer a larger Start Menu that spans the entire width of the screen like in Windows 10, you can easily resize it to your liking. Simply click and drag the edges of the Start Menu to expand or contract its size.

To further customize the Start Menu, you can also add or remove tiles by right-clicking on an app and selecting the "Pin to Start" or "Unpin from Start" option. This allows you to have quick access to your most frequently used apps, similar to the layout in Windows 10.

If you preferred the Live Tiles feature from Windows 10, which displayed real-time information on the Start Menu, you can achieve a similar effect in Windows 11 by using widgets. Widgets in Windows 11 provide personalized news, weather updates, and other information right on your desktop.

You can access widgets by clicking on the Widgets icon on the Taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + W. This way, you can have quick access to relevant information without sacrificing the cleaner and more streamlined Start Menu design of Windows 11.

2. Restore the Taskbar Icons

Windows 11 introduces a centered Taskbar design with application icons in the middle of the screen, which deviates from the left-aligned Taskbar in Windows 10. If you prefer the old Taskbar layout, you can move the icons back to the left side of the screen for a more familiar look.

To do this, right-click on the Taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." In the Taskbar settings menu, navigate to the "Taskbar behaviors" section and change the "Taskbar alignment" option to "Left." This will move the Taskbar icons back to the left side of the screen, similar to the layout in Windows 10.

If you want to further customize the Taskbar, you can also choose to show or hide certain icons. Right-click on the Taskbar, select "Taskbar settings," and toggle the switches under the "Notification area" and "Taskbar corner overflow" sections.

By restoring the left-aligned Taskbar icons and adjusting other settings, you can make your Windows 11 desktop resemble the familiar Taskbar layout of Windows 10.

3. Enable Desktop Background Slideshow

Another aspect of Windows 10 that may be missed in Windows 11 is the desktop background slideshow feature. In Windows 10, you could set a collection of images to rotate as your desktop background. This feature is not available by default in Windows 11, but you can still enable it using a workaround.

To enable desktop background slideshow in Windows 11, you can use third-party software like "Wallpaper Engine" or "John's Background Switcher." These applications allow you to create custom slideshows with your preferred images and set them as your desktop background.

Once you've installed one of these applications, you can choose the images you want to include in the slideshow and customize the slideshow settings. This way, you can enjoy the dynamic and changing desktop backgrounds, just like in Windows 10.

4. Customize the Taskbar Appearance

The appearance of the Taskbar in Windows 11 differs from Windows 10, with more rounded corners and a translucent effect. If you prefer the squared-off, opaque Taskbar of Windows 10, there are ways to modify the appearance to match your preferences.

You can achieve a more Windows 10-like Taskbar appearance by using third-party software like "Open-Shell" or "TaskbarX." These applications allow you to customize the Taskbar color, opacity, and other visual aspects, giving you more control over the appearance.

Additionally, you can also customize other visual elements of Windows 11, such as window borders and title bar colors, to resemble the look of Windows 10. Tools like "Winaero Tweaker" or "Windows Style Builder" provide advanced customization options for tweaking various aspects of the user interface.

5. Use Virtual Desktops and Snap Assist

If you were a fan of the virtual desktops and snap assist features in Windows 10, you'll be pleased to know that these features are also available in Windows 11. You can still create and switch between virtual desktops to keep your workspaces organized and utilize snap assist to easily arrange windows side by side.

To access virtual desktops in Windows 11, click on the Task View button on the Taskbar or press Windows key + Tab. From here, you can create new desktops, move windows between desktops, and switch between them effortlessly. This way, you can maintain the productivity-enhancing features you enjoyed in Windows 10.

Similarly, snap assist in Windows 11 allows you to easily snap windows to different areas of the screen for multitasking. You can drag windows to the sides or corners of the screen, and they will automatically resize and arrange themselves accordingly. This makes it convenient to work with multiple windows simultaneously, just like in Windows 10.

Switching between Windows 10 and Windows 11

While customizing Windows 11 to look like Windows 10 can help ease the transition, it's important to note that both operating systems have their unique features and benefits. Windows 11 introduces a modern and streamlined design with improved functionality and security.

If you find that you miss certain features of Windows 10 but still want to experience the advantages of Windows 11, you can consider using both operating systems. One option is to set up a dual-boot configuration, where you have Windows 10 installed alongside Windows 11 on separate partitions of your hard drive.

This way, you can choose which operating system to boot into each time you start your computer, giving you the flexibility to switch between the two as needed. Just make sure to allocate enough disk space for both operating systems and follow the necessary steps to set up a dual-boot configuration.

By having the best of both worlds, you can enjoy the familiarity of Windows 10 when you need it while still benefiting from the enhancements of Windows 11.

How to Make Windows 11 Look like Windows 10?

If you prefer the look and feel of Windows 10 over Windows 11, there are a few steps you can take to make your Windows 11 computer resemble Windows 10. Here's how:

• Change the Start Menu: You can customize the Start Menu in Windows 11 to resemble the one in Windows 10. Simply right-click on the taskbar, go to "Taskbar settings," and choose "Start" from the sidebar. Here, you can enable "Show app icons in the taskbar" and "Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar" to make it look more like Windows 10.
• Switch to Classic Theme: Windows 11 comes with a new modern design, but you can switch to a classic theme to make it look like Windows 10. Right-click on the desktop, select "Personalize," and choose "Windows (light)" or "Windows (dark)" from the "Choose a theme" dropdown menu.
• Install Windows 10-like Apps: If you miss the familiar apps from Windows 10, you can download and install third-party apps that replicate their functionality and appearance. For example, you can get a Windows 10-like Start Menu, a file explorer, and a taskbar.

By following these steps, you can make your Windows 11 computer look and feel more like Windows 10, giving you a familiar user experience that you're comfortable with.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're not a fan of the new Windows 11 interface and prefer the familiarity of Windows 10, you're in luck! Here are some commonly asked questions about how to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10.

1. Can I change the Start Menu layout in Windows 11 to resemble Windows 10?

Yes, you can customize the Start Menu in Windows 11 to resemble the layout of Windows 10. In Windows 11, the Start Menu is centered by default, but you can change it to a more familiar left-aligned layout by right-clicking on the taskbar, selecting "Taskbar settings," and toggling off the "Center align taskbar" option.

You can also resize the Start Menu and make it full-screen or smaller, similar to the options in Windows 10. Right-click on the taskbar, go to "Taskbar settings," and under the "Start" section, adjust the "Change the size of the text, apps, and other items" option to your preference.

2. How can I bring back the Windows 10 desktop icons?

In Windows 11, the desktop icons are hidden by default, but you can easily bring them back. Right-click on the desktop, select "View" from the context menu, and make sure the "Show desktop icons" option is checked.

If you prefer the specific arrangement of icons from your Windows 10 desktop, you can manually rearrange them in Windows 11 by dragging and dropping them into the desired positions.

3. Is it possible to change the Windows 11 taskbar to look like the one in Windows 10?

Although the Windows 11 taskbar has a centered arrangement with new features, you can customize it to resemble the Windows 10 taskbar. Right-click on the taskbar, select "Taskbar settings," and under the "Taskbar behaviors" section, you can choose to show the taskbar buttons on the left, just like in Windows 10.

Furthermore, you can hide the taskbar buttons for specific apps or system icons if you prefer a cleaner look. Simply right-click on the taskbar, go to "Taskbar settings," and under the "Notification area" section, click on "Select which icons appear on the taskbar" to customize the visibility of individual icons.

4. Can I change the Windows 11 File Explorer to resemble the one in Windows 10?

Yes, you can modify the appearance of the File Explorer in Windows 11 to resemble the one in Windows 10. Open any folder in File Explorer, click on the "View" tab in the ribbon menu, and select "Options" to open Folder Options.

In the Folder Options window, go to the "View" tab and choose the "Apply to Folders" button. This will ensure that the chosen folder view settings apply to all folders, making them look more like Windows 10.

5. Are there any third-party tools or software that can help make Windows 11 resemble Windows 10?

Yes, there are third-party tools and software available that can provide additional customization options to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10. These tools often allow you to change various aspects of the user interface, such as the Start Menu, taskbar, icons, and more.

However, it's important to note that using third-party software comes with potential risks, such as compatibility issues or security vulnerabilities. Make sure to research and download tools from reputable sources, and use them at your own discretion.

To wrap up, if you're a fan of the familiar Windows 10 interface and want to make your Windows 11 experience feel more like home, there are a few simple steps you can follow. Firstly, you can customize the taskbar by relocating it to the bottom of the screen and enabling the "Combine taskbar buttons" option. This will give you the classic Windows 10 look and feel.

Additionally, you can change the Start button and menu by using third-party tools like Open-Shell. This will bring back the traditional Windows 10 Start menu with its familiar layout and functionality.