How to Make Windows 11 Look Like Windows 10

Windows 11 has definitely brought about some changes in its appearance as compared to Windows 10. However, some may find it challenging to navigate through its new interface. If you have recently upgraded to Windows 11, but wish to restore the look and feel of Windows 10, this guide is for you.

Changing the appearance of Windows 11 to resemble Windows 10 does not require any complex steps. It involves customization of your desktop settings, Start menu, and taskbar. In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to change the Windows 11 interface to match that of Windows 10, making it easier for you to use your computer and find your way around it.

Section 1: How to Make Windows 11 Look Like Windows 10

If you’re someone who enjoys using Windows 10 and isn’t quite ready to make the switch to Windows 11, you might be wondering if it’s possible to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10. The good news is that it is possible to change the appearance of Windows 11 to look more like Windows 10 with just a few simple tweaks. In this article, we’ll walk you through step-by-step on how to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10.

Subheading 1: Change the Start Menu

The Start menu in Windows 11 received a significant redesign, which can make it look unfamiliar to Windows 10 users. However, you can change it to resemble the classic Start menu. To do this, right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Under the “Start” dropdown menu, select “Classic” instead of “Recommended.”

Subheading 2: Change the Taskbar Position

The taskbar in Windows 11 has been moved to the center of the screen, which can be confusing for Windows 10 users. Thankfully, you can change it back to its original position. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings,” then select “Left” for “Taskbar alignment.”

Subheading 3: Bring Back Cortana

In Windows 11, Cortana has been integrated into the search bar, which might not be ideal for some users. To bring back the dedicated Cortana button, click on the search menu and select “Settings.” Turn off “Show integrated search bar” and turn on “Show Cortana icon.”

Subheading 4: Change the Icon Layout

The icons on your desktop in Windows 11 are likely bigger than in Windows 10, but you can change the icon size and spacing. Right-click on the desktop and select “Display settings.” Under “Scale and layout,” select “100%” for “Change the size of text, apps, and other items.” Then, under “Advanced scaling settings,” select “100%.” To change the icon spacing, right-click on the desktop and select “View.” Choose “Small icons” or “Medium icons.”

Subheading 5: Customize the Taskbar

You can personalize your taskbar in Windows 11 to resemble the one in Windows 10. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Under “Taskbar behaviors,” turn on “Combine taskbar buttons” and “Use peek to preview the desktop.” Then, under “Taskbar appearance,” turn on “Show badges on taskbar buttons.”

Subheading 6: Change the Window Borders

In Windows 11, the window borders are thinner and less visible, compared to Windows 10. To change this, download a third-party app like Winaero Tweaker or OldNewExplorer. These apps can bring back the thicker window borders and customize the look of your windows.

Subheading 7: Use Classic Desktop Icons

If you prefer the classic desktop icons in Windows 10 over the redesigned ones in Windows 11, you can change them back. Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize.” Click on “Themes” and then “Desktop icon settings.” Select “Computer,” “Recycle Bin,” “Control Panel,” and “Network” icons to bring back the classic versions.

Subheading 8: Use Classic File Explorer

Windows 11’s File Explorer has been redesigned, but you can access the classic version by using a keyboard shortcut. Press “Windows key + E” to open the File Explorer, then click on “Options.” Under “View,” select “Launch folder windows in a separate process” and “Restore previous folder windows at logon.”

Subheading 9: Change the Mouse Settings

If you find the mouse cursor too small or hard to see in Windows 11, you can change its appearance. Go to “Settings” and click on “Devices.” Under “Mouse,” click on “Additional mouse options.” In the Mouse Properties window, click on the “Pointers” tab. From there, you can select a theme that resembles the one in Windows 10.

Subheading 10: Use Classic Sounds

Windows 11 has introduced new sounds, which might not be to everyone’s liking. If you prefer the classic Windows sounds from Windows 10, you can download them online and use them in Windows 11. Go to “Settings” and click on “System.” Under “Sound,” click on “Advanced sound options.” Click on “App volume and device preferences.” Scroll down and click on “System sounds.” From there, click on “Browse” and select the classic Windows sounds you downloaded.

Final Thoughts

By following these simple tips, you can make your Windows 11 look like Windows 10. While the two versions may appear different at first glance, they both share the same core functionalities, and with a bit of tweaking, you can make Windows 11 feel like a familiar and comfortable operating system. So, enjoy exploring Windows 11 while maintaining your Windows 10 look and feel.

10 Steps to Make Windows 11 Look Like Windows 10

Microsoft’s revamped operating system Windows 11 has brought significant changes to its interface, which can be overwhelming for users accustomed to the classic Windows 10 layout. Fortunately, there is a way to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10 without sacrificing the newer version’s features and functionalities.

In this section, we provide you with ten easy-to-follow steps to help you transform your Windows 11 desktop to look and feel more like Windows 10, ensuring you don’t miss the familiar elements of the previous operating system.

Step 1: Start Menu

The most obvious difference between Windows 11 and 10 is the Start menu. In Windows 11, the redesigned Start menu is centered and simplified, reducing the number of familiar features. To make Windows 11 look like Windows 10, we recommend installing a third-party Start menu replacement, such as Open-Shell or Classic Shell.

Step 2: Taskbar

The taskbar’s centered position across Windows 11’s desktop can be confusing for Windows 10 fans. To revert to the traditional left-aligned taskbar, right-click on the taskbar, go to Taskbar Settings, and toggle off the “Center align taskbar” option.

Step 3: Search Bar

In Windows 11, the search bar is a standalone widget on the taskbar. However, in Windows 10, it’s integrated into the start menu. To bring back the search bar to the Start menu position in Windows 11, right-click on the taskbar, go to Search, and select “Show search icon.”

Step 4: Live Tiles

Windows 11 removes the Live Tiles feature on the Start menu, which was introduced in Windows 8.1. If you miss this feature, you can enable it on Windows 11 using a third-party software called Rainmeter.

Step 5: File Explorer

Windows 11 introduces a new styled File Explorer with rounded corners and a redesigned ribbon menu. To get back the classic File Explorer look in Windows 11, head to File Explorer’s View tab, click Options, go to the View tab, and select “Launch folder windows in a separate process.”

Step 6: Desktop Icons

Windows 11 removes support for old icon themes and replaces them with a new icon set called “Segoe Fluent Icons.” But you can bring back the classic icons by modifying the file extension. Right-click on the desktop, go to Personalize, go to Themes, click “Desktop icon settings,” and choose the classic theme.

Step 7: Notifications

Windows 11’s new notification center is sleeker and more intuitive. Users who prefer the Windows 10 notification center can install a third-party app like Winaero Tweaker to bring back the old notifications layout.

Step 8: System Sounds

Windows 11 has new system sounds with a futuristic tone, but Windows 10 users who enjoy the classic chime can download sound schemes online and install them by going to Sounds, and selecting “Change system sounds.”

Step 9: Task View

In Windows 11, the Task View icon and the virtual desktop switcher appear on the taskbar’s right corner. However, to replicate Windows 10’s Task View for multiple desktops, you need to press the Windows key + Tab.

Step 10: Registry Edit

For more advanced customization, you can tweak your Windows 11 registry to hide the new features and bring back Windows 10’s functionality. We recommend using the Windows Registry Editor with caution and backing up your registry before making any changes.

With these ten easy-to-follow steps, you can personalize your Windows 11 experience and make it look and feel more like Windows 10. So why not get started and enjoy the best of both worlds on your desktop?

How to Customize your System Settings

Customizing your system settings is an important aspect of tailoring your Windows 11 interface to your preference. Here are some of the key settings to adjust to achieve a Windows 10 look and feel:

Start Menu

The Windows 11 start menu may look significantly different compared to Windows 10, but with a few tweaks, you can make it look like its predecessor. One of the most noticeable differences is the placement of the pinned apps and their size. You can easily change the size by right-clicking on the app and selecting ‘resize’, and to change the layout from the new design to the classic design, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Start > and select ‘Collapsed’ under ‘Start Behaviors’.

Taskbar

The Windows 11 taskbar is centered by default, which is an immediate departure from the left-aligned taskbar in Windows 10. To move the taskbar to the left-hand side, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and toggle ‘Taskbar Alignment’ to match the position of the taskbar in Windows 10. Additionally, you can enable the ‘Use small taskbar’ option, which will reduce the size and make it look more like Windows 10.

File Explorer

In Windows 10, the File Explorer had a ribbon interface that made every tool and function easily accessible. Windows 11 has opted for a minimalist design and has hidden away some of these features by default. To get back the Windows 10 design, you can right-click on the ribbon and select ‘Show Tabs and Commands’, or alternatively, click View > Options > Change folder and search options > View and select ‘Always show menus’ using the classic menus.

System Icons

Windows 11 has introduced new system icons, such as the volume and network icons, which may not be to everyone’s liking. To change back to the Windows 10 icon design, right-click on the taskbar and select ‘Taskbar settings’. Under the ‘Notification area’ section, click on ‘Select Icons’ and choose the option ‘Turn System icons on or off’. Here you can toggle your preferred icons.

Virtual Desktops

Virtual Desktops is a new feature introduced in Windows 10, which allows users to create multiple desktops for different purposes and switch between them quickly. Windows 11 has also incorporated this feature but has moved its location. You can access it by pressing WINKEY + TAB or by clicking the Task View icon in your taskbar. You can also configure these settings under Settings > Multitasking.

Thanks for Reading!

I hope you found these tips on how to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10 useful. Remember, it’s all about personal preference and making your computer work for you. If you have any other tricks or tips, feel free to share them in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to stay up to date with the latest tech news and tutorials. Till we meet again, happy tweaking!