Customizing Windows 11

Changes in Windows 11

Windows 11 is largely similar to and compatible with Windows 10. In most cases, an upgrade can be performed, which is similar to installing a Feature Update. Already in these Windows 10 updates (Feature Updates), the appearance of Windows was gradually adjusted and moved closer to a modern look. System settings are being transferred from the Control Panel to the Settings app.

In Windows 11, this change is more radical, and at first glance, the system may look different. Microsoft, of course, claims that it is easier to control, more intuitive, faster, and therefore more productive.

In the first version of Windows 11, a number of features related to appearance and control were removed. But gradually, Microsoft is bringing some back as part of Feature Updates. Major updates now come out only once a year (in the second half of the year). Currently, the latest (quite recent) version is 23H2.

The most visible change is in the Taskbar (main panel). The Taskbar is a bar (by default located at the bottom edge of the screen) where the Start button, icons of pinned and running applications, and on the right side, the System Tray (notification area) are located. The Start menu has moved to the center of the screen, and its appearance has changed when opened.

The changes from Windows 10 are not only in appearance, but various functions have been improved. For example, integration with Microsoft 365 cloud services, support for new hardware, Task Manager, touch control, and Notepad. Windows 11 also tries to increase security. Many security features are also found in Windows 10, but in Windows 11, they are turned on by default.

Setting up and using Windows 11

Customizing the Start Menu

• Settings - Personalization - Start
• we can easily adjust the Start menu display
• an interesting option is Folders, where we can choose folders that will appear at the bottom next to the power button

Displaying all icons in the System Tray

• Settings - Personalization - Taskbar (or right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings)
• Other system tray icons - turn off Hidden icon menu

Displaying names on the taskbar and ungrouping applications

From Windows 11 23H2 version, we can set this directly in Windows (otherwise a special application like ExplorerPatcher is needed).

• Settings - Personalization - Taskbar (or right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings)
• Taskbar behaviors - Combine Taskbar buttons and hide labels

Displaying seconds on the clock in the taskbar

Requires Windows 11 22H2 and update KB5028185 (otherwise a special application like ExplorerPatcher is needed).

• Settings - Personalization - Taskbar (or right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings)
• Show seconds in system tray clock (uses more power)

Desktop icon layout

In Windows 11, the behavior is the same as in Windows 10. Depending on the display size, the system sets the magnification. This mainly applies to laptops. When we have a monitor connected, 100% is used. But when we disconnect, it's set to 125% to make everything well visible on the smaller display. We can manually change the magnification setting.

When switching occurs, it can cause icons to be scattered on the desktop. The solution is to place icons only in a certain area from the top left corner. There are also applications that save the icon layout and we can restore it later (ReIcon v2.0).

Running an application as a different user

The context menu, when right-clicking on an application, now has some options hidden and we need to display them.

• hold the Shift key and right-click
• select Show more options
• now Run as different user will be offered

Windows Hello for Business

If a user has set up login using Windows Hello for Business in Windows 10, then after upgrading to Windows 11, it (probably) needs to be newly activated.

• Settings - Accounts- Sign-in options

Connecting to a wireless display (Miracast) - Connect to Wireless Display

The function is available in various ways

• press the keys Windows + K
• click on the settings icon (battery, sound, and network) in the System Tray - select Cast
• Settings - System - Display - Multiple displays - Connect to a wireless display - Connect

Customizing Windows 11 using ExplorerPatcher application

There are applications (or various procedures) that allow using certain classic behaviors or displays in Windows 11, as they were available in Windows 7 or Windows 10. Similar applications existed for Windows 10 too (like Classic Shell).

For Windows 11, a popular Open Source application is ExplorerPatcher. The application modifies the system, so it can cause certain problems or crashes. It's safer to use a clean system. But for those who aren't comfortable with the Windows 11 environment, they can try it.

The installer can be downloaded from GitHub ep_setup. Installation is through a simple wizard. To access the settings, right-click on the Taskbar and select Properties.

The application allows you to set up the Start Menu, Taskbar, System Tray, File Explorer, and more. We can adjust icons in the System Tray for network, sound, clock, etc. Change the Start Menu to Windows 10 style, modify the context menu, window switching style, and many other small details.

Examples of ExplorerPatcher settings

A few items from the settings (complete description Wiki - All features):

• Taskbar - Taskbar style: Windows 10 - taskbar as in Windows 10
• Taskbar - Combine taskbar icons on primary taskbar: Never combine - display names on the taskbar and don't group applications
• System tray - Show seconds in the clock - display seconds on the clock in the taskbar
• System tray - When clicking a system icon in the Windows 10 taskbar system tray, open - which appearance opens for network, sound, clock settings, etc.
• File Explorer - Disable Win11 context menu - always open the full context menu
• File Explorer - Control Interface: Windows 10 Ribbon - top bar in file explorer with Windows 10 options
• Start menu - Start menu style: Windows 10 - we can switch to the classic Start Menu
• Windows Switcher - Windows 10 switcher - we can switch the style of window switching (Alt + Tab)

Quick Launch Toolbar

One of the other things that ExplorerPatcher adds is the ability to create a Toolbar on the taskbar (as was possible in Windows 7 and 10).

Those who were used to (probably from Windows 7) using the Quick Launch Toolbar with shortcuts to certain applications can create it again.

• right-click on the Taskbar and select Toolbar - New toolbar
• open the default path (or we can use our own) %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
• select the Quick Launch folder and click on Select Folder

A new toolbar will appear on the taskbar. If we right-click on this toolbar, we can turn off the display of text and title (Show Text, title) and display small icons (View - Small icons).