How to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10

Even though Windows 11 is more powerful than its predecessor, Windows 10, sometimes it can be difficult to get used to a new Windows look. If you'd like to make your Windows 11 look like Windows 10, read this article and follow our tips.

Relocate the Start menu

In Windows 11 the Start menu is relocated from its traditional taskbar's left side to the center of the taskbar. If you want to have a Windows 10 layout, follow these steps:

• Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
• Navigate to Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors.
• In the Taskbar alignment menu, change the drop-dox menu from Center to Left.

Change the Start menu design

If you'd like to change the Start menu design, you'll need to use a third-party program, such as Open-Shell, StartAllBack, or Stardock's Start 11.

Remove the new icons and change the old ones

You can also remove some new icons and widgets in Windows 11. To do so, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar items.

Use the toggle next to each one to switch them off. Note that if you turn off the new Search icon, you won't be able to access Search by clicking a field or icon on the taskbar. You will have to use the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.

To change some of the old icons to their older look, follow these instructions:

• Download a Windows 10 icon pack from the internet and place your icons in a folder.
• Go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icons. 
• Click on the icon you want to change and select the Change icon option. Select the icon from the folder and click Open.

You can change the icons of the shortcuts and folders. Simply right-click the icon, open Properties, go to the Customize tab, select Change icon, and choose the icon from your folder. 

Disable rounded corners

Do you like the rounded corners of the windows introduced in Windows 11? If not, you can revert them to square corners by simply turning off hardware graphics acceleration or disabling your graphics hardware. Both options are not great since they will slow down your PC and the first one will also switch off some important visual features.

However, if you'd like to disable your graphics hardware, go to Device Manager, then expand Display Adapters and right-click on the display adapter listed. Choose Disable Device and wait for a couple of seconds.

Change the wallpaper

To have the full Windows 10 experience, you can change the wallpaper to the old one. Download it and then right-click the image and select Set as desktop background.