Hate Windows 11? Here’s how you can do more work like Windows 10

I wrote the original version of this post when Windows 11 was still under a year of age, after reading a tonne response from the initial adoption. I did not need to spend a lot of time in support forums and other community sites to hear a steady stream of criticism from those who were angry with the changes of Microsoft in Windows 10 user interfaces with which they became comfortable.

Since the original Windows 11 release, enough time has passed that some of those changes have become other nature. With that time, I have noticed that those complaints have somewhat melodious, but there are still many people who would like the old, familiar interfaces.

Also: Your entire Windows 11 upgrade guide

This is not a unique phenomenon, of course. Each new version of Windows brings its own stake of negative reactions from those who wonder why Microsoft felt necessary to change things without any clear reason. Windows 11, however, seems to have given that reaction to Uh … 11, especially with the decision to remove certain features by the power users.

Microsoft’s decision in the root Windows 11 of the problem is to release a large amount of heritage code and re -write the major features including taskbar, start menu and file explorer. In many cases the old code dated the Windows 95 era, and I am sure that there are program managers who have tortured on the powerpoint deck, to explain why they are understood from an architectural point of view.

Also: 7 Quick methods Windows 11 to make less annoying now

The good news is that Microsoft has responded to some response with some reactions that address some of the most prominent complaints. For those annoyance that have not yet been solved, there are often workarounds. In addition, a prosperous community of developers to restore the facilities that take Microsoft away is a prosperous community of creating utilities.

Reaction (some) leads to fix

With the help of two large feature updates (and some small changes given as part of the monthly update package), Microsoft has changed some of those design changes, so they are no longer very annoying. For example, version 22h2, the task manager option was restored to the shortcut menu that appears when you right-click on the taskbar. It also removed the floating search bar and improved the search options on the taskbar.

Also: This hidden Windows 11 Settings adds a ‘end task’ option for every task on your taskbar.

Recently, the file explorer found a very important design change in Windows 11, version 24h2. The Right-Click reference menu in the cut, copy, paste, name change, share, and delete the icon. Now it includes labels that make them easier to identify.

If you cannot use for the taskbar and start the button in the center of the screen, you can take them back to the left. But the single -top reaction for Windows 11 is the option to move the item taskbar above the lower part of the display from its location, as you can do in the previous Windows versions, and there is no indication that Microsoft is working on connecting that feature.

And then the start menu, which is probably the second largest source of complaints. Windows Insider is currently testing a major redesign of the Start menu that should come to the general public at the end of this year or early 2026. You can still not give the size of the start menu, but now you have the ability to scroll quickly through all the apps in category, grid, or list ideas, without using a separate menu. What is here that looks on my Windows Insider Test system.

There is a shortcut for him

In some cases, fixing a keyboard shortcut fixed for normal annoyance. Are you bake from the new, well -organized shortcut menu of the file explorer, which requires an additional click to enter the full menu? Microsoft added a show more option shortcut, but a shortcut that leaves you excess steps: place the shift key down as if you right-click.

And what about the decision to remove the ribbon from the file explorer? This expansion makes the pane and preview pane more difficult to show or hide, which now three menu are deep burials: see> Show> Details Paalas/Preview Pares.

Also: My favorite keyboard shortcut of all time (and it works on every browser)

There is also a shortcut for this, also: to show or hide the preview of Alt+P, and to do the same with the alt+shift+p detail pane. When you use those shortcuts, the muscles handle the memory.

Do you think the convenience of new widgets is annoying? It is quite easy to hide them. Settings> privatization> Go to the taskbar and flip the widget switch to the off position. (You can always reveal widgets pen using your keyboard shortcut: Windows + W.)

But some Windows 11 is not an easy fix in annoyance. If you want to take the taskbar to the top of the display or snap it on both sides, you are not going to find a solution in the official settings app. This is the place where those third-party apps come in handy.

Third-party adaptation apps

With correct equipment, you can undo the changes of microsoft and convert Windows 11 interface into some more familiarity, even the start menu can re -work in its Windows 7 appearance. Before starting, however, consider possible complications that you are giving yourself if you choose an option.

Also: 6 things that I always do after the establishment of Windows 11 – and why you should also do it

Because these utilities are trying to take tasks that are usually controlled by the operating system, it is likely that one of the monthly updates of Microsoft will cause the established version to prevent preventing from functioning properly until the developers release their own updates.

There is also a risk that they will be detected as malware, which can prevent them from functioning properly or block themselves from updating Windows. It was already with two popular adaptation devices last year.

If you are fine with those cavits, I can recommend these four options, two of which are completely independent:

• Explorerpatcher: This free, open source project allows you to replace the Windows 11 taskbar with Windows 10 version, disable Windows 11 reference menu and command bar into file explorer, and start the start menu and search box. The project has a complete list of facilities Wic,
• Open shell: For a long time, Windows users may remember a utility program called Classic Shell, whose original objective was to restore the Start menu on Windows 8. The project was released years ago, but a group of volunteers picked up the codebase and turned it into a free open shell. Its biggest claim for fame is the Windows 7 Start menu and the ability to restore the Windows Explorer toolbar.
• Start111: This commercial product of Stardock provides 30-day test; After that, you will need $ 6 for a single device or $ 15 pony for a license that works on five devices. Its adaptation options allow you to replace the Windows 11 Start menu with Windows 7 or Windows 10 version, move the taskbar to the top of the display, restore the taskbar reference menu, restore the file explorer to the ribbon, and more.
• Startback: The bold promise of this commercial tool ($ 5 for a single device, with exemption for additional installations) is “UNSWEEP (The) is from the Classic UI under the rug.” The list of tweaks includes the ability to pull and leave the items on the taskbar icon, improvement to start, file explorer and reference menu, and “lightweight styling and UI consistency”. Like Start11, it provides 30-day free testing.

Is there anything in your Windows 11 Annoyance List that Microsoft has not addressed? Leave a note in the comments and let’s see if we can find a solution.