How do I make Windows 11 taskbar look like Windows 10?

How do I make Windows 11 taskbar look like Windows 10?
I recently upgraded to Windows 11 and noticed that the taskbar looks quite different from what I was used to in Windows 10. The new design is sleek and modern, but I’m finding it a bit difficult to navigate. I miss the familiarity and functionality of the Windows 10 taskbar, including the size, placement, and layout. Is there a way to customize the Windows 11 taskbar to make it look and feel more like what I had in Windows 10? I’d like to restore some of those features and the overall look to make my transition easier. What steps can I take to achieve this?
5 Answers

Mixing simplicity with effectiveness, I transitioned my Windows 11 taskbar to mimic Windows 10:
- Access settings by right-clicking on the taskbar.
- Adjust the taskbar alignment to the left.
- Download and install ‘Taskbar11,’ a free tool for fine-tuning.
- Open Taskbar11 settings and alter icon spacing, size, and location.
- Use system settings for more tweaks on transparency and aesthetic customization.

For those who prefer a hands-on approach, here’s a blend of built-in settings and external customization:
- Open the Taskbar settings by right-clicking the taskbar.
- Change the alignment to the left.
- Download and install software like ‘Open-Shell.’ This tool allows further taskbar customization to reflect Windows 10’s style.
- After installation, go to Open-Shell settings, alter the start menu to look like Windows 10, and adjust the taskbar texture, color, and icon sizes.
- Beyond software, consider changing taskbar transparency and aesthetic choices available in Windows 11.

When faced with this challenge myself, I discovered these effective steps:
- Right-click on the desktop and select ‘Personalize.’
- In the Personalization settings, go to ‘Taskbar.’
- Find the ‘Taskbar behaviors’ section in the Taskbar settings.
- Change the ‘Taskbar alignment’ from ‘Center’ to ‘Left.’
- Install third-party software like ‘ExplorerPatcher,’ which is free and helps tweak taskbar settings more thoroughly.
- After installing ExplorerPatcher, explore its settings menu to make the taskbar icons smaller and move them to the left.
- Adjust transparency and color until achieving the desired Windows 10 look.

Modifying the taskbar on Windows 11 to resemble Windows 10 involves a blend of native settings adjustments and third-party software. Immediately after upgrading, I started by right-clicking on the taskbar and opting for ‘Taskbar settings.’ In those settings, adjusting the alignment to the left got me closer to the familiar Windows 10 layout. The real game-changing tool was ‘Start11,’ which I downloaded and used to transform the overall aesthetics. Its user-friendly interface allowed me to match icon sizes, taskbar positioning, and replicate the clean, familiar Windows 10 appearance.

To make your Windows 11 taskbar look like Windows 10, you can follow these steps:
- Right-click on the taskbar and select ‘Taskbar settings.’
- Scroll down to find the ‘Taskbar behaviors’ section.
- Change the ‘Taskbar alignment’ from ‘Center’ to ‘Left.’
- Download and install the ‘StartIsBack’ or ‘StartAllBack’ tool. Both can customize the taskbar further.
- Once installed, navigate to the tool’s settings and select the ‘Windows 10 style.’
- Further adjust settings such as icon size and taskbar color to match your desired look.