Learning How to Personalize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 11

Windows 11 introduces a streamlined and contemporary user experience that is both invigorating and reassuring. On the other hand, the default Taskbar and Start Menu may not be suitable for everyone’s workflow or aesthetic tastes. The good news is that Microsoft provides users with a wide variety of choices to customize these fundamental components. This offers you the ability to customize your desktop to be as functional and aesthetically pleasing as you choose. This tutorial will teach you how to customize the Taskbar and Start Menu to look exactly as you want them to, regardless of whether you choose a minimalistic appearance or a layout that is centered on efficiency.

1. To Acquire an Understanding of the New Taskbar and Start Menu Design

Both the Taskbar and the Start Menu have been changed in Windows 11 to have a more organized and focused appearance. It is now the default position for icons to display in the middle, the Start button is now located in the middle, and the Start Menu itself has been updated to include a streamlined grid of pinned applications as well as a “Recommended” area for recent files.

There are people who prefer the classic left-aligned layout or who want greater control over what displays, despite the fact that this design has a contemporary feel to it. You may achieve a better balance between design and utility for your everyday routine by customizing these aspects.

2. The Taskbar Icons should be repositioned.

The icons on the Taskbar and the Start button are positioned in the middle by default; however, if you would rather have the traditional Windows appearance, you have the option to relocate them to the left.

You may do this by right-clicking on a vacant section of the Taskbar and selecting the Taskbar settings option. The drop-down menu that is located next to Taskbar alignment should be opened, and then the Left option should be selected.

When compared to earlier versions of Windows, this very little modification may have a significant impact on your experience.

3. Customize the Items on the Taskbar

In Windows 11, you have the ability to choose which icons will be shown on your Taskbar. The settings for the Taskbar will provide you with the ability to toggle several elements, including Search, Task View, Widgets, and Chat.

You have the option to deactivate features that you do not use regularly if you would like a more organized layout. As an example, a lot of users disable widgets or chat in order to keep the Taskbar focused on the most important tools and programs that are now operating.

4. Adding or removing apps that are pinned

When an application is pinned, it is a shortcut that stays displayed on the Taskbar even when it is not currently running. Select “Pin to taskbar” from the context menu that appears when you right-click an application on the Taskbar. Re-right-clicking the icon and selecting the option to “Unpin from taskbar” will allow you to remove it.

If you want to have rapid access to applications, you can also drag them straight from the Start Menu or the desktop to the Taskbar. Only the tools that you use the most should be pinned, since this will help you maintain organization and prevent clutter.

5. Customize the Icons on the System Tray

A number of icons for system and background applications, including Wi-Fi, battery, and sound, are stored in the System Tray, which is located on the right side of the Taskbar. This may be managed by going to Settings, then Personalization, then Taskbar, and finally Other system tray icons.

You have the ability to toggle which icons have a permanent appearance and which icons stay hidden in the overflow menu from this location. With this adjustment, it is much simpler to check only the most important aspects, such as the condition of the network or the volume control, without being distracted by anything that isn’t essential.

6. Modify the color and transparency of the taskbar.

Windows 11 provides you with a variety of subtle visual enhancements that enable you to customize the appearance of your Taskbar. To get a glass-like look for your Taskbar, go to Settings, then Personalization, and finally Colors. Once you are there, activate the Transparency effects.

You may also activate the Show accent color on Start and taskbar feature, which will allow you to match the color of your Taskbar with the color of your theme. You may give your desktop a professional and customized look that feels absolutely unique to you by choosing a color palette that is consistent throughout.

7. Make adjustments to the Taskbar’s size or location using registry tweaks.

You are still able to adjust the size of the Taskbar or move it to the top of the screen by using the Windows Registry, despite the fact that Windows 11 does not have any built-in scaling options.

To use the registry editor, press Windows and R, enter regedit, and then browse to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced is another name for this.

Construct or change a DWORD value that is referred to as TaskbarSi. Change it to:

It is 0 for tiny icons.
a default value of 1 for medium
Two for the larger icons
It is necessary to restart your computer or Windows Explorer in order to effect the modification once you have modified the setting.

Take note that registry updates should be performed with caution since making mistakes might have an impact on how the system behaves.

8. Modify the layout of the Start Menu

To exercise control over the contents of your Start Menu, go to the Settings menu, then choose Personalization, and finally select Start. A number of settings, including Show recently added applications, Most used apps, and Recently accessed things, are available for you to toggle.

In order to direct your attention just to the applications that you have pinned, you may deactivate the “Recommended items” feature. When you right-click on an item inside the Start Menu, you have the ability to rearrange it or remove it from the pin.

9. Pinned applications may be grouped and organized in the Start menu.

The pinned applications may be grouped together in Windows 11 for easy access. A folder may be created by simply dragging one application on top of another. You will then be able to rename the folder and relocate it to any location inside the grid.

This is an excellent method for organizing applications according to their respective categories, such as “Work,” “Design Tools,” or “Entertainment.” When you maintain the structure of your Start Menu, navigating becomes both more efficient and more natural.

10. Alter both the color and the theme of the Start Menu

If you want the color palette of the Start Menu to match the theme of your desktop as a whole, you may change it. Go to the Settings menu, then choose Personalization, then select Colors, and then select either Light, Dark, or Custom mode.

You have the ability to establish alternative themes for Windows and applications under the Custom folder. For instance, you may have a dark Taskbar with a bright app UI. Your setup will seem more individualized and professional as a result of this detail.

11. Include Folders and Shortcuts That Are Useful

Windows gives you the ability to add system folders straight to the Start Menu, which is useful if you want to have rapid access to certain directories. One may toggle several choices such as Documents, Downloads, Network, or File Explorer by going to Settings, then Personalization, then Start, and finally Folders.

Because they are located at the bottom of the Start Menu, these icons provide you with rapid access to folders that you use regularly, which helps you save time.

12. Utilize Tools Provided by Third Parties for More Advanced Customization

In the event that the customization options that are already incorporated into Windows are insufficient, third-party applications such as StartAllBack, ExplorerPatcher, or Start11 may restore the traditional functions of the Taskbar or offer further flexibility. The Taskbar may be moved to any side of the screen, icons can be resized in any way you like, and you can even return to a Start Menu similar to the one seen in Windows 10.

Always be sure to build a restore point before making significant modifications to the user interface, and make sure to only obtain such tools from reliable sources.

Windows 11 strikes the ideal blend between contemporary aesthetics and user control over the operating system. You can make your Taskbar and Start Menu seem more streamlined, more organized, and more specific to your preferences with just a few simple tweaks. You may customize your workspace to better reflect your style and productivity by making adjustments such as pinning critical applications, altering color schemes, and rearranging layouts.
Your computer experience will be smoother, more efficient, and more fun on a daily basis if you install a desktop that has been tailored to your liking. It is not just aesthetically pleasing.

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