While Windows 11 supplies a fantastic sufficient out of the field expertise—horrible new activity bar apart—it handles so significantly better after tweaking only a handful of settings to make it really feel extra just like the Windows of yore.
No, I’m not speaking about making Windows 11 look like Windows 10 via an intensive overhaul (although in case you’re a Windows veteran that’s value doing) or tinkering with the new Copilot AI presently infiltrating up to date Windows 11 PCs. I’m speaking about quick, easy modifications that enhance the texture of the working system, flip off annoying advertisements, scale back the info you ship to Microsoft, and extra. Better but, you are able to do all of them in beneath 5 minutes—one thing I did mere weeks in the past after I wanted to pick up a Windows 11 laptop for some journey.
Here are 5 Windows 11 settings value altering instantly, with an added bonus on the finish.
1. Move the Start button to the left nook
What can I say, I’m a traditionalist. I perceive Microsoft’s want to revamp Windows 10’s interface to extra intently mirror the type of Macs and Chromebooks—legions of youngsters get schooled on these, in spite of everything—however Windows 11’s shifting taskbar icons drive me batty. I need mousing over to the Start menu to be muscle reminiscence, not yet one more activity I’ve to have a look at and mentally course of.
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Fortunately, Microsoft makes it simple to maneuver the Start menu again to the left-hand nook. Simply open the Start menu and head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. You’ll see a discipline labeled Taskbar alignment with a drop-down menu. Change the drop-dox menu from Center to Left.
Boom! Onto the following.
2. Turn off annoying notifications
Next, it’s time to show off these annoying pop-up notifications. Windows 11 itself spawns some, however the worst offenders are third-party apps, particularly in case your laptop computer or desktop got here preloaded with bloatware. Making the distractions cease is easy.
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Head to Start > System > Notifications. You can flip notifications off universally in case you want. I favor to work via the listing manually, leaving notifications on for crucial instruments like Slack, Discord, and my antivirus software. (If my AV scanner needs to shout about one thing, I need to hear it!) Either means, this menu cures many complications.
3. Turn off Microsoft advertisements
That segues neatly into the following tip. Keep scrolling down past the underside of the listing of apps that may ship you notifications. There, you’ll see a few further containers that relate to Windows 11 itself offering “tips and suggestions” on the best way to use your PC. If you recognize your means round properly sufficient, deselect the Offer strategies on how I can arrange my machine and Get ideas and strategies after I use Windows containers. I favor to depart the Show me the Windows welcome expertise… choice checked so I’m notified of recent options when a giant replace drops.
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We’re not carried out but, although. If you don’t like seeing Microsoft promotions pop up in your Settings app, head to Start > Settings > Privacy & safety > General. Disabling “Show me suggested content in the Settings app” does the trick, although it’s possible you’ll need to flip off all these choices.
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Finally, head to Settings > Personalization > Device Usage. The choices right here inform Microsoft how you utilize your pc so Windows 11 can present tailor-made suggestions for apps, web sites, Office 365 trials, and extra. Turn all of them off in case you’re not thinking about your $100+ copy of Windows 11 upselling you on extra Microsoft providers.
There are different locations Microsoft promotions lurk similar to the attractive lock screens supplied by Bing Images, however tweaking this handful of settings eradicates probably the most irritating ones.
4. Change your default browser
Microsoft Edge is fairly darned good, really, however in case you’re a diehard Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or Brave person, switching your default browser is simple. (Well, these days).
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After downloading and putting in the browser of your selection, it ought to ask if you wish to make it the default. Do so, duh. But in case you missed your probability throughout setup, navigate to Settings > Apps > Default apps, discover the title of your browser within the listing, and click on on it. A “Make <browser name> your default browser” banner with a Set default button on the high of the web page does the trick.
5. Declutter the taskbar
Yep, Windows 11’s nerfed taskbar sucks and Microsoft stuffs it to the brim with icons and options you most likely have no real interest in. Make it simpler on the eyes and reclaim some house by heading to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and deselecting any of the taskbar gadgets you’ll by no means use. Adios, Widgets and Teams Chat.
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While we’re on the subject, spending $5 on Stardock’s Start11 or StartIsBack is properly value it. The packages provide granular choices that develop the look and performance of the taskbar and Start menu alike, making it loads simpler to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10. They’re past the scope of this text however deserve a shout-out.
Bonus: Dark mode, child!
Finally, an non-obligatory private choice. Some of us like watching black textual content on white screens all day. Others, like me, favor to not sear their retinas. So, the very very first thing I all the time do with a brand new Windows set up is activate darkish mode, a choice that carries over into a number of apps when you’ve set it.
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Simply head to Settings > Personalization > Colors and search for a discipline known as Choose your mode. Change the drop-down menu from Light to Dark. Your eyes will thanks.
That’s about it for this rundown of fast Windows 11 settings to vary instantly. This rabbit gap goes as deep as you need it, although. Check out our guides to 10 Windows 11 tips and tricks we use to customize our PCs, 10 obscure Windows features that will blow your mind, and 7 frustrating Windows 11 annoyances (and how to fix them) to make your PC your individual!