Just a couple of months earlier than the tip of free help, Windows 10 continues to be essentially the most broadly used working system model from Microsoft: Almost half of all Windows PCs are nonetheless working it.
While you’ll be able to depend companies among the many crowd that is perhaps detest to vary, the actual fact is that many customers are simply very glad with Windows 10 they usually aren’t in any hurry to undertake a brand new manner of doing issues with Windows 11. There continues to be no “killer application” that may make the case for switching from Windows 10 to 11.
On the opposite, Microsoft just lately cancelled one of the necessary new function of Windows 11, specifically help for Android apps on PCs.
Still, as soon as Windows 10 hits finish of service, it can grow to be more and more dangerous for customers to stay with the OS, beloved because it is perhaps.
Further studying: Windows 10 will hit end of life in 2025. Here’s what to expect
The excellent news is that there are myriad methods to imitate the Windows 10 expertise on Windows 11. Here are 9 free apps that show that time.
Try out Windows 11
You can solely actually choose what Windows 11 has in retailer for you and the way you’ll deal with it after you have it and use it. If you might be at the moment nonetheless working with Windows 10 and your pc fulfils the system necessities for Windows 11, you’ll be able to merely swap to the brand new model by way of the Windows replace.
Microsoft will even create a brief backup copy that you should use to return to your Windows 10 with all settings, knowledge, and packages for 10 days. After these one and a half weeks, the “Windows.old” backup folder on the system partition is routinely deleted.
However, expertise exhibits that the “Revert” operate doesn’t at all times work reliably. To check out Windows 11 with none worries, we advocate backing up the entire system partition.
Windows 11 like Windows 10
In apply, nevertheless, the principle factor is to adapt the present system with Windows 11 to the acquainted Windows 10 when it comes to operation, features, and look.
In addition to the “Windows 10 style”, the Start11 software program supplies different ready-made profiles that make your personal system seem like an earlier model of Windows.
Foundry
Start11 customizes your system to the model of both Windows 7 or 10 with only a few mouse clicks. This applies particularly to the basic Start menu and the features of the sooner variations, which Microsoft has now cancelled.
After set up, choose the model choice for Windows 7 or 10 in this system, then click on on “Start icon” within the part bar on the left and swap off the central positioning within the taskbar.
Then search the web for the desktop background of the earlier system within the native decision of your monitor utilizing the key phrase “Windows 10 wallpaper,” save the picture file to your onerous drive, and insert it because the background. This is completed shortly, and Start11 additionally provides many different settings to customise your PC.
Startallback is free and in addition simple to make use of; right here you’ll be able to select between three kinds for Windows 7, 10, and 11. Regardless of this choice, the format of the taskbar and Windows Explorer may be outlined and lots of different issues may be modified.
Another free device for customizing is Open Shell Menu. The Explorer Patcher, which you’ll be able to entry by way of “Properties (Explorer Patcher)” within the Start menu, can be helpful.

Explorer Patcher customizes Windows Explorer, the taskbar, and extra in a wide range of methods. This additionally contains the power to by no means have apps mix in your taskbar and bringing again basic Windows 10 context menu.
Jared Newman / Foundry
The software program restores a lot of choices from earlier variations of the Microsoft file supervisor, together with the basic context menu, which provides all entries instantly and never simply by clicking on “Show more options.” Alternatively, Windows 11 Classic Context Menu additionally does this.
Finally, Winaero Tweaker combines effectively over 100 instruments and settings in a single interface, together with many for customizing the desktop, taskbar, Windows Explorer, and context menu. An in depth description would transcend the area out there right here.
Windows themes and the Windhawk mods
Windows “themes” are compilations of desktop wallpapers and modified layouts of home windows, mouse pointers, icons, and extra: Such themes present a totally new Windows model.
Windows 11 itself solely supplies a couple of themes underneath “Settings > Personalization > Themes;” Microsoft provides extra packages by way of the hyperlink to the Store (search “themes”) and on the internet. After downloading, you’ll be able to set up these theme packs by double-clicking on them and handle them underneath “Themes.”
If you wish to use third-party themes, first take away the set up lock with Ultra UX Theme Patcher.
As the device has a deep affect on the system, we advocate making a system backup beforehand.
It can be necessary to solely obtain themes from reliable sources. Themes within the type of archive information should first be unpacked after which copied to the listing “C:WindowsResourcesThemes” along with subfolders. They can then be chosen within the Settings app.

On the Windhawk market, builders present so-called mods with which customers can customise their Windows computer systems in line with their needs.
IDG
In addition to themes, Windhawk has established itself as a market for so-called mods, which can be used to customise Windows in a wide range of methods. After putting in the software program, you’ll be able to seek for mods on the consumer interface and choose them by way of “Details.”
The explanations and notes are necessary, so learn them fastidiously. Add the person mods to the system by clicking on “Install -> Accept the risk (Install Mod).”
Then choose the specified choice or operate within the “Settings” tab and save the settings.
RevertSV: Windows 10 completely imitated
RevertSV guarantees a contemporary Windows 11 with the feel and appear of Windows 10. The developer has already made all of the customizations and provides the system as a ready-to-use ISO picture.
However, RevertSV isn’t appropriate for productive use as a result of U.S. settings. However, it may be tried out in a digital machine with Vmware Player or virtualization software program.
The present model of RevertSV is predicated on Windows 11 model 21H2, a model based mostly on Windows 11 24H2 is deliberate. In a YouTube video, the developer exhibits what the system appears to be like like underneath the hood utilizing among the features.

Do you bear in mind the sooner Windows picture show? It’s a lot better for shortly viewing and shopping by way of a group of photos than the later apps.
IDG
This article initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.