Microsoft has made loads of adjustments to the Start menu and taskbar over the previous few years. On each Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Start menu is now full of adverts, “suggestions,” and search outcomes for Bing — not simply the information in your laptop. On Windows 11, Microsoft made massive adjustments to the taskbar, and whereas some beloved options like taskbar labels and drag and drop are lastly again, you’ll be able to’t transfer the taskbar to a different fringe of your display screen — and Microsoft has no plans to allow you to achieve this.But these are Windows PCs we’re speaking about — not iPads. If you need a extra streamlined, traditional Start menu or a taskbar that allows you to transfer it wherever you want, you may get it. I’ve performed the digging for the very best utilities on the market.That stated, I personally spend loads of time utilizing Windows PCs with the default settings. I like to grasp what the typical PC person is experiencing. And let me say: The Start menu and taskbar are tremendous, actually, as they’re. If you’re pleased with them, depart them be! But for customers who wish to go outdoors the field and make issues work in a different way, learn on.Looking for extra helpful Windows suggestions and tips? My free Windows Intelligence e-newsletter delivers all the very best Windows suggestions straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a $10 worth) only for subscribing!Built-in choices can save the dayYou don’t at all times have to show to third-party instruments. There are quite a lot of helpful choices buried in Windows itself to handle some frequent taskbar and Start menu complaints.Windows 11’s October 2023 replace restored the taskbar labels setting; now you can see buttons with the title of every window in your taskbar as a substitute of simply software icons, if you happen to favor. To allow this on Windows 11, right-click an empty spot on the taskbar, choose “Taskbar settings,” and also you’ll discover an choice to by no means mix taskbar buttons and labels. That possibility has been a part of Windows 10’s taskbar settings all alongside, too. On Windows 10, you’ll be able to transfer your taskbar to any fringe of the display screen you want with out third-party software program. Just right-click an empty spot on the taskbar, choose “Taskbar settings,” and alter the “Taskbar location on screen” possibility right here.Windows 11 places taskbar icons within the center by default, however you’ll be able to transfer them again to the left. That’s another choice that you just’ll discover within the Taskbar Settings window. (However, if you wish to put the Start button on the left facet of your taskbar and the applying icons within the center, that’s when you’ll want a third-party app like Start11 or ExplorerPatcher.) Finally, if the one factor that bothers you concerning the Start menu is the built-in Bing search, you’ll be able to disable Bing within the Start menu with a registry hack.A extra polished Start menu alternativeThe premier Start menu alternative for Windows is Stardock’s Start11. Despite the title, Start11 works on each Windows 10 and Windows 11. Also, regardless of the title, Start11 doesn’t simply supply a alternative Start menu: it gives some taskbar enhancements, too.If you’re in search of a sophisticated Start menu expertise, that is undoubtedly the most suitable choice. It’s full of options. For instance, you’ll be able to select from all kinds of Start menu designs, together with one that appears just like the one in Windows 7.And, if you search the Start menu, it’s going to simply search your native laptop by default. (These Start menus gained’t present you “suggestions” for apps and different issues Microsoft might want you to put in, both.) On Windows 11, you should use Start11 to maneuver the taskbar to the highest of the display screen, resize the taskbar to make it bigger or smaller, or put the Start button on the left of your taskbar and depart the applying launcher icons within the center.The solely massive lacking possibility is the power to maneuver the taskbar to the left or proper edges of the display screen on Windows 11 — it’s high or backside solely. (I’ve a trick for Windows 11 customers in search of a vertical taskbar later!)Stardock simply launched Start11 v2 with quite a lot of new options like new Start menu designs, the power to pin information and folders on to the taskbar, and tabs and teams for organizing shortcuts in your Start menu.You can attempt Start11 totally free for 30 days. If you wish to keep it up after that, you’ll must spend a couple of dollars — costs begin at $6.99 to make use of Start11 on a single PC. Chris Hoffman, IDG
Start11 gives loads of completely different Start menu designs, from Windows 7-style menus to scrub, modern-looking layouts.
An amazing free alternativeNot everybody desires to spend cash on a Start menu alternative, after all. If you’re in search of a free various, I like to recommend the open-source Open-Shell. It’s primarily based on the code from Classic Shell, an older Start menu alternative for Windows. It doesn’t have as many fancy menu designs as Stardock’s Start11 or wherever close to as many further options, however it’s undoubtedly a succesful Start menu.After putting in it, clicking the Start button or urgent the Windows key will open the Open-Shell Start menu. You can select from a number of completely different designs — all of which date again to the Windows 7 period or earlier.When you search, Open-Shell will search solely your functions and the information in your laptop — not Bing or something on-line. You can set up skins and tweak quite a lot of different settings by right-clicking your Start button and choosing “Settings” after putting in it. Chris Hoffman, IDG
Open-Shell’s Start menu choices are straight out of the Windows 7 period.
Restoring misplaced taskbar featuresI’ve grow to be an enormous fan of ExplorerPatcher on Windows 11. This free, open-source software enables you to get a Windows-10-style taskbar on Windows 11. You can transfer the taskbar to the left or proper fringe of your display screen and have the vertical taskbar expertise Windows supplied for many years — one which was misplaced within the shuffle on the way in which to Windows 11.In my testing, ExplorerPatcher labored properly with Start11 and Open-Shell. So, you should use it alongside a type of two Start menu replacements to unlock most customization choices for each your Start menu and taskbar.ExplorerPatcher additionally has quite a lot of different choices. It has its personal climate widget for the taskbar — one which reveals solely the climate, not the climate and a bunch of viral information tales and inventory value actions.Warning: Windows updates have damaged ExplorerPatcher up to now. ExplorerPatcher is tweaking Windows at a deep degree in an unsupported means. If you put in ExplorerPatcher, you could sooner or later signal into your PC to seek out that the Start menu doesn’t work or the taskbar doesn’t open, and you might have to troubleshoot the issue — for instance, by booting into Safe Mode and uninstalling ExplorerPatcher. (Here’s the right way to boot into Safe Mode.)But if you happen to’re one of many many individuals who wish to transfer your taskbar to the left or proper fringe of the display screen on Windows 11, ExplorerPatcher is the best choice. (Using Windows 10? Good information — this feature is in-built, and you will discover it in your regular taskbar settings.)If you’d prefer to dive in, obtain and set up ExplorerPatcher. You may see a Windows SmartScreen warning that claims this system is “unrecognized” to Microsoft. You should settle for the warning to proceed. (While I don’t suggest skipping clear warnings in case your antivirus says there may be malware current, this sort of message is a little bit completely different. It’s an indication you’re going off the overwhelmed path in downloading one thing, not essentially a sign of malware.)If your essential goal is to maneuver your Windows 11 taskbar, then after putting in it, right-click some empty area in your taskbar and choose “Properties.” On the Taskbar settings web page, set “Taskbar style” to “Windows 10” and alter the “Primary taskbar location on screen” to no matter fringe of the display screen you favor: left, proper, high, or backside. Then, click on “Restart File Explorer” on the backside of the window. You’ll discover extra different details about utilizing ExplorerPatcher in this system’s official documentation — or you’ll be able to simply dig via the properties window and search for fascinating settings.One last item: On Windows 11, the Windows Copilot icon doesn’t seem if you choose a Windows 10-style taskbar. To use Copilot, press Windows+C. Chris Hoffman, IDG
ExplorerPatcher lets you will have a vertical taskbar on Windows 11 — one thing that was constructed into earlier variations of Windows.
The recreation of cat and mouse continuesOne of the good issues about Windows is that you should use third-party software program to customise your system — even when Microsoft disapproves. One problem is that Microsoft is now adjustments trendy variations of Windows so repeatedly that issues can break — and people third-party software builders must sustain.It can really feel like a little bit of a cat and mouse recreation, and it’s — however at the very least we get to play. I’d somewhat have the sport than use a platform that will not allow us to get our arms soiled.Get much more Windows insights, suggestions, and tips with my Windows Intelligence e-newsletter — three issues to attempt each Friday. Plus, get free copies of Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a $10 worth) for signing up.
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