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Unlocking Nostalgia: Transforming Windows 11 into Windows 10

11 min

Are you one of those Windows users who have upgraded to Windows 11 but are finding it difficult to adjust to the new interface? Are you missing the familiar look and feel of Windows 10? If yes, then don’t worry, you are not alone. Many users find it challenging to switch to a new operating system because they are used to the old interface. Fortunately, there are ways to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10, and we will show you how in this guide.

How to Make Windows 11 Start Menu Look Like Windows 10

The Start menu in Windows 11 is quite different from its predecessor, Windows 10. If you prefer the classic look of the Windows 10 Start menu, there are several ways to bring it back.

One of the easiest ways to make the Windows 11 Start menu look like Windows 10 is to enable the “Start menu” option in the Taskbar settings. To do this, right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Then, scroll down to the “Taskbar behaviors” section and toggle the switch for “Start menu” to the on position.

Another option is to use a third-party Start menu replacement tool. There are many such tools available online, and they offer a range of customization options. Some popular Start menu replacement tools include Classic Shell, StartIsBack, and Open Shell.

If you decide to use a third-party tool, download and install it on your computer. Once installed, open the tool’s settings and select the Windows 10 Start menu style. You can also customize the Start menu’s appearance, including its color and layout, to match the Windows 10 look.

Finally, you can also try manually customizing the Windows 11 Start menu to resemble the Windows 10 version. Right-click on the Start button and select “Settings.” Then, select “Personalization” and “Start.” Here, you can choose to hide the app icons, enable the full screen Start menu, or change the background color to match the Windows 10 Start menu.

By following these steps, you can easily make the Windows 11 Start menu look like Windows 10, providing you with a familiar interface and making it easier to navigate the operating system.

How to Make Windows 11 Look Like Windows 10

If you have recently upgraded to Windows 11 but find it difficult to adjust to the new interface, there are ways to make it look and feel like Windows 10. Here are some steps you can take to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10:

  1. Change the theme

Windows 11 comes with a new theme that is quite different from the theme of Windows 10. However, you can easily change the theme to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10. Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize.” From here, you can choose the Windows 10 theme or select a custom theme that looks like Windows 10.

  1. Customize the taskbar

The taskbar in Windows 11 has a new design that can be overwhelming for some users. However, you can customize the taskbar to look like the Windows 10 taskbar. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” From here, you can choose to align the taskbar icons to the left, enable the small taskbar icons, and enable the taskbar button for the desktop.

  1. Bring back the old Start menu

The Start menu in Windows 11 has a new design that is quite different from the Start menu in Windows 10. However, you can bring back the old Start menu using third-party software such as Classic Shell or StartIsBack.

  1. Customize the desktop icons

The icons on the Windows 11 desktop are different from the icons in Windows 10. However, you can customize the desktop icons to look like the Windows 10 icons. Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize.” From here, select “Themes” and then “Desktop icon settings.” You can then choose the icons you want to use.

  1. Change the File Explorer view

The File Explorer in Windows 11 has a new design that can be overwhelming for some users. However, you can change the File Explorer view to look like the File Explorer in Windows 10. Open File Explorer and select “View” from the menu bar. From here, choose “Options” and then “Change folder and search options.” Under the “View” tab, select “Apply to Folders” and then click “OK.”

By following these steps, you can make Windows 11 look and feel like Windows 10. This can make it easier to adjust to the new operating system and provide you with a familiar interface.

How to Make Windows 11 Taskbar Look Like Windows 10

If you’re used to the Windows 10 taskbar and find the new Windows 11 taskbar layout confusing or inconvenient, there’s a way to make your Windows 11 taskbar look like Windows 10. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
  2. In the Taskbar settings, select “Taskbar behaviors.”
  3. Under “Taskbar behaviors,” toggle off the “Taskbar button grouping” option.
  4. Next, go back to the main Taskbar settings and select “Personalization.”
  5. In Personalization, select “Colors.”
  6. Scroll down to “Choose your color” and select “Custom.”
  7. In the “Custom” color options, set the “Choose your default Windows mode” option to “Light.”
  8. Under “Choose your accent color,” select “Custom.”
  9. In the “Custom” accent color options, set the “Red,” “Green,” and “Blue” sliders to “0” (or whichever color values match the Windows 10 taskbar color).
  10. Finally, toggle off the “Transparency effects” option under “Effects.”

After completing these steps, your Windows 11 taskbar should now look and behave like the Windows 10 taskbar. This will include having individual taskbar buttons for each open window and having the taskbar icons align to the left of the screen.

How to Make Windows 11 Corner Icon Flyouts Look Like Windows 10

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and miss the look of the corner icon flyouts from Windows 10, there’s a way to bring back that classic design. Here’s how to make your Windows 11 corner icon flyouts look like Windows 10:

  1. Right-click on the Windows desktop and select “Display settings.”
  2. Scroll down to the bottom and click on “Advanced display settings.”
  3. Click on “Display adapter properties for Display 1” (assuming you only have one monitor).
  4. In the new window that opens, click on the “List All Modes” button.
  5. Select the resolution that ends with “(recommended)” and click “OK.”
  6. Right-click on the Windows desktop and select “Personalize.”
  7. Click on “Colors” in the left-hand menu.
  8. Toggle off “Transparency effects.”
  9. Scroll down and select “Choose your accent color.”
  10. Select “Windows 10” from the dropdown menu.
  11. Right-click on the Windows taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
  12. Toggle on “Use small taskbar buttons.”
  13. Scroll down and toggle on “Combine taskbar buttons.”
  14. Scroll down to the “Notification area” section and toggle off “Show badges on taskbar buttons.”
  15. Finally, restart your computer to apply the changes.

After following these steps, your corner icon flyouts should resemble those from Windows 10. Note that this will also change the appearance of other aspects of Windows 11, such as the Start menu and Action Center.

How to Get the Windows 11 Look Back

If you recently upgraded to Windows 11 and miss the look and feel of the previous version of Windows, there are some ways to bring it back. Here’s how to get the Windows 11 look back:

  1. Customize the Start Menu: Windows 11’s Start Menu has a centered layout with app icons and recent files. However, you can change it to a more traditional left-aligned layout. Right-click on the Start button and select “Settings.” Under “Personalization,” click on “Start” and toggle on “Show app list in Start menu.”
  2. Switch to the Classic Taskbar: Windows 11’s new taskbar is centered and shows icons only. If you prefer the old style, right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Under “Taskbar behaviors,” toggle on “Use small taskbar buttons” and “Combine taskbar buttons.”
  3. Change the Accent Color: Windows 11 has a new default blue accent color, but you can change it to any color you want. Go to “Settings,” then “Personalization,” and click on “Colors.” Under “Choose your color,” select “Custom color” and pick your preferred color.
  4. Install a Third-Party Start Menu: If you want a more traditional Start Menu, you can install a third-party app like Classic Shell or StartIsBack. These apps let you customize the Start Menu and taskbar to look like previous versions of Windows.
  5. Use a Windows 11 Theme: If you want to keep the new Windows 11 design but change the colors and icons, you can use a custom theme. Go to “Settings,” then “Personalization,” and click on “Themes.” Under “Themes,” select “Get more themes in the Microsoft Store” and browse the available themes.

By following these steps, you can get the Windows 11 look back to match your preferences.

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