Windows 11 brings a sleek, modern design, but many users find the default taskbar, start menu, and other UI elements limiting. After using Windows 11 as my main operating system for a month, I discovered that the out-of-the-box experience isn’t ideal for everyone. To tackle this, I’ve been using a tool called Windhawk, which allows for extensive customization of the Windows 11 shell, from resizing the taskbar to revamping the start menu. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can use Windhawk to tailor Windows 11 to your liking.
Key Takeaways
- Windhawk is a modding tool that allows you to customize Windows 11’s taskbar, start menu, and more.
- You can adjust the taskbar height, icon size, and even remove the recommended section from the start menu.
- Windhawk is lightweight and doesn’t consume significant system resources, making it an excellent option for users seeking a personalized Windows 11 experience.
Why Customize Windows 11?
While Windows 11 offers a fresh interface, many users find it lacks flexibility, especially with the taskbar and start menu. By default, the taskbar height and icon sizes are fixed, and the start menu has a persistent “Recommended” section that can’t be fully removed using built-in settings. For power users and enthusiasts, this can be frustrating. Windhawk steps in as a solution, enabling you to make these adjustments and more.
If you’re interested in more ways to optimize Windows 11, check out how I optimize Windows 11 with Chris Titus Tech Utility.
Getting Started with Windhawk
Downloading and Installing Windhawk
To get started, download Windhawk from its official website and follow the installation instructions. During installation, you can choose between a standard installation, which applies to all users on the system, or a portable version that keeps all settings within the application folder. For most users, the standard installation is recommended as it integrates seamlessly with the system.
Exploring Windhawk’s Interface
Once installed, Windhawk presents a straightforward interface with tabs to explore available mods. Mods are ranked by popularity, making it easy to find the most useful ones. In this post, we’ll focus on mods that enhance the taskbar and start menu, but there are many other options to explore.
Customizing the Taskbar
Taskbar Height and Icon Size Mod
One of the first mods to consider is the Taskbar Height and Icon Size mod. This mod allows you to resize the taskbar and icons, giving you control over how much screen space the taskbar occupies. For example, setting the icon size to 16 and the taskbar height to 34 creates a more compact and less obtrusive taskbar.
Example Configuration:
- Icon size: 16
- Taskbar height: 34
- Taskbar button width: 44
After applying these settings, you’ll notice a smaller, tidier taskbar that frees up more screen space. If you’re not satisfied with the changes, you can easily revert to the default settings by disabling the mod or adjusting the settings further.
For a more classic look, consider turning your Windows 11 taskbar into a Windows XP-style taskbar using RetroBar.
Taskbar Volume Control Mod
Another useful mod is the Taskbar Volume Control mod, which lets you adjust system volume by scrolling over the taskbar with your mouse. This is a significant improvement over the default behavior, where you need to hover directly over the sound icon to adjust volume.
Revamping the Start Menu
Start Menu Styler Mod
The Start Menu Styler mod is a must-have for anyone looking to declutter the Windows 11 start menu. By default, Windows 11 includes a “Recommended” section that can’t be fully removed, even if you turn off the settings in the Start menu’s personalization options. With the Start Menu Styler mod, you can remove this section entirely and fill the space with pinned apps.
Popular Themes:
- No Recommended Section: Removes the recommended section, allowing for a fully customizable start menu.
- Side-by-Side Start Menu: Organizes pinned apps on the right and an all-apps list on the left, similar to Windows 10.
- Translucent Start Menu: Adds a translucent effect to the start menu for a modern, sleek look.
Among these, the Side-by-Side Minimal theme is particularly appealing as it closely resembles the classic Windows 10 start menu, offering a practical and familiar layout.
For a complete transformation, you might also like turning Windows 11 into Windows 10 with ExplorerPatcher.
Additional Customizations
Windhawk also offers mods for other UI elements, such as the notification center and file explorer.
Taskbar Styler Mod
The Taskbar Styler mod includes several themes, like the Windows XP theme and a translucent taskbar. If you prefer a consistent translucent look across your system, pairing the translucent taskbar with the translucent start menu creates a unified appearance.
File Explorer Customizations
Windhawk also allows you to revert the File Explorer ribbon to the classic Windows 10 style, which many users find more intuitive and functional. By installing the Classic Explorer Navigation Bar mod, you can bring back this familiar interface.
Managing and Uninstalling Mods
Windhawk makes it easy to manage your mods through its home screen, where you can enable, disable, or uninstall mods with a click. If you ever decide to return to the stock Windows 11 experience, you can uninstall Windhawk from your system entirely. This will also remove all custom settings, reverting Windows 11 to its default state.
Conclusion
Windhawk is a powerful tool for anyone looking to personalize their Windows 11 experience. Whether you want to resize the taskbar, customize the start menu, or make other tweaks, Windhawk offers a variety of mods to suit your needs. Best of all, it’s lightweight and won’t bog down your system, making it a practical choice for daily use.
If you’re interested in more customization tips, don’t forget to check out the Windows 11 Customization Playlist for additional tips and tools
FAQs
Does Windhawk affect system performance?
No, Windhawk is very lightweight and doesn’t significantly impact system performance. It operates by making registry changes rather than running heavy processes in the background.
Can I revert changes made by Windhawk?
Yes, you can easily disable or uninstall any mod through Windhawk’s interface, or uninstall Windhawk entirely to revert all changes.
Is Windhawk safe to use?
Windhawk mods are open-source and vetted by the community, making them safe to use. However, as with any software, it’s important to download it from trusted sources.
Can I use Windhawk on other versions of Windows?
Windhawk is primarily designed for Windows 11, but some mods may work on Windows 10 as well. Check each mod’s compatibility before installation.
How do I uninstall Windhawk?
To uninstall Windhawk, go to the installed apps section on your computer, find Windhawk, and select uninstall. You can also choose to remove all program settings during the uninstallation.
