Windhawk is a free, open-source modding tool that lets you customize the Windows 11 taskbar, start menu, File Explorer, and other shell elements that Microsoft does not expose in Settings. Install it, browse the mod library, and enable the ones you want — changes apply instantly and can be reversed with a single click. It uses under 3 MB of RAM and runs automatically at startup.
Applies to: Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) — some mods also work on Windows 10 | Last updated: April 6, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Windhawk is a modding platform with hundreds of community-created mods for Windows 11. All mods are open source, verified on GitHub, and can be enabled or disabled individually without affecting each other.
- The most popular mods address the biggest Windows 11 complaints: Taskbar Height and Icon Size (resize the taskbar), Start Menu Styler (remove the Recommended section, add side-by-side layout), Taskbar Volume Control (scroll anywhere on the taskbar to adjust volume), and Classic Explorer Navigation Bar (restore the Windows 10 ribbon).
- Windhawk is extremely lightweight — under 3 MB of RAM total. It works by injecting modifications into the Windows shell process, not by running heavy background services.
- Every change is reversible. Disable a mod to revert its changes, or uninstall Windhawk entirely to restore stock Windows 11. No permanent registry damage.
Quick Steps
- Download Windhawk from windhawk.net and run the installer (choose standard installation for most users).
- Open Windhawk and click the Explore tab to browse available mods.
- Click a mod → Install → configure settings in the Settings tab → Save settings.
- Changes apply immediately. Some mods require a File Explorer restart (Windhawk prompts you).
- To undo: disable the mod’s toggle on the Home tab, or uninstall the mod entirely.
How to Install Windhawk
Go to windhawk.net and click Download. Run the installer — you will see two options:
- Standard installation — installs for all users, integrates with the system, runs at startup automatically. This is what I recommend.
- Portable version — keeps everything in the application folder with no registry entries. Useful if you want to try it without committing to a full install.
After installation, Windhawk opens automatically. The Home tab shows your installed mods (empty at first), and the Explore tab shows all available mods sorted by popularity.
Best Mods for the Taskbar
Taskbar Height and Icon Size
This mod lets you resize the taskbar and its icons — something Windows 11 does not allow natively. I use these settings for a compact taskbar that frees up screen space:
- Icon size: 16
- Taskbar height: 34
- Taskbar button width: 44
After clicking Save settings, the taskbar shrinks immediately. If the change does not look right, Windhawk will prompt you to restart File Explorer. You can also disable the mod at any time to go back to the default size.
Taskbar Volume Control
This mod lets you scroll your mouse wheel anywhere on the taskbar to adjust volume — not just over the sound icon. It is a small quality-of-life improvement that makes volume control much faster. By default, Windows 11 only supports scroll-to-adjust when hovering directly over the speaker icon.
Taskbar Styler
The Taskbar Styler mod includes visual themes like a translucent taskbar, Windows XP style, and bubble effects. The translucent theme pairs well with the translucent Start Menu Styler theme for a unified look. For a more accurate Windows XP taskbar experience, I would recommend RetroBar instead — it does a better job replicating the classic taskbar.
For a fully transparent taskbar, you can also use TranslucentTB as a standalone tool.
Best Mods for the Start Menu
The Start Menu Styler mod is the one I use the most. The biggest annoyance with the Windows 11 Start menu is the “Recommended” section — even if you disable it in Settings, the space is still reserved and you cannot fill it with pinned apps. This mod fixes that completely.
It includes several themes:
- No Recommended Section — removes the section entirely and fills the space with pinned apps
- Side-by-Side Minimal — all apps list on the left, pinned apps on the right, no Recommended section. This is my favourite — it closely resembles the Windows 10 Start menu layout.
- Translucent — adds a translucent blur effect to the Start menu with no Recommended section
- Windows 10 Theme — mimics the Windows 10 Start menu with Live Tile-style pinned apps
If you want an even deeper Windows 10 transformation, ExplorerPatcher replaces the entire taskbar and Start menu with the Windows 10 versions. For a different approach, StartAllBack offers similar customization with a polished GUI (paid, with a free trial).
Restoring the Classic File Explorer Ribbon
The Classic Explorer Navigation Bar mod restores the Windows 10-style command ribbon in File Explorer. Windows 11 replaced the full ribbon with a simplified command bar that has fewer options. If you prefer the old layout with all the buttons visible (Copy, Paste, Rename, Properties, etc.), this mod brings it back.
Install the mod, go to Settings, select Classic ribbon, and save. The change takes effect immediately in new File Explorer windows.
How to Manage and Remove Mods
Click the Home tab in Windhawk to see all installed mods. Each mod has a toggle to enable or disable it — disabled mods stay installed but stop applying their changes. To completely remove a mod, click Remove. Some changes require a File Explorer restart to take effect (Windhawk prompts you automatically).
To uninstall Windhawk entirely, go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, find Windhawk, and click Uninstall. Choose to remove all program settings when prompted. All customizations revert to stock Windows 11 immediately.
Tip: If a mod causes a visual glitch (like overlapping taskbar elements), open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Windows Explorer, and click Restart task. This refreshes the shell and fixes most display issues. You can also disable the problematic mod first.
For broader Windows 11 optimization beyond visual customization, Winhance handles bloatware removal, privacy settings, and performance tweaks. If you want a full debloat walkthrough, see the Chris Titus Windows Utility guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windhawk affect system performance?
No. Windhawk uses under 3 MB of RAM in total and does not run any heavy background processes. It works by injecting modifications into the Windows shell, so the performance impact is negligible. I have been running it alongside other tools like Winhance with no issues.
Are Windhawk mods safe to use?
Yes. All mods are open source with their code publicly visible on GitHub. Each mod shows its author and verification status in the Windhawk interface. That said, only download Windhawk from the official website (windhawk.net) — do not use third-party download sites.
Can I use Windhawk on Windows 10?
Windhawk supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, most of the popular mods (Start Menu Styler, Taskbar Height, Taskbar Styler) are specifically designed for Windows 11’s newer shell components. Some mods have Windows 10 compatibility noted in their description — check the mod details before installing.
What happens if I uninstall Windhawk?
All customizations revert to stock Windows 11 immediately. The mods depend on Windhawk to function — once it is removed, the shell returns to its default behavior. During uninstallation, you can choose to remove all program settings as well, which cleans up any leftover configuration data.
How is Windhawk different from ExplorerPatcher or StartAllBack?
Windhawk is a modular platform — you pick individual mods for specific changes (taskbar size, volume control, Start menu theme). ExplorerPatcher is an all-in-one tool that replaces the entire Windows 11 shell with the Windows 10 version. StartAllBack is a paid tool with a polished GUI that offers similar customization. Windhawk gives you more granular control — you can change the Start menu theme without touching the taskbar, for example.
