How to Make the Start Menu Full Screen in Windows 11
If you’ve upgraded to Windows 11 and miss the full screen Start Menu from Windows 10, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through how to make your Start Menu full screen using a third-party application called Explorer Patcher. This method is simple and quick, and by the end of it, you’ll have a Start Menu that fills your entire screen, just like in Windows 10.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 11 does not natively support a full screen Start Menu.
- Explorer Patcher is a safe and effective third-party tool to achieve this feature.
- Reverting back to the original Windows 11 Start Menu is easy if needed.
Why You Need a Third-Party App
Unlike previous versions, Windows 11 doesn’t allow you to make the Start Menu full screen out of the box. That’s where Explorer Patcher comes in. This tool lets you tweak various aspects of Windows 11, including the Start Menu, to make it more like Windows 10.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Start Menu Full Screen
Step 1: Download Explorer Patcher
To begin, you’ll need to download the Explorer Patcher application. Here’s how:
- Visit the Explorer Patcher Download Page: Go to the official Explorer Patcher GitHub page.
- Navigate to the Releases Tab: Scroll down until you see the “Releases” tab on the right-hand side of the page. Click on it to view the latest version.
- Download the Setup File: On the next page, scroll down to the “Assets” section and click on the
ep_setup.exe
file to start the download.
Step 2: Install Explorer Patcher
Once the file is downloaded:
- Run the Setup File: Click on the downloaded file to open it. If you get any security prompts, click on “Show more details” and then select “Keep anyway.” Rest assured, Explorer Patcher is safe to use.
- Wait for Installation: The setup will automatically make the necessary tweaks to your Windows 11 system to make it resemble Windows 10.
Step 3: Configure Start Menu Settings
After installation, you’ll need to adjust a few settings to enable the full screen Start Menu:
- Access Taskbar Properties: Right-click on any empty space on the taskbar and select “Properties.” This will open the Explorer Patcher properties window.
- Change Start Menu Style: In the Explorer Patcher properties, navigate to the “Start Menu” section. Here, change the Start Menu style to “Windows 10.”
- Enable Full Screen Start: Next, set the “Display Mode” to “Full screen start” and then click on “Restart File Explorer.”
Now, when you click on your Start button, your Start Menu should appear in full screen, much like it did in Windows 10.
Step 4: Reverting to Windows 11 Start Menu
If you ever want to revert to the original Windows 11 Start Menu:
- Uninstall Explorer Patcher: Right-click on the Start button, go to “Installed apps,” find “Explorer Patcher” in the list, and click “Uninstall.”
- Confirm and Restart: Follow the prompts to uninstall the application. Once done, your Start Menu will be back to its default Windows 11 appearance.
Conclusion
With the help of Explorer Patcher, you can enjoy the full screen Start Menu on your Windows 11 system, just like in Windows 10. Whether you’re customizing your interface or seeking a familiar user experience, this tool makes it easy to get the look and feel you want.
FAQs
What is Explorer Patcher?
Explorer Patcher is a third-party tool that allows you to tweak various aspects of Windows 11 to resemble Windows 10, including the Start Menu.
Is Explorer Patcher safe to use?
Yes, Explorer Patcher is safe. However, because it’s a third-party tool, Windows may flag it during installation. You can safely bypass these warnings.
Can I revert to the original Windows 11 Start Menu after using Explorer Patcher?
Yes, you can easily uninstall Explorer Patcher to revert to the original Windows 11 Start Menu.
Does Explorer Patcher offer other customization options?
Yes, it offers several customization options for the taskbar, system tray, and other aspects of Windows 11.
Do I need to keep Explorer Patcher installed to maintain the full screen Start Menu?
Yes, to maintain the full screen Start Menu, Explorer Patcher needs to remain installed on your system.