Screenshot of the Windows 11 Start Menu in full screen mode after using Explorer Patcher.

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.
How to Make the Start Menu Full Screen in Windows 11 (Tutorial)

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:

Screenshot of the Explorer Patcher download page on a browser.
  • 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.
Screenshot showing the Releases tab on the Explorer Patcher page.
  • 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.
Screenshot of the ep_setup.exe download link in the Assets section.

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.
Screenshot of the security prompt with the option to keep the Explorer Patcher setup file.
  • Wait for Installation: The setup will automatically make the necessary tweaks to your Windows 11 system to make it resemble Windows 10.
Screenshot of the Explorer Patcher installation progress.

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.
Screenshot of taskbar right-click menu with Properties option highlighted.
  • Change Start Menu Style: In the Explorer Patcher properties, navigate to the “Start Menu” section. Here, change the Start Menu style to “Windows 10.”
Screenshot of Explorer Patcher properties with Start Menu style set to Windows 10.
  • Enable Full Screen Start: Next, set the “Display Mode” to “Full screen start” and then click on “Restart File Explorer.”
Screenshot of display mode setting in Explorer Patcher set to full screen start.

Now, when you click on your Start button, your Start Menu should appear in full screen, much like it did in Windows 10.

Screenshot of the full screen start menu in Windows 11.

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.”
Screenshot of the Installed apps list with Explorer Patcher selected for 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.
Screenshot showing that Explorer Patcher has been uninstalled successfully.

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.

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