Thumbnail image for the Windows 11 Customization Guide

Today, I’m going to show you how you can customize your copy of Windows and completely transform the way your Windows PC looks and feels.

By following this guide, you’ll learn to customize Windows in a way that suits your style and needs. From installing a custom mouse cursor to putting a video as your desktop wallpaper, changing the color of your taskbar, customizing your start button, and upgrading your context (right-click) menu, we’ve got you covered.

If you want to make Windows truly your own, this guide will show you how. Before you dive in, make sure to create a system restore point. This will ensure that you can easily revert any changes if something goes wrong.

Customize Your Windows 11: Full Guide for a Unique Look

Key Takeaways

  • Learn how to personalize your Windows PC with a custom mouse cursor, taskbar, and start menu.
  • Discover tools and tips to transform the look and feel of your Windows experience.
  • Customize your right-click menu to add frequently used apps and folders.

Create a System Restore Point Before Starting

Screenshot from the video showing how to create a system restore point in Windows 11.

Before you start customizing your Windows PC, it’s important to create a system restore point. This acts as a safety net, allowing you to roll back your system to its previous state if something goes wrong during the customization process. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the Start Menu: Click on the Start button or press the Windows key.
  2. Search for “Restore”: Type “restore” in the search bar, then select “Create a Restore Point” from the results.
  3. Check System Protection: In the System Properties window, ensure that system protection is turned on for your C drive. If it’s off, click “Configure,” enable system protection, and click “Apply.”
  4. Create the Restore Point: Click the “Create” button, give your restore point a name (e.g., “Before Customization”), and click “Create” again. Windows will save a snapshot of your current system settings.

Now that you have a system restore point, you’re ready to start customizing your Windows PC with peace of mind. If any of the changes cause issues, you can easily restore your system to this point.

*Note before starting: If you’re interested, you can download the Ultimate Customization Folder, but please note, most of the software will be out of date. It would be best for you to follow this guide and configure everything manually.

How to Install a Custom Mouse Cursor

Screenshot from the video showing how to install a custom mouse cursor.

Changing your mouse cursor is a small tweak that can have a big impact on the look and feel of your Windows PC. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Download a custom cursor: Go to DeviantArt and find a cursor pack you like. I used “Windows 11 Cursors Concept v2” by jepriCreations. Download it here.
  2. Install the cursor: Once downloaded, extract the contents of the cursor pack. Right-click on the .inf file, and select “Install.” After installation, open your mouse settings by typing “mouse properties” in the search bar. Go to the Pointers tab and select your new cursor from the dropdown menu.

How to Put a Video as a Desktop Wallpaper

Screenshot from the video showing How to Put a Video as a Desktop Wallpaper using Lively Wallpaper.

This customization adds flair to your desktop by allowing you to use a video as your wallpaper. Follow these steps:

  1. Download Lively Wallpaper: Get Lively Wallpaper and install it on your PC. I recommend installing it in a “Tools” folder on your C drive.
  2. Choose your video: You can use any video as your wallpaper. I used a classic turntable video from Pexels.
  3. Set it up: In Lively Wallpaper, click “Add Wallpaper” and select the video file. Customize the playback settings to suit your preferences.

How to Change the Color of Your Taskbar or Make It Transparent

Screenshot from the video showing a transparent taskbar on Windows 11.

Want to tweak your taskbar to match your custom theme? Here’s how:

  1. Download Explorer Patcher: For Windows 11, you’ll need Explorer Patcher.
  2. Download 7+ Taskbar Tweaker: This tool is essential for customizing taskbars.
  3. Download Open Shell: Open Shell helps you customize your start menu and taskbar.

After installation, follow the video instructions to change your taskbar’s color, transparency, and behavior.

How to Customize Your Start Button and Start Menu

Screenshot from the video showing a custom Start button and Start menu on Windows 11.

Your start menu is one of the most important areas of your PC. Here’s how to personalize it:

  1. Open Shell: You’ve already downloaded this in the previous section.
  2. Custom Start Buttons: Download custom start buttons, like Windows Orb Pack 2 or the Windows 11 Start Button.
  3. Custom Start Menu Skin: Add a new skin to your start menu using the Fluent Metro Skin.

After downloading and installing the above, follow the video instructions to apply your custom buttons and skins.

How to Customize the Context (Right-Click) Menu

Screenshot from the video showing a custom Windows 11 context menu created with Shell by Nilesoft.

This might be one of the most powerful customizations you can do. Personalizing your context menu makes it easier to access your favorite apps and folders quickly. Here’s how:

  1. Download Shell by Nilesoft: This tool allows you to add custom entries to your right-click menu.
  2. My Custom Config: Use my custom Nilesoft Shell configuration to get a pre-setup right-click menu with helpful shortcuts.

After installing Shell by Nilesoft, overwrite the default configuration with mine for an enhanced context menu. (You might have to change some file paths if the apps have new versions).

Click here to download Flow Launcher
Click here to download Text-Grab
Click here to download Notepad++
Click here to download Colorpicker
Click here to download MenuTools

Conclusion

With all these customizations, your Windows PC should look and feel exactly how you want it. Whether it’s a custom cursor, an animated wallpaper, or a personalized context menu, you now have the tools to make Windows uniquely yours.


FAQs

1. How do I create a system restore point before customizing my PC?

To create a system restore point, go to the search bar, type “restore,” and select “Create a Restore Point.” Make sure system protection is turned on, then follow the prompts to create your restore point.

2. Can I use these customizations on Windows 10?

Yes, most of these customization steps will work on Windows 10. However, note that Explorer Patcher is designed specifically for Windows 11.

3. Will video wallpapers affect my PC’s performance?

Yes, video wallpapers can affect performance, especially during intensive tasks. However, Lively Wallpaper includes a setting to pause the wallpaper when full-screen applications (such as games) are running, helping to maintain performance.

4. Can I revert back to the default Windows settings after customizing?

Yes, you can easily revert back to default settings by uninstalling any custom software and restoring your system to a previous restore point.

5. Is it safe to download custom files and skins from the internet?

Yes, but always ensure you’re downloading from trusted sites like DeviantArt. Be sure to scan any files for viruses before installing them on your PC.

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