Alex Ruben
Transform Your Windows 11 Appearance to Resemble Windows 10
Many users find the aesthetics of Windows 11 not to their liking, especially those accustomed to the familiar look of Windows 10. This guide aims to walk you through the essential steps to modify your Windows 11 interface to mimic that of Windows 10. By following these steps, you’ll gain a more traditional user experience while still enjoying the benefits of the latest operating system features.
Step 1: Restore the Classic Context Menu
The first significant change you can make is to restore the classic context menu, which many users prefer. To achieve this, follow these instructions:
- Open the Registry Editor. You can do this by pressing Win + R, typing
regedit, and hitting Enter.
- Navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSIDin the left pane.
- Right-click on
CLSID, select New, and then choose Key. Name the new key{86CA1AA0-34AA-4E8B-A509-50C905BAE2A2}.
This modification will effectively bring back the classic context menu style, providing a more familiar navigation experience.
Step 2: Disable Windows Copilot Feature
The Windows Copilot feature in Windows 11 can be intrusive for users who prefer a cleaner interface. To turn off this feature, do the following:
- Within the Registry Editor, navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
- Right-click on the
Windowsfolder, select New, and create a new Key namedWindowsCopilot.
- On the right pane, right-click, choose New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it
TurnOffWindowsCopilot.
- Double-click on the new DWORD to edit it, and set its Value Data to
1, then click OK.
This will disable the Windows Copilot and streamline your user experience.
Step 3: Modify Window Frame Settings
The next adjustment involves changing how Windows manages the visual elements of open applications. Here’s how:
- In the Registry Editor, navigate to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM.
- Right-click on the
DWMkey, select New, and create a DWORD (32-bit) Value namedUseWindowFrameStagingBuffer.
- Double-click the
UseWindowFrameStagingBufferDWORD to open its properties, set Value Data to0, and then click OK.
The changes applied here will give your windows a more traditional look akin to Windows 10. Make sure to restart your PC to see the effect of these modifications.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
When making these adjustments, it is essential to back up your registry settings to avoid any potential issues if you need to reverse the changes. You can do this by selecting the root folder in the Registry Editor and saving a backup. Common problems may arise from typos during the registry edits or from failing to restart the PC after making these changes, so double-check your inputs and always reboot to apply your modifications.
Conclusion
With these steps, your Windows 11 should now closely resemble the classic look of Windows 10. This guide has provided a straightforward method to revive familiar visual elements while still maintaining the powerful features of the modern OS. For further customization and enhancements, consider exploring additional tweaks available online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revert these changes back to Windows 11’s default look?
Yes, you can revert every change made by deleting the keys added in the registry or changing their values back to the defaults. Always remember to create a backup before making any changes.
Will these changes affect my system performance?
Generally, these changes should not negatively impact your system’s performance. However, modifying registry settings can lead to instability if not done correctly.
Are there alternative methods to achieve a Windows 10 look?
Yes, third-party applications are available that can help mimic the Windows 10 interface on Windows 11. Tools like classic shell or start menu replacements can also assist in achieving this guide’s goals with user-friendly interfaces.
