How to Make Windows 11 Explorer Look Like Windows 10
Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft, brings a fresh and modern look to the user interface. However, some users may prefer the classic Windows 10 explorer layout for its simplicity and familiarity. If you’re one of those users, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to make Windows 11 explorer look like Windows 10. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Enable Legacy File Explorer
The first step is to enable the legacy file explorer in Windows 11. To do this, follow these instructions:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. In the right pane, find the “UseLegacyShell” DWORD (32-bit) value.
5. Double-click on it and set its value to 1.
6. Click “OK” and close the Registry Editor.
Step 2: Customize the File Explorer
Now that the legacy file explorer is enabled, you can customize it to match the Windows 10 look. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
2. Scroll down and click on “File Explorer.”
3. Under the “File Explorer” section, you’ll find various options to customize the appearance and behavior of the file explorer. You can enable or disable features like “Show icons and notifications on the taskbar,” “Use the classic start menu,” and more.
4. Make the desired changes and click “OK” to save the settings.
Step 3: Restore Classic Start Menu
If you want to completely replicate the Windows 10 experience, you can also restore the classic start menu. Here’s how:
1. Download and install a third-party start menu replacement like “Classic Shell” or “Start10.”
2. Follow the installation instructions and configure the start menu to your liking.
3. Once the start menu is set up, you’ll have a classic Windows 10 start menu in Windows 11.
Step 4: Optional: Install Windows 10 Theme
To complete the transformation, you can install a Windows 10 theme to match the color scheme and visual style. Here’s how:
1. Download a Windows 10 theme pack from a trusted source.
2. Extract the downloaded file to a folder on your computer.
3. Open the extracted folder and double-click on the “theme” file.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to apply the theme to your Windows 11 system.
By following these steps, you can make Windows 11 explorer look and feel like Windows 10. Enjoy your customized Windows 11 experience!