As we near the end of complimentary support, Windows 10 remains the most popular operating system from Microsoft, with nearly half of all Windows devices still utilizing it.
While many businesses might be hesitant to upgrade, a significant number of consumers are content with Windows 10 and are not eager to transition to Windows 11. Currently, there isn’t a “must-have” application that justifies the leap from Windows 10 to 11.
In fact, Microsoft has recently scrapped a major feature initially planned for Windows 11: compatibility for Android apps on PCs.
However, it’s essential to note that once free support for Windows 10 concludes, the risks associated with sticking to this beloved OS will increase.
The silver lining is that there are numerous ways to replicate the Windows 10 experience on Windows 11. Below are nine free applications that can help you achieve this.
Explore Windows 11
To truly understand what Windows 11 offers and how you might adapt, you need to try it yourself. If you’re still on Windows 10 and your machine meets the system requirements, upgrading is straightforward through the Windows update process.
Microsoft conveniently creates a temporary backup so you can revert back to Windows 10, complete with all your settings and files, for a period of 10 days. After this timeframe, the “Windows.old” folder is removed automatically.
However, it’s worth noting that the “Revert” feature can sometimes be unreliable. For a risk-free experience, it’s advisable to perform a complete backup of your system partition before making any changes.
Transform Windows 11 to Mimic Windows 10
The key to adapting Windows 11 lies in configuring it to resemble the familiar interface, functions, and aesthetics of Windows 10.
Start11 allows you to customize your system’s appearance to resemble either Windows 7 or 10 with just a few clicks.
Foundry
With Start11, you can easily switch your PC to resemble Windows 7 or 10. This primarily includes changes to the classic Start menu and other functionalities that Microsoft has phased out.
After installation, simply choose the style for Windows 7 or 10, then disable the taskbar’s central alignment by selecting “Start icon” in the left sidebar. You can also find and download a Windows 10 wallpaper to set as your background.
Startallback is another free tool that lets you choose from three styles: Windows 7, 10, and 11. This tool allows you to modify the taskbar layout, Windows Explorer, and more.
Open Shell Menu is another great option for customization, and the Explorer Patcher—found in the Start menu under “Properties (Explorer Patcher)”—is also quite effective.
Explorer Patcher offers extensive customization options for the taskbar and Windows Explorer, including the restoration of classic context menus.
Jared Newman / Foundry
This software brings back various options from earlier versions of Windows, including the classic context menu that reveals all entries at once, unlike the limited options in Windows 11. The Windows 11 Classic Context Menu adds similar functionality as well.
Finally, Winaero Tweaker includes over 100 tools and settings in a single interface, encompassing many customization possibilities for the desktop, taskbar, Windows Explorer, and context menu. Due to the extensive nature of its capabilities, a full description is beyond the scope of this overview.
Windows Themes and Windhawk Modifications
Windows “themes” consist of collections of desktop backgrounds, altered window layouts, mouse pointers, icons, and more, allowing for a completely new visual style.
Windows 11 itself offers only a limited selection of themes under “Settings > Personalization > Themes;” additional options can be found in the Microsoft Store or online. After you download a theme pack, you can install it with a double-click and manage it within the “Themes” section.
For third-party themes, first disable the installation lock using Ultra UX Theme Patcher. Given that this tool makes substantial changes to the system, creating a backup beforehand is highly recommended.
Be sure only to download themes from reliable sources. If you obtain themes in archive format, unpack the files and copy them into “C:\Windows\Resources\Themes” along with subfolders, enabling selection in the Settings app.
The Windhawk marketplace features mods developed by creators, allowing users to customize their Windows systems in numerous ways.
IDG
In addition to themes, Windhawk serves as a hub for mods that further enhance Windows customization. After installing this software, you can browse for mods within its interface and install them easily.
Make sure to read the provided explanations and notes carefully before proceeding. To add a mod, click “Install -> Accept the risk (Install Mod),” then select your desired features under the “Settings” tab and save your configuration.
RevertSV: A Perfect Emulation of Windows 10
RevertSV offers a modern Windows 11 experience while encapsulating the essence of Windows 10. The developer has made all necessary alterations and provides the system as a pre-configured ISO image.
However, it’s not intended for everyday use due to the U.S. settings, but it can be tested within a virtual machine using VMware Player or similar software.
The latest version of RevertSV is based on Windows 11’s 21H2, with plans for an update based on 24H2. The developer shares an overview of the system’s features in a YouTube video.
Remember the classic Windows photo viewer? It’s much more efficient for quickly viewing and navigating through image collections than the newer apps.
IDG
