My favourite free Home windows 11 customization app simply bought even higher

I have been utilizing Windows 11 daily since upgrading my desktop PC from Windows 10 in 2021. Whereas I take pleasure in a lot of its options, such because the improved File Explorer and snap layouts for multitasking, I’ve at all times been pissed off by the restricted customization choices for the taskbar, Begin menu, and desktop. For instance, not like Home windows 10, you’ll be able to’t even make the taskbar vertical.

That is why customization apps have change into important to my Home windows 11 expertise. The one I depend on most is a free app known as Windhawk, which lets you simply obtain and handle mods that change the looks of Home windows 11, equivalent to utterly overhauling the look of the taskbar and Begin menu. Lately, the app acquired a significant replace, making it even higher to make use of.

Windhawk’s newest model, 1.7, is filled with new options. Probably the most vital modifications is how the app manages downloading mods. Beforehand, Windhawk downloaded mods and compiled them regionally in your machine. Now, it downloads precompiled mods, making set up and updates a lot faster. After I up to date all of the mods I’ve put in after the replace, it took simply seconds, so it undoubtedly works. The replace additionally provides the flexibility to view and set up older variations of mods, so if a brand new replace to a mod you utilize causes issues, you’ll be able to rapidly revert to a earlier model.

Methods to obtain Windhawk and customise Home windows without cost your self

My two favourite mods change the look of the Begin menu and taskbar

If you happen to’re occupied with attempting the most recent model of Windhawk, you’ll be able to obtain it without cost from GitHub. As soon as you put in it in your PC, open the Discover tab within the app to see all of the completely different mods you’ll be able to set up to customise Home windows 11 to your liking.

There are tons of various mods accessible on Windhawk, together with considered one of my favorites that permits you to take away the “really useful apps” part from the Begin menu utterly. One other one I take advantage of is the Home windows 11 Taskbar Styler, which helps you to change the taskbar’s look, equivalent to making it utterly clear or reworking it right into a macOS-style dock.

Moreover, because of the most recent 1.7 replace, the builders have added a search function, filtering choices, and an inventory view on your put in mods, making it even simpler to handle them.

One other helpful function on this new Windhawk replace is the flexibility to replace the app instantly from the About part. Now, every time a future Windhawk replace like this one is launched, you’ll be able to replace it by going to the About part (positioned on the prime proper of the app) as a substitute of visiting GitHub to obtain the most recent launch.

I have been utilizing Windhawk on my Home windows 11 laptop computer for a number of months, and I have not had any points with my Home windows breaking or related issues with the few mods I’ve put in, and all the pieces has been easy. Whereas Windhawk addresses my complaints about Home windows 11’s restricted customization choices, it will be good if Microsoft ultimately centered on giving customers extra methods to personalize the Begin menu, taskbar, File Explorer, and different options as a substitute of simply including extra Copilot options.