Customize Windows 11 Archives

Winsage

January 18, 2026

The most advanced Microsoft OS is now $10

Microsoft is offering Windows 11 Pro for .97, reduced from its regular MSRP of 9. This promotion coincides with the phasing out of support for Windows 10, encouraging users to upgrade. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as improved search functionality, multiple desktops, AI assistant CoPilot, DirectX 12 Ultimate graphics, advanced security protections, and integration with Microsoft Teams and Widgets. The purchase provides a lifetime license with no subscription fees. The offer is available through StackSocial, with prices subject to change.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

Evicting Copilot: The Insider’s Guide to Purging AI from Windows 11

Microsoft's Windows 11 has introduced Copilot, an AI assistant aimed at enhancing productivity, but it has faced criticism from users concerned about privacy and resource usage. Copilot offers features like document summarization and image generation, but some users have labeled it an unwelcome presence. During the March 2025 Patch Tuesday, some users experienced Copilot being inadvertently uninstalled. Privacy concerns and performance issues have led many to seek ways to disable or remove Copilot, with methods including hiding the Copilot button, using Group Policy Editor, editing the Windows Registry, and uninstalling the app through Settings or PowerShell commands. In corporate environments, IT administrators can disable Copilot using Intune or Group Policy. Users have reported that Windows updates can reinstall Copilot, prompting them to disable automatic updates or block related domains. Recent user sentiment indicates growing fatigue with AI features, and there is potential for Microsoft to introduce easier opt-out options in future updates.

Winsage

September 25, 2025

Customize Windows 11 to Restore Windows 10 Features and Style

Microsoft's Windows 11 features a modern interface with centered taskbars and rounded corners, which may be jarring for users accustomed to Windows 10. To recreate the Windows 10 experience, users can modify the taskbar and Start menu using third-party applications like StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher, or through built-in registry edits. These modifications can restore the classic Start menu, reposition the taskbar, and revert context menus to their previous format. Users can also customize File Explorer to resemble its predecessor by enabling classic folder options and disabling new features. Visual elements such as wallpapers and icons can be changed to Windows 10 themes, and widgets can be disabled for a cleaner desktop. Performance optimizations, including disabling animations, can enhance system responsiveness. However, users should be cautious of potential risks associated with customizations, such as system vulnerabilities, and are advised to source tools from reputable developers and test changes in a virtual machine.

Winsage

June 28, 2025

Microsoft’s sketchy Win 10 vs Win 11 performance claims pit a 9-year-old PC against a modern machine to claim 2.3X gain

Microsoft is discontinuing support for Windows 10 in October and is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, highlighting the risks of unsupported systems that will no longer receive security updates. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's Executive Vice President, claims that PCs running Windows 11 can be up to 2.3 times faster than those running Windows 10, based on benchmarking tests comparing older Windows 10 PCs with newer Windows 11 machines. The performance metrics come from tests conducted in December 2024 using the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core measurement tool. Windows 11 is also noted for its security advantages, including features like TPM 2.0 and Smart App Control, and a reported 62 percent reduction in security incidents. For users not ready to upgrade, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates subscription for Windows 10 PCs.

Winsage

December 2, 2024

5 ways to make Windows look like macOS

Windows 11 is compatible with various applications and hardware, and has a user-friendly interface. Users transitioning from macOS may want to emulate its aesthetic. To customize Windows 11 to resemble macOS, users can: 1. Download macOS cursors from DeviantArt user antiden and install them by extracting the .zip file and using the install.inf file. 2. Use WinDynamicDesktop from the Microsoft Store to download macOS wallpapers that change automatically based on the time of day. 3. Replace the taskbar with a dock using MyDockFinder (paid) or WinStep Nexus Dock (free) for customization. 4. Utilize Rainmeter and the Droptop Four mod to create a customizable menu bar at the top of the screen. 5. Add macOS-like widgets using the Big Sur skin set for Rainmeter after installing Rainmeter. These changes can enhance the user experience on Windows 11 by making it feel more familiar and inviting.

Winsage

June 12, 2024

The Best Ways Everyone Should Customize Windows 11 | Lifehacker

The fact described in the text is that in Windows 11, users can move the taskbar back to the left side of the display by going to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behaviors and choosing Left from the drop-down menu next to Taskbar alignment.

BetaBeacon

April 8, 2024

Microsoft is actively blocking Windows 11 tweaking tools

Microsoft has released Windows 11 with a distinct aesthetic vision, which is less adaptable in terms of personalization compared to previous versions. Microsoft has updated its policies to restrict certain third-party applications in order to preserve the integrity of the Windows 11 design.