Windhawk Archives

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Windows 11 finally gets a proper Start menu with this Quantum upgrade — install it now

Microsoft's Windows 11 features a centered Start menu and taskbar aimed at modernizing its aesthetic, but many users find it uninspiring. The Quantum Start Menu is a Windhawk theme designed to enhance the Windows 11 interface, providing a cleaner and more intuitive Start menu and taskbar. YouTuber Link Vegas has created a video guide for installing the Quantum Start Menu, which requires a theme package, Windhawk application, and configuration files.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Windows 11 users can finally restore this lost Windows 10 taskbar feature, here is how

Windows 11 users can restore the Desktop Peek feature using a Windhawk mod called "Taskbar Show Desktop Button Aero Peek," which allows them to show the desktop by hovering over the taskbar. This functionality was removed by Microsoft, but the mod provides a way to revert to the previous method. Users can uninstall the mod or use keyboard shortcuts (Win + D to show the desktop, Win + , for a quick peek) to return to the default settings.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

7 ways to customize the Windows taskbar for maximum productivity

The Windows 11 taskbar can be customized for better functionality and personalization through various adjustments. Users can disable unnecessary icons by accessing Taskbar settings, which allows for more space to pin preferred applications. Disabling taskbar grouping can enhance navigation by displaying individual windows instead of grouping them under a single icon. The Windhawk application offers customization options for taskbar labels, including adjusting width, text size, and padding. Volume control can be made easier with Windhawk's Taskbar Volume Control mod, allowing users to adjust sound levels by scrolling over the taskbar. The Middle click to close on the taskbar mod lets users close applications directly from the taskbar instead of opening new instances. Users can reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen using Windhawk or ExplorerPatcher. Finally, Start11 allows users to pin folder menus to the taskbar, transforming it into a file navigation tool.

Winsage

March 10, 2025

5 Start menu alternatives and Windows tweaks that will speed up your workflow

The Start menu in Windows 11 has undergone changes that some users find less familiar compared to previous versions. Alternatives to enhance the Start menu experience include: - StartAllBack: A paid utility that restores the classic Windows 7 Start menu while offering customization options like themes, layout, and taskbar modifications. It has a 100-day free trial. - Open-Shell: A free, open-source tool that allows users to revert to classic Start menus from Windows 7 and earlier, with extensive customization and improved search functionality. It receives regular updates but may have slight performance lags. - Start11: A premium alternative by Stardock that provides a modern Start menu with styles reminiscent of Windows 7 and Windows 10, allowing for icon modification and app pinning. It offers a 30-day free trial. - Windhawk: A free modular tool for customizing the Start menu and other Windows interface elements, allowing users to install specific mods for tailored modifications. - Windows built-in settings: Users can enhance the Start menu by changing the layout, adding folder shortcuts next to the power button, and pinning favorite apps for quick access.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

How to Get a macOS-Like Menu Bar on Windows 11

Many users transitioning from macOS to Windows 11 desire a macOS-like menu bar. Two methods to achieve this are: 1. Droptop Four Rainmeter Skin: - Download and install the Rainmeter application for free. - Download the Droptop Four skin (95MB in RMSKIN format) for free. - Install the skin by double-clicking the file and following the prompts. 2. GlazeWM with Zebar: - Open Terminal or Command Prompt and execute the command: winget install GlazeWM. - Launch GlazeWM from the Start menu to display a macOS-like menu bar at the top of the screen, which shows CPU and RAM usage. GlazeWM also offers tiling capabilities for efficient workspace navigation.

Winsage

February 28, 2025

Miss Windows Vista Well, both of you can now recreate the OS in Windows 11 with a new mod

A Windows Vista-inspired theme for Windows 11, called the 'Windows Vista 2025 Edition,' has been created using a utility named Windhawk, which allows for extensive customization of the operating system. Users must install Windhawk and specific mods, adjusting settings like taskbar style and icon size. The setup process is intricate and may involve accessing files via Google Drive. A YouTube tutorial by Link Vegas offers guidance on the installation. Caution is advised when downloading third-party software or files.

Winsage

February 16, 2025

Third-party mod delivers the Start Menu Windows 11 deserves

Many users are dissatisfied with the Start menu in Windows 11, preferring the flexibility of Windows 10. Windhawk is a platform that offers mods for Windows 11, including a revamped Start menu layout that enhances usability by prominently displaying pinned applications and simplifying access to the full list of apps. Users can easily customize their Start menu by downloading Windhawk, selecting a layout from the 'Windows 11 Start Menu Styler' mod, and pasting in the corresponding code. Windhawk also allows extensive customization of the Windows interface, including the ability to change transparency and remove the Recommended section. It is a third-party modification with security considerations but operates on open-source principles. Additionally, Windhawk provides tools to modify app behaviors and redesign elements of the Windows interface, serving as a hub for exploring and implementing various mods.

Winsage

February 16, 2025

This simple mod is what Windows 11 Start menu should have been from the very beginning

Many users prefer the Windows 10 Start menu over the Windows 11 version due to its flexibility and customization options. The third-party application Windhawk offers modifications that allow users to recreate the Windows 10 Start menu experience while using Windows 11. One notable feature of Windhawk is a mod that presents pinned apps centered, a complete app list on the left, and recommended content on the right, reducing the number of clicks needed to access applications. To customize the Start menu layout using Windhawk, users need to download and install the application, find the "Windows 11 Start Menu Styler" mod, paste the appropriate code in the "Advanced" tab, and save the changes. The mod provides a high level of customization for the Start menu, improving usability compared to the default Windows 11 layout.

Winsage

February 4, 2025

5 tools that put the Windows 11 Start menu to shame

The Start menu in Windows 11 has limited customization options, leading users to seek alternatives. Several third-party applications can enhance or replace the Start menu experience: 1. Windhawk: A free, open-source tool that allows customization of the Start menu and taskbar, offering features reminiscent of Windows 10, such as viewing the All apps list and removing the Recommended section. 2. StartAllBack: Restores the look of earlier Windows versions, providing a nostalgic interface with customization options, including a Windows 7-style menu, while enhancing the taskbar and File Explorer. 3. Start11: A powerful customization tool from Stardock that offers seven different styles for the Start menu, allowing users to organize apps into groups and folders, enhancing productivity. 4. PowerToys: Features PowerToys Run, a search bar that allows users to launch applications and perform tasks quickly, providing an efficient alternative to the Start menu. 5. Flow Launcher: A comprehensive replacement for the Start menu, offering a wide range of functionalities through plugins, allowing users to launch applications and access various tools efficiently.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

7 design flaws in Windows 11 Microsoft still hasn’t fixed

Over three years since the launch of Windows 11, many user concerns remain unresolved. The taskbar lacks flexibility, as users cannot resize or relocate it, and customization options are limited despite third-party applications. The Recommended section in the Start menu is cluttered with advertisements and persists even when users try to disable it. Tabs in File Explorer do not function as intended, often opening new windows instead of tabs. Users face overwhelming advertisements during the initial setup, and even after opting out, suggestions reappear. Dark mode implementation is inconsistent across various system components. Many UI elements are outdated and do not match the modern design of the OS. Windows 11 struggles to cater to gaming handhelds, with the desktop UI not translating well to these devices. Microsoft's focus seems misaligned with user needs, as longstanding issues remain while the company invests in new features and innovations.