Apps and Hacks

I love these customization (UI tweaker) apps because they let us redesign (somehow) the OS UI as we like. The only problem is they are CPU-intensive. The best one is WB (WindowBlinds). I love it. I was using it on Win7. WB is a beast for UI customization (not released for 11 yet).

Microsoft forces users to see their rubbish app icons, every time they click on Start. I don't like Win 11 Start Menu. Actually, I hate its fixed shape. I like it to be resizable (like Win 10).

Now, I am just using WinAreo Tweaker, powerful (but not in UI modification).

The Beat Goes On..., so will these types of debates!

I say, it's your PC, do what you want!

Make the OS's UI perfect as users need (by listening to their feedback, not just hearing). Like Mac (they get better and better after any new update) or, don't expect users to tolerate your piece of masterpiece !

atinfo said:

Make the OS's UI perfect as users need (by listening to their feedback, not just hearing). Like Mac (they get better and better after any new update) or, don't expect users to tolerate your piece of masterpiece !

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Nothing is perfect and I like some others, will adapt to the new versions of software as they come out, or stick with what I am happy with.
My believe is the more you tinker with something, the big the chance you have of breaking it.
Each and everyone to their own opinion to how they want to use THEIR system.
But I suspect this argument will go on a lot longer than most of us will be around.
And IMO (in my opinion) APPLE is far from perfect in their forced updates as well.
“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time”.

jaree1961 said:

My believe is the more you tinker with something, the big the chance you have of breaking it.
Each and everyone to their own opinion to how they want to use THEIR system.
But I suspect this argument will go on a lot longer than most of us will be around.

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I'm in the 'don't tinker' camp, and I firmly believe that's why I've never (ever) had a cumulative update or a feature update fail on any of my machines - and I have been updating/upgrading since Windows 10 was released in August 2015.

I do however customise Start to the maximum limits possible within the options Microsoft provides. That will become much easier once the 22H2 feature update is released, or if like me, you are running the Release Preview. Here I have 20 apps on the top row of Start alone - 18 of them in the 4 groups in the middle.

If I didn't tinker, I'd be bored outta my skull!!!

I'm self-employed and use my computer for my trading, my photography, software development, and self-improvement. I'm never bored.

Edwin said:

If I didn't tinker, I'd be bored outta my skull!!!

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I keep from getting bored by supporting others on these forums. Let others do the tinkering, then come here or TF and ask for help. I enjoy meeting (and hopefully fixing) obscure and unexpected challenges - I just don't want them on my machines, thank you

I used to earn my living doing that, now I'm retired I do it for fun

atinfo said:

Make the OS's UI perfect as users need (by listening to their feedback, not just hearing).

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I hear this argument all the time: Microsoft aren't listening to users' feedback, but which users are you referring to? This forum? A very small minority of users actually care about customising the UI. The average Windows user uses their computer for work only and then will use their smartphone for everything else.

My OS should have such flexibility (like a resistance band). Otherwise, I can't power up my creativity!

x BlueRobot said:

I hear this argument all the time: Microsoft aren't listening to users' feedback, but which users are you referring to? This forum? A very small minority of users actually care about customising the UI. The average Windows user uses their computer for work only and then will use their smartphone for everything else.

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Maybe a very small minority, but very powerful brains are here (of course, except me)! I am just curious how you measured minority?! Quality or Quantity? You can check the Microsoft support official, Reddit, Superuser and … to see if there is debate (questions/queries) about Win modification/tweaking.

All people around me are asking about how to modify this/that in Windows!

Forums aren't a good representative example of the common user, typically forums are only used by one particular user subset and that is computer enthusiasts. In addition to that, simply searching the Internet for a particular question is of course going to add to your own confirmation bias.

Just check out the SS below:



I don't have time to show you anymore! If you like, you can google it, and you will see out there there are tons of websites which refer 11F as a notable/remarkable URL!!

I don't understand how that proves your point that lots of people are asking customisation questions? You've just pointed out that a few "Independent Advisors" have found Brink's tutorials and are asking a user to follow them?

PurSpyk!! said:

Surely as beta testers we should be running Windows as released so we can highlight the shortcomings?

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Not everyone is a beta tester, I use a different machine for my dev channel stuff as this one is my best machine whereas the other is dual boot

x BlueRobot said:

Brink's tutorials

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I agree. It's Brink and his work that is well known and respected across a lot of other sites. As for the rest of us we're small fish in a large pond who produce helpful ideas from time to time. It's easier for them to direct users to his tutorials than it is for them to write one of their own. Brink does the work, they get the credit for pointing to a solution.

x BlueRobot said:

Forums aren't a good representative example of the common user, typically forums are only used by one particular user subset and that is computer enthusiasts. In addition to that, simply searching the Internet for a particular question is of course going to add to your own confirmation bias.

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I agree. Most likely .01% of us Windows users frequent these tutorial forums. IMHO Microsoft should have an HTML file onboard any Windows OS that points people to this forum. Right away they can search for answers and get acquainted with DIY tweaks. Or, download reg and patch files to do the work for them. These things are just not in the concious minds of young and older PC owners. Some people still think a computer is like a television. Turn it on, find your channel (which equals open your most used program) then power off when they are done.

FreeBooter said:

It also helps to guide people on how to access settings when nothing modified like Start Menu.

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Do you mean Win + I?

Always Why said:

Some people still think a computer is like a television.

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Both devices look at your underwear, so...

I use all of these combined.

• ExplorerPatcher
• Open-Shell 4.4.170
• Battery Mode
• TranslucentTB (UWP app)
• 7+ Taskbar Tweaker

...And some registry tweaks of various sorts, some of which are easier/faster to add by using these two:

• Winaero Tweaker
• Ultimate Windows Tweaker

FreeBooter said:

I don't use any software that modifies the Windows 11 i'm happy with how its.

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I did for years but I personally have had to many corruptions happen
and am tired of Re-installing Windows. I mostly patched windows to use custom
themes with UltraUXthemePatcher and Icons using 7tsp. I also used WinAero
but have recently found that all the settings will revert back to windows defaults within a day or so,
so yeah Its fun and made my PC how I would like it to look its just third party apps of any kind
are always a hit or miss.