How to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10 in 2 minutes


Hi everyone!

After my recent success attempting to revive the Windows 10 look, yet with the Windows 11 functionalities, I have come to a conclusion that it is very easy to do.

Looks

1686410952532.png

As you can see we have everything: The start menu, taskbar and search, and on top of that - even the ALT + Tab view!

Benefits of this program:
  • 100% free
  • Opensource
  • Does not affect system performance
  • Everything is neat, so clock etc is the correct size
  • Heaps of customisation
The software is Explorer patcher.

How to create this look
  1. First off, download Explorer patcher, and install it. On github you can simply open the latest release and download the exe at a <2mb file size.
  2. This will immediately give you the Windows 10 taskbar, but not start menu.
  3. To get the start menu, right click your taskbar and select Properties
  4. Select Start Menu, then after Start Menu style it will say Windows 11. Click that, and change it to windows 10.
  5. Below this, ensure after 'Position on screen', it states 'At screen edge'.
  6. Under the Taskbar option, you can choose the size of icons, hiding options and more!
Update on this post (12/24): I’ve checked today, and this still works well. But do I recommend it still? Not really, no. I am using the original W11 look because they brought back some important functionality. But I didn’t really ever use EP for the looks; I just made this post for those who wanted the W10 looks, not functionality. So if you really care about it looking like W10 rather than acting like it.. this is still the best free method I know of, in terms of using this program for functionality - I’m not sure I still see its place as Microsoft have (somewhat) refined W11.

Thank you for reading, and if you have any questions please do ask below!
 

Attachments

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Last edited:
Why bother?

Just stick to W10 if you want it to look like W10?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ16 GB solderedIntegrated Intel Iris XE
OS
Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
ASUS Zenbook 14
CPU
I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
Motherboard
Yep, Laptop has one.
Memory
16 GB soldered
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated Intel Iris XE
Sound Card
Realtek built in
Monitor(s) Displays
laptop OLED screen
Screen Resolution
2880x1800 touchscreen
Hard Drives
1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
PSU
Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
Case
Yep, got one
Cooling
Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
Keyboard
Built in UK keybd
Mouse
Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
Internet Speed
900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

Macrium Reflect Home V8
Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Why bother?

Just stick to W10 if you want it to look like W10?
You get the new features of Windows 11 and you get further support. Besides, if you upgraded to Windows 11 from Windows 10 and then regretted it after the 10 day window, you don't have to loose your data. On top of this you can always go back to the Windows 11 theme, so I'm not sure why you say this?
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 21H2AMD Ryzen 3 3100Corsair 8GB x 2 (16GB)Asus Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 Super
    OS
    Windows 11 21H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Chillblast
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 3 3100
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix b450-f
    Memory
    Corsair 8GB x 2 (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 27" 1440p
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracuda 1TB
    256GB NVME Seagate Barracuda
    Browser
    Firefox / Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • At a glance

    Windows 8.1Amd E24GB
    Operating System
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Amd E2
    Memory
    4GB
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD
Same results with StartAllBack...

although..., I don't need it to look like W10..., just function like W10, with a proper menu and taskbar toolbars.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Same results with StartAllBack...

although..., I don't need it to look like W10..., just function like W10, with a proper menu and taskbar toolbars.
Main reason I did this is for small icons, but it also gives Toolbars and combination options
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 21H2AMD Ryzen 3 3100Corsair 8GB x 2 (16GB)Asus Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 Super
    OS
    Windows 11 21H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Chillblast
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 3 3100
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Strix b450-f
    Memory
    Corsair 8GB x 2 (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 Super
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 27" 1440p
    Screen Resolution
    1440p
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracuda 1TB
    256GB NVME Seagate Barracuda
    Browser
    Firefox / Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • At a glance

    Windows 8.1Amd E24GB
    Operating System
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Amd E2
    Memory
    4GB
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD
It should be pointed out to anyone who chooses to go the route of using 3rd party software to alter the GUI, certain Windows updates will cause unwanted results until the developer of whatever 3rd party tool you use updates it software. So be aware of that going forward.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8875i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8875
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8875AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8875
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8875
It should be pointed out to anyone who chooses to go the route of using 3rd party software to alter the GUI, certain Windows updates will cause unwanted results until the developer of whatever 3rd party tool you use updates it software.
I just have to re-enable SAB - Done!

000391.png
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
... I just have to re-enable SAB - Done!
Don't get me wrong, folks..., I'm not trying to fight the issue in any way...,
... it's just that Windows has had certain functionality that I've grown accustomed to, some indispensable, for years..., SAB allows me to maintain that functionality in W11 with the click of one button.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
Hi, loving this so far, but is there a way to to just have the icons in the task bar, not the full name appear when open
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
lenovo

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProRyzen 9 5900XG Skill 32 GB DDR4-3600EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3 Ultra
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900X
    Motherboard
    Asus X570 ROG Crosshair Viii Hero
    Memory
    G Skill 32 GB DDR4-3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3 Ultra
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus ROG Swift 165Hz 2560X1440/ 2x 1920X1080
    Screen Resolution
    2560X1440 165 Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 X 1 TB NVME drives
    1 X Samsung 500 GB NVME
    PSU
    EVGA 850 Supernova Gold
    Case
    Phanteks Eclipse P400A
    Cooling
    EVGA 280mm AIO
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510s
    Mouse
    Logitech G502
    Internet Speed
    24/1
    Browser
    Firefox/Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    ESET Smart Security/Malwarebytes/Superantispyware
    Other Info
    Sennheiser PC37X Headset
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Ultra 9 288V32 GB LPDDR5X 8533
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 16 Plus
    CPU
    Intel Ultra 9 288V
    Memory
    32 GB LPDDR5X 8533
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" Mini-LED HDR 600 90Hz Touch
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME M.2 SSD
Hi, loving this so far, but is there a way to to just have the icons in the task bar, not the full name appear when open
ExplorerPatcher ➜ go to Properties ➜ Taskbar ➜ Combine taskbar icons on primary taskbar : Always combine
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    11 Homei7 13650HX16GB DDR5GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    What's an antivirus?
  • At a glance

    11 Homei5 1135G716GB DDR4Intel Iris Xe
    Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
Thanks, i was looking for about 30 mins, and I couldn't find it. Then I just saw it
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
lenovo
A coming attraction?
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz12GB
    OS
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz16GBOnboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA a...
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
I went to the link for the Explorer Patcher that was posted above, but for the life of me, I can not figure out what it is I am supposed to download. I don't see an .exe file to download. I have not used that site before so I am at a complete loss as to what to do when I go to the link.I just set up the new computer and it is very confusing trying to find the shut down option in addition to other items and I would just like for it to work more like windows 10 - at least for now and any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank You
 

Attachments

  • explorer patcher.PNG
    explorer patcher.PNG
    30.5 KB · Views: 12

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    windows 11 Pro11th Gen Intel Core i7-11390H (4 Cores, 8 Thr...32GB dual channel (DDR4)Intel® Iris® Xe
    OS
    windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    geekom mini IT11
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel Core i7-11390H (4 Cores, 8 Threads, 12M
    Memory
    32GB dual channel (DDR4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP S2031
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Core i7-13620HDDR4: SO-DIMM 32GB
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Geekom Mini PC XT13 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-13620H
    Memory
    DDR4: SO-DIMM 32GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPS2031
    Hard Drives
    M.2 1TB
Why bother?

Just stick to W10 if you want it to look like W10?
I think when people say they want a Windows version to look like a previous version, they want the functionality of the previous version. While it's a matter of opinion, Microsoft seems to have regressed some usability in Windows 11.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Professional 25H2Intel Core i9 11900K64GBNVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
OS
Windows 11 Professional 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Digital Storm VELOX
CPU
Intel Core i9 11900K
Motherboard
ASUS PRIME Z590-P
Memory
64GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Sound Card
Realtek onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer R221Q 21.5"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
2 x Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus (1 TB)
2 x Seagate ST4000NE001 (4 TB)
PSU
None
Case
VELOX
Cooling
Cooler Master
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Kensington trackball
Browser
Firefox, Chrome
Antivirus
Windows Defender, Malwarebytes
I don't see an .exe file to download.
You would need to click 'Latest' (right on the page under 'Releases'):

001555.jpg

And in the new page scroll down to 'Assets' and click 'ep_setup.exe'

001557.jpg

That will bring you the most recent install file.

I myself don't use EP anymore (switched to StartAllBack) but I know how the pages work in Github, you have to search a bit in the page to find the install file.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2AMD Ryzen 7 5700GKingston FURY Beast 2x16GB DIMM DDR4 2666 CL16MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB LP V1
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Build by vendor to my specs
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard
MSI PRO B550M-P Gen3
Memory
Kingston FURY Beast 2x16GB DIMM DDR4 2666 CL16
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB LP V1
Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung S24E450F 24"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
1. SSD Crucial P5 Plus 500GB PCIe M.2
2. SSD-SATA Crucial MX500-2TB
PSU
Corsair CV650W
Case
Cooler Master Silencio S400
Cooling
Cooler Master Hyper H412R with Be Quiet Pure Wings 2 PWM BL038 fan
Keyboard
Cherry Stream (wired, scissor keys)
Mouse
Asus WT465 (wireless)
Internet Speed
70 Mbps down / 80 Mbps up
Browser
Firefox 130.0
Antivirus
F-Secure (Internetprovider version)
Other Info
Router: FRITZBox 7490
Oracle VirtualBox 7 for testing software on Win 10 or 11
Actually, the easiest way is Explorer Patcher + Open Shell Menu. Both open source, and nothing changes after Windows Updates.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

W11
OS
W11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
2 HP Desktops, 1 Dell Desktop, 2 Dell XPS Laptops, 1 HP Laptop
Keyboard
Logitech
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4 & 3
Internet Speed
500 mps
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
Bitdefender
I think when people say they want a Windows version to look like a previous version, they want the functionality of the previous version. While it's a matter of opinion, Microsoft seems to have regressed some usability in Windows 11.
Most of the original usability features have been fixed. Any left are really minor.

Anyway, that was not what OP was talking about. OP wanted to make W11 look like W10.

Problem with tools that cosmetically make an OS look like an earlier version is that they keep needing to be updated as well as W11 develops,

We get lots of posts about MS breaking these tools as if it was MS's fault.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ16 GB solderedIntegrated Intel Iris XE
OS
Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
ASUS Zenbook 14
CPU
I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
Motherboard
Yep, Laptop has one.
Memory
16 GB soldered
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated Intel Iris XE
Sound Card
Realtek built in
Monitor(s) Displays
laptop OLED screen
Screen Resolution
2880x1800 touchscreen
Hard Drives
1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
PSU
Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
Case
Yep, got one
Cooling
Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
Keyboard
Built in UK keybd
Mouse
Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
Internet Speed
900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

Macrium Reflect Home V8
Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Thank You So Very Much! I was not looking on the right side of that page - silly me. Again, thank You!!!
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    windows 11 Pro11th Gen Intel Core i7-11390H (4 Cores, 8 Thr...32GB dual channel (DDR4)Intel® Iris® Xe
    OS
    windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    geekom mini IT11
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel Core i7-11390H (4 Cores, 8 Threads, 12M
    Memory
    32GB dual channel (DDR4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® Iris® Xe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP S2031
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Core i7-13620HDDR4: SO-DIMM 32GB
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Geekom Mini PC XT13 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-13620H
    Memory
    DDR4: SO-DIMM 32GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPS2031
    Hard Drives
    M.2 1TB
Using OpenShell with SAB , together works perfectly fine in 11............ :-)
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows11 Pro 25H2i732GBnVidia
    OS
    Windows11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    z97k
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Hard Drives
    3
    Cooling
    air
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET
  • At a glance

    Windows11 ProIntel i516GBIntel
    Operating System
    Windows11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Motherboard
    ASUS Basic
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Hard Drives
    one intern , 0ne extern, OS on SSD
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    wireless Logitech
    Mouse
    wireless Logitech
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET

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