Solved How To Make Windows 11 Taskbar Uncombined and Unlocked


DoIneeed to Take Ownership of the explorer.exe files?

@echo off

Taskkill /im explorer.exe /f

ren "C:\Windows\explorer.exe" explorer1.exe
copy "D:\explorer.exe" "C:\windows\"

pause
start explorer.exe
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 x64 Build 22621
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
DoIneeed to Take Ownership of the explorer.exe files?

I never do that when I replaced my explorer.exe with the one I copied from other PC, but maybe you have to.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Unbranded
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A785T-M
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x LG 20" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 60MHz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 1TB HDD
    ADATA 500GB SSD
    Midas Force 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Enermax 500W
    Case
    Unbranded
    Cooling
    Unbranded
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wired K120
    Mouse
    Logitech Wired B100
    Internet Speed
    20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Are you sneaking?
I replaced the Win11 explorer.exe with the Win10 explorer.exe. I was able to resize the taskbar to any number of rows I wanted, BUT, it was impossible to launch the Setup app either by the start button or from an icon I had pinned to the taskbar. Also, the Windows start button didn't work at all. I had to revert to the Win11 explorer.exe to regain the functionality I lost with the Win10 explorer.exe.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 (Insider)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    8Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop display
    Hard Drives
    256Gb SSD
    Case
    laptop
    Cooling
    internal
    Keyboard
    llaptop
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    1000 Kbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    MalwareBytes Pro
I replaced the Win11 explorer.exe with the Win10 explorer.exe. I was able to resize the taskbar to any number of rows I wanted, BUT, it was impossible to launch the Setup app either by the start button or from an icon I had pinned to the taskbar. Also, the Windows start button didn't work at all. I had to revert to the Win11 explorer.exe to regain the functionality I lost with the Win10 explorer.exe.
I installed StartIsBack++ after replaced explorer.exe.
But now I don't do that trick again. Just apply the "undocking" reghack to get the old Taskbar and old context menu.
StartIsBack++ is still needed. Running well in 22000.120 Build.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Unbranded
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A785T-M
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x LG 20" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 60MHz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 1TB HDD
    ADATA 500GB SSD
    Midas Force 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Enermax 500W
    Case
    Unbranded
    Cooling
    Unbranded
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wired K120
    Mouse
    Logitech Wired B100
    Internet Speed
    20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Are you sneaking?
this lucky guess hack just worked for me to restore Win10 start menu on top of Win11 "undocking" reghack...
via task manager i saw "StartMenuExperienceHost.exe" was crashing every time trying to hit start button...
so i copied it from win10 and that seems to work ok

found here: C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy
i did just the exe first with no other files
unfortunately right mouse start button, aka Win+X menu, still not working and i liked to customize that as well so i'll be poking around to understand that better if anybody has any clues?
also i see start menu background takes a extra few seconds to go away after close
i'm copying from win10 v 21h1 build 19043.1165
and i'm on win11 22000.100

no other hacks in play... just "undocking" reg and this exe

not really expecting to "sit" on exe replacements for long term solution but better than nothing while everybody lobbies msft to restore various bits.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
this lucky guess hack just worked for me to restore Win10 start menu on top of Win11 "undocking" reghack...
via task manager i saw "StartMenuExperienceHost.exe" was crashing every time trying to hit start button...
so i copied it from win10 and that seems to work ok

found here: C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy
i did just the exe first with no other files
unfortunately right mouse start button, aka Win+X menu, still not working and i liked to customize that as well so i'll be poking around to understand that better if anybody has any clues?
also i see start menu background takes a extra few seconds to go away after close
i'm copying from win10 v 21h1 build 19043.1165
and i'm on win11 22000.100

no other hacks in play... just "undocking" reg and this exe

not really expecting to "sit" on exe replacements for long term solution but better than nothing while everybody lobbies msft to restore various bits.
I haven't tried to alter "StartMenuExperienceHost.exe." And, yes, whether it replaced with Win10 explorer or not, reghack "kills" Win + X, it also kills Snap Flyout, and new ribbon..
Replacing "explorer.exe" could be a weekly job as long as Win11 is not in Final build. Because, anytime a new build comes, the explorer will be replaced by the newest one.
I'm just too bored to dig more right now. As long as the OS is in stable condition for my daily work, I think I can consider that this Win11 game is over..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Unbranded
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A785T-M
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x LG 20" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 60MHz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 1TB HDD
    ADATA 500GB SSD
    Midas Force 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Enermax 500W
    Case
    Unbranded
    Cooling
    Unbranded
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wired K120
    Mouse
    Logitech Wired B100
    Internet Speed
    20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Are you sneaking?
Installed newest build (22000.132). All the reghacks still work. First install gave me GSOD, restarted the PC and repeat the update. Took about an hour for the update process to finish, while it constantly shows me this progress:

Update.png

The number made me think: what kind of PC do I have?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Unbranded
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A785T-M
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x LG 20" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 60MHz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 1TB HDD
    ADATA 500GB SSD
    Midas Force 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Enermax 500W
    Case
    Unbranded
    Cooling
    Unbranded
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wired K120
    Mouse
    Logitech Wired B100
    Internet Speed
    20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Are you sneaking?
Build 22000.160 now, can't notice any difference..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Unbranded
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A785T-M
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x LG 20" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 60MHz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 1TB HDD
    ADATA 500GB SSD
    Midas Force 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Enermax 500W
    Case
    Unbranded
    Cooling
    Unbranded
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wired K120
    Mouse
    Logitech Wired B100
    Internet Speed
    20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Are you sneaking?
yeah, none. i really wish stardock creates a custom taskbar (drag&drop) and the classic context menu. :mad:

that's all i want.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 x64 Build 22621
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
WTF! There has been a bloodletting of public outcry about these options!!! Is not MS listening!?!?!? :cautious:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
3rd party softwares. That's all we have now. No other option available from MS. Or they simply doesn't care.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Unbranded
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A785T-M
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x LG 20" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 60MHz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 1TB HDD
    ADATA 500GB SSD
    Midas Force 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Enermax 500W
    Case
    Unbranded
    Cooling
    Unbranded
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wired K120
    Mouse
    Logitech Wired B100
    Internet Speed
    20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Are you sneaking?
3rd party softwares. That's all we have now. No other option available from MS. Or they simply doesn't care.
Geez Louise! If I use any more 3rd party apps, the whole fecking OS is gonna become one huge 3rd party app!!!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Geez Louise! If I use any more 3rd party apps, the whole fecking OS is gonna become one huge 3rd party app!!!
Not that huge because we already cleanup bunch of useless builtin apps they choked to our computer, and replace them with more valuable programs. The more I use this new OS, the more I feel that it's simply an empty HOST for other better softwares.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Unbranded
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A785T-M
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x LG 20" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 60MHz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 1TB HDD
    ADATA 500GB SSD
    Midas Force 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Enermax 500W
    Case
    Unbranded
    Cooling
    Unbranded
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wired K120
    Mouse
    Logitech Wired B100
    Internet Speed
    20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Are you sneaking?
Not that huge because we already cleanup bunch of useless builtin apps they choked to our computer, and replace them with more valuable programs. The more I use this new OS, the more I feel that it's simply an empty HOST for other better softwares.
Yup..., as a traditional Desktop user, I'm not impressed with the direction W11 is going! :(
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
3rd party softwares. That's all we have now. No other option available from MS. Or they simply doesn't care.

Don't lose hope just yet. Remember that Windows 10 was released with very limited customization options. No custom accent colours, very limited choice of preset accent colours, no accent colour on titlebars and so on.

This isn't a very high priority, especially when the OS hasn't even been released yet.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
is there a hack to fully make the taskbar 100% transparent all the time
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 ENT, W11 PRO
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 8000
    CPU
    Intel 3.2
    Memory
    6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GT 710
    Sound Card
    realtech
    Monitor(s) Displays
    phillips 272v8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 x64 Build 22621
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
Good thread helped me a lot.

Any way to change start menu position? After replacing the W11 explorer for the W10 one, seems everything works fine but start menu is still centered after trying to change it position.

NVM
This is working like a charm
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Build by me
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 2700 4Ghz OC
    Motherboard
    Aorus x470 Rev 1.1
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 PC4-24000 16GB 2x8GB CL15
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GeForce GTX 750ti (old GPU is dead)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SEAGATE 1T 7200 RPM
    SEAGATE 2T 7200 RPM
    SEAGATE 4T 5400 RPM
    SSD KINGSTON 120 GB
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB SSD NVMe M.2
    PSU
    Corsair CX650M 650W 80 Plus Bronze
    Cooling
    RL Nox Hummer H-240 Aura
    Keyboard
    INNOBO GAMING SARTAEL RGB
    Mouse
    Razer Mamba Wireless (garbage, not recommended)
    Internet Speed
    200 MB/S
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    haha
Good thread helped me a lot.

Any way to change start menu position? After replacing the W11 explorer for the W10 one, seems everything works fine but start menu is still centered after trying to change it position.

NVM
This is working like a charm

yep. you could also try startisback beta.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 x64 Build 22621
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
yep. you could also try startisback beta.
Haven't try this one yet. I'm still using StartIsBack++ 2.9.15 along with the reghack. Smoothly working on my old PC..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Unbranded
    CPU
    AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 555 Processor 3.20 GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A785T-M
    Memory
    Kingston 16GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    VIA HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x LG 20" Display
    Screen Resolution
    1600 x 900 60MHz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue 1TB HDD
    ADATA 500GB SSD
    Midas Force 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Enermax 500W
    Case
    Unbranded
    Cooling
    Unbranded
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wired K120
    Mouse
    Logitech Wired B100
    Internet Speed
    20MB Download 1,5MB Upload
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    McAffee, Malwarebytes, Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Are you sneaking?

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