Best apps to customize the look of Windows 11

Windows 11 brings a new look to PCs, including a brand-new Start menu and a redesigned Taskbar. New, however, isn't always better. If you dislike the look of Windows 11, there are plenty of apps that make it easy to customize your PC. From bringing back the classic Start menu to having an animated background, these are the best apps to customize the look of your Windows 11 PC.

Getting the most out of Windows 11

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Windows 11 has a new interface and Microsoft working to improve it over time, but some design elements are frustrating or inconsistent. Others, such as the Start menu, lack customization options that many users want. Third-party apps can improve the look of Windows 11 while also increasing its functionality.

Since Windows 11 is new, we're still testing out some of the best apps to customize Windows 10. As we check to see whether those apps work well with Windows 11, we'll continue to update this list. Since Windows 11 builds on Windows 10, there's a good chance that your favorite customization app still works, but you may run into some inconsistencies or bugs.

For now, Start11 is a great place to, well, start. It lets you customize the look of the Windows 11 Start menu. You can also use it to bring back classic Start menu designs, such as those seen on Windows 10 and Windows 7. It also supports restoring the Taskbar context menu, adding folders and pages to the Start menu, and creating shortcut links. You can even use it to move the Taskbar to the top of your display, which was an option on Windows 10.

If you like the overall look of Windows 11 but just want to add a personal touch, Lively Wallpaper lets you set images, videos, and web pages as your PC's background.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com.