Hate the New Look? How to Make Windows 11 Feel Like Windows 10 (or Even 7)

Got a new PC and feeling a bit... lost?

Windows 11 is here, and it looks nothing like what you’re used to.
The Start menu’s in the middle, everything feels overly minimalist, and the familiar buttons are either gone or hidden.

If you're upgrading from Windows 10, or even Windows 7, you’re not imagining it — Microsoft changed a lot.

But here’s the good news. You can make Windows 11 look and feel like the version you actually liked.

🧭 Your Two Choices With Windows 11

You’ve basically got two paths:

1. Learn the New Look (Even If You Hate It at First)

Yes, we know — the centered Start menu feels weird. The taskbar looks like it came from a tablet. The right-click menus are trimmed down. It’s okay to feel thrown off.

But before you write off Windows 11 completely, here’s a little tip: Give it a chance. Seriously.

Some of the things people dislike most — like the Start button being in the center — are actually super easy to fix without any third-party software. You can move the Start menu back to the left with just a few clicks in the settings.

It’s kind of like adjusting the mirrors and the seat in a new car. Once you tweak it a bit, it might not feel so foreign. Even doing just a couple small things — like adjusting the taskbar alignment or turning off unwanted animations — can make the whole interface feel a lot more familiar.

If after all that you still find yourself saying,

“Nope. I want my Windows 7 Start menu back.” That’s totally valid. And that’s where Option 2 comes in…

2. Customize It to Feel Like the Old Windows You Know

If you liked how things worked in Windows 10… or Windows 7…
You don’t have to give that up.
There are amazing tools that bring back the Start menu, fix the taskbar, and even make Windows 11 look like it’s 2010 again.

🛠️ Tools to Make Windows 11 Feel Like Home Again

Whether you're nostalgic for the past or just want things where they used to be, these tools will help:

🔁 Classic Start Menus

StartAllBack

• Restores the classic Start menu (Win 7 or 10 style)

• Moves Start button to the left

• Fixes the taskbar, right-click menus, and more
  🔗 https://www.startallback.com/

Open-Shell (formerly Classic Shell)

• Free, open-source Start menu replacement

• Extremely customizable
  🔗 https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

🎨 Total Look & Feel Customization

Stardock WindowBlinds

• Skin the entire Windows UI — themes, colors, menus, and buttons

• Tons of downloadable themes (including Windows 7 lookalikes)
  🔗 https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/

WinCustomize

• Stardock’s theme library for icons, visual styles, and more
  🔗 https://www.wincustomize.com/

🧠 For the Curious (Skip if You Just Want the Fix)

WinToys

• Free Windows 11 tweaking tool with deep control over system behaviors, bloatware, and appearance
  🔗 https://github.com/Builtbybel/WinToys

Windhawk

• Modify and enhance Windows functionality using community-made mods
  🔗 https://windhawk.net/

ExplorerPatcher

• Restore the Windows 10 taskbar and tray to Windows 11
  🔗 https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher

✅ Where to Safely Download These Tools

Stick with these trusted sources when downloading:

• Ninite – Safe installers for common tools

• MajorGeeks – Long-trusted software resource

• GitHub – For open-source utilities

• Stardock – For all WindowBlinds, Start11, and other premium tools

⚠️ Avoid sketchy “free download” sites that might bundle malware or junk software.

🔧 Final Thoughts: Make Windows Work For You

Windows 11 is powerful — but it doesn’t have to be locked into Microsoft’s idea of how things should look.
With the right tools, you can bring back what worked, ditch what doesn’t, and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Whether you want it to feel like 2025 or like it’s still 2009…Windows can still be your Windows.

👋 Don’t Want to Deal With All This?

Hey, I get it. Not everyone wants to dig through settings, download utilities, or tweak their system to death.
If you’d rather skip the hassle and just have it done right — I can help.

👉 Reach out here and let’s make your PC feel like home again.

⬅️ GO BACK