Windows 11 introduced a sleek, modern design that many users love—but not everyone is a fan of its centered Start Menu. If you’ve been using Windows 10 for years, the sudden shift in design might feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar. The good news? You don’t have to stick with the new look if you don’t want to. With a few tweaks, you can make the Windows 11 Start Menu look and behave like Windows 10’s.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions to restore that classic Windows 10 feel on your Windows 11 machine. Whether you want the Start Menu aligned to the left, want live tiles back, or simply prefer the old-school layout, we’ve got you covered.
Why Customize the Windows 11 Start Menu?
Before diving into the steps, let’s quickly talk about why you’d want to customize it:
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Familiarity: Windows 10’s Start Menu feels like home to millions of users.
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Productivity: Some people find it easier to navigate because of live tiles and the left-aligned layout.
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Personalization: A PC should work the way you like, not the way Microsoft dictates.
So, let’s bring that comfort back to Windows 11!
Align the Start Menu to the Left
One of the simplest changes you can make is to shift the Start Menu from the center back to the left side—just like Windows 10.
Open Settings by pressing Windows + I, then go to Personalization > Taskbar. Scroll down, click Taskbar behaviors, and under Taskbar alignment, choose Left.
Boom—you’ve instantly brought back that classic left-aligned Start Menu!
Use a Third-Party Tool
If you want more than just repositioning, you’ll need third-party software. Two of the most popular tools are StartAllBack and Start11.
StartAllBack
StartAllBack is lightweight and designed specifically for Windows 11.
Features
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Brings back Windows 10-style Start Menu.
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Lets you choose between Windows 7, 10, or custom styles.
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Allows customization of taskbar, icons, and context menus.
How to Use It
Download and install StartAllBack, then choose the Windows 10 style under Start Menu options. From there, you can adjust colors, icons, and transparency.
Start11
Start11 is another powerful tool, especially if you want advanced customization.
Features
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Exact replica of the Windows 10 Start Menu.
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Additional layouts like Windows 7.
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Ability to move taskbar to top or sides.
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Integration with modern Windows 11 features.
How to Use It
Purchase and download Start11, install it, then select Windows 10 style under Start Menu settings. Play around with themes and layouts to match your preference.
Bring Back Live Tiles
One of the biggest complaints about Windows 11’s Start Menu is the removal of live tiles. While Microsoft hasn’t officially included them, third-party apps can help.
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Start11 allows you to recreate the live tile experience with pinned apps and dynamic content.
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TileIconifier lets you design custom icons and create tile-like shortcuts that behave like Windows 10 tiles.
Customize Pinned Apps
Even without extra software, you can make the Start Menu feel closer to Windows 10 by managing pinned apps.
Remove unwanted ones by right-clicking and choosing Unpin from Start. Then add your favorites by right-clicking them and selecting Pin to Start. Rearrange the apps by dragging them into a grid—similar to the old live tiles layout.
Change Start Menu Colors and Themes
Windows 10 was known for its bold, colorful tiles. You can mimic that by adjusting colors in Settings.
Open Settings > Personalization > Colors, then enable Show accent color on Start and taskbar. Pick a bright, vibrant color to bring back that Windows 10 vibe.
Recreate Windows 10 Search Experience
In Windows 10, search was built into the Start Menu. In Windows 11, it feels slightly different.
You can enable the Search box on the taskbar under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Or, use Open-Shell, which integrates classic search directly into a traditional Start Menu.
Use Registry Tweaks (For Advanced Users)
If you’re comfortable tinkering, registry tweaks can help restore hidden features.
For example, you can restore the classic context menu:
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Open Registry Editor (regedit).
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Navigate to:
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Add a new key with this ID:
{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} -
Restart your PC.
Now, right-click menus will look more like Windows 10 again.
Move Taskbar Icons to the Left
Aside from the Start button, Windows 10 had all icons aligned left. In Windows 11, they’re centered by default.
Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar behaviors, then change alignment to Left.
Disable the Recommended Section
Windows 11’s Start Menu includes a “Recommended” section, but many users find it cluttered.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Start and toggle off:
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Show recently added apps
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Show most used apps
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Show recently opened items
This makes your Start Menu cleaner and more Windows 10-like.
Use Open-Shell (Free Alternative)
If you don’t want to pay for Start11 or StartAllBack, try Open-Shell. It’s free and still works great on Windows 11.
Features
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Brings back Windows 7 or Windows 10-style Start Menu.
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Fully customizable layouts and skins.
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Lightweight and open-source.
Adjust Taskbar Size and Icons
Windows 10’s taskbar was more compact. You can replicate that in Windows 11.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and under Taskbar behaviors, adjust Taskbar size to Small.
Enable Dark or Light Mode
Windows 10’s Start Menu looked sharp in dark mode.
Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors, then select either Dark or Light depending on your preference.
Use Old Icons and Themes
Another way to make Windows 11 feel like Windows 10 is by changing system icons.
Download a Windows 10 icon pack and use tools like IconPackager or manual replacement to restore the familiar look.
Bring Back Control Panel Shortcuts
Windows 10’s Start Menu had easy access to system tools. You can still pin them in Windows 11.
Search for Control Panel, right-click, and choose Pin to Start.
Combine All Tweaks for Maximum Effect
The closest possible Windows 10 experience comes from combining multiple tweaks:
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Left-align Start Menu and taskbar.
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Use Start11 or StartAllBack.
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Enable classic icons and vibrant colors.
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Disable recommended items.
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Pin Control Panel and system utilities.
With these changes, your Windows 11 desktop will look and feel almost identical to Windows 10.
Conclusion
Windows 11 brings a modern design, but not everyone loves its Start Menu. Luckily, you don’t have to settle for something you dislike. With built-in settings, third-party apps, and clever tricks, you can make the Windows 11 Start Menu look nearly identical to Windows 10’s.
From left-aligning the Start button to restoring live tiles and classic icons, the choice is completely yours. At the end of the day, it’s your PC—so make it feel like home.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make Windows 11 Start Menu identical to Windows 10 without third-party apps?
Yes, but only to a degree. Left-aligning and disabling recommended apps help, but for a true replica, tools like Start11 are required.
Q2: Is Start11 or StartAllBack free?
StartAllBack offers a trial, but both require purchase. Open-Shell is a free alternative.
Q3: Will these tweaks slow down my computer?
No, these apps and settings are lightweight and won’t impact performance.
Q4: Can I switch back to the default Start Menu later?
Absolutely. Just uninstall the third-party app or reset personalization settings.
Q5: Are registry tweaks safe to use?
They’re safe if done correctly, but always back up your registry before making edits.