It's enough to go back to Windows 10 for a moment to see all the negative changes Microsoft decided to implement in Windows 11. Redmond's refusal to acknowledge these regressions forces us to look for visual alternatives, and although in the past we have adopted free resources like the combo of OpenShell and ExplorerPatcher, it would be a gross mistake on my part not to mention StartAllBack, which works very well with the latest 22H2 build.
In recent days, Windows 11 has received "improvements" such as tab support for Notepad, and the inclusion of the Bing chatbot in the taskbar. The 23H2 edition is expected to include an optimized volume mixer (or rather, one that can actually be used), and a new hardware-accelerated color management.
Now, if you're waiting for options to customize the taskbar or restore the previous context menu without using registry hacks... I recommend you don't wait any longer and look for an alternative solution. As a general rule we try to share freeware applications like OpenShell and ExplorerPatcher, but if you're willing to pay a minimal sum, StartAllBack is the key.
StartAllBack: The Windows 11 You Deserve
StartAllBack offers us three different designs for the Start menu: "Proper Windows 11", "Windows 10 or similar", and "Renewed Windows 7", each with its special features. To enter the StartAllBack configuration, simply open the context menu of the Start button and go to the section called Properties. Inside "Start Menu" you can hide or open multiple elements such as links, define the size of icons, save all modern apps in a folder, and limit the scope of the search.
"Taskbar" will allow you to replace the design of the Start button, modify the position of the taskbar, combine/uncombine its buttons, and enable dynamic transparency that looks great with some wallpapers. "Explorer" restores the classic context menu without hacks, command bars, and Control Panel applets, among other things. And "Advanced" offers color options for the Start menu and taskbar, in addition to controlling lists of recently opened programs and items.
As I mentioned above, StartAllBack is not freeware, and requires a payment of $4.99 for a permanent license, but if you want to think about it a little more, its hundred-day trialware is quite generous. Download a copy!
Official site and download: Click here
