While Windows 11 boasts an attractive interface, users often encounter design elements that can hinder productivity. Fortunately, several free modifications are available that resolve these issues, transforming Windows 11 into a more efficient and user-friendly platform.
8. Fences
Managing a cluttered desktop can be a cumbersome experience, often making it seem daunting to use your computer effectively. While organizing files into folders is a starting point, a superior solution lies in utilizing Fences, a desktop organization tool that enhances desktop management immensely.
Fences allows users to create shaded containers on their desktop, effectively grouping related files, folders, and shortcuts. For instance, I have set up a Current Projects fence for active work files, a Tools fence for frequently accessed applications, and a Downloads fence that automatically organizes new downloads.
A notable feature is the ability to hide all icons with a simple double-click on the desktop, which is particularly useful for presentations or screen recordings. Additionally, the roll-up function lets you collapse fence titles, maximizing desktop space while keeping your files organized, making Fences an essential tool for anyone managing multiple projects or dealing with desktop chaos.
This premium application is available for a lifetime license at $29.99, with annual options of $9.99 for a single device or $19.99 for up to five devices, alongside a 30-day free trial.
Download: Fences ($9.99/year, free trial available)
7. Start11
Start11 revitalizes the Windows 11 Start menu, transforming it into a more responsive tool tailored to user preferences. Upon clicking Start, the menu opens without delays, ensuring a seamless user experience. Searches are equally quick, delivering immediate results without unnecessary web overload.
This modification does more than enhance the Start menu; it restores the taskbar customization options that were lost with the transition to Windows 11. Personally, I place my taskbar on the left side of my ultrawide monitor and ungroup buttons for an organized view of open applications and files. I’ve also pinned project folders directly to the Start menu for quick access.
For users nostalgic for older designs, Start11 allows a return to Windows 7 or 10 styles, while still providing the modern aesthetics of Windows 11 with boosted performance.
Developed by the same team behind Fences, Start11 also offers a 30-day trial, with licensing fees set at $7.49 per year for a single device or $11.24 for multiple devices.
Download: Start11 ($7.49/year, free trial available)
6. Windhawk
Windhawk presents itself as an open-source platform serving as a one-stop shop for Windows modifications. This tool excels with easy one-click installations that address minor annoyances typical of Windows 11 while improving the overall user experience.
Among its most valuable mods are classic taskbar labels that show which documents are open, the capability to close applications by middle-clicking on the taskbar, and the option to revert to the classic context menu. The browser tab scrolling feature is particularly nifty, allowing users to scroll through tabs in Chrome or Edge from the taskbar.
Windhawk is user-friendly, providing a library of mods that clearly state their functions, with ratings and reviews from other users. If a modification doesn’t suit your needs, you can easily disable it.
Download: Windhawk (Free)
5. WinToys
Windows hosts a myriad of settings that can be overwhelming, scattered throughout the Control Panel, Settings app, and various registry options. WinToys consolidates these into a single, easily navigable interface, reducing the hassle of finding privacy toggles and other essential settings.
The application’s Home tab provides an overview of system specifications and real-time usage statistics. Meanwhile, the Apps tab features a comprehensive list of installed applications with sizes and installation dates, helping to identify bloatware quickly. The Services tab allows users to see backend processes without launching the Task Manager.
Enhancing the system’s performance is made simple with the Performance tab, which features toggles for enabling the Ultimate performance power plan, optimizing GPU scheduling, managing game settings, and eliminating startup applications.
The Health tab includes tools for disk health assessments and corrupted file repairs. Users can also explore privacy enhancement options under the Tweaks tab, with capabilities such as deactivating telemetry, cleaning up the Start menu, and restoring the classic context menu in File Explorer.
Download: WinToys (Free)
4. PowerToys
PowerToys is Microsoft’s response to the feature shortcomings of Windows 11, housing a suite of productivity tools that can significantly enhance user experience.
Key utilities include Awake, which prevents sleep mode during important tasks like file downloads, and FancyZones, which provides advanced window management with customizable layouts and snap features. Another favorite of mine is Peek (accessible via Ctrl+Space), which enables swift previews of files without needing to open them. Additionally, the Always on Top feature allows you to pin windows above others, ensuring vital applications remain in view.
Download: PowerToys (Free)
3. Ditto
While Windows 11 includes clipboard history functionality, its limitations are apparent. Ditto steps in as a superior alternative, capable of remembering an infinite array of copied items—text, images, and files—without restrictions and even retaining history after system reboots.
With a customizable shortcut like Ctrl + Accent (`), users can quickly access their entire clipboard history, enabling easy retrieval of previously copied items. Ditto also allows for syncing clipboard history across multiple devices.
Download: Ditto (Free)
2. Rainmeter
Rainmeter reimagines your desktop as a dynamic information hub rather than just another wallpaper. Although it may seem complex initially, starting with pre-configured skins makes it intuitively accessible.
I prefer a minimalist setup showcasing system statistics, a more advanced clock and calendar, and real-time weather updates. Featuring Spotify integration, it also displays current playlists directly on the desktop.
For novices, skins like Mond or Enigma provide straightforward customization pathways, while advanced users can develop entirely unique setups. The vibrant community surrounding Rainmeter offers thousands of skins, eliminating the need for coding from scratch.
Download: Rainmeter (Free)
1. Monitorian
Monitorian enables effortless adjustment of external monitor brightness using hotkeys or mouse controls, eliminating the frustration of hunting for buttons on the back of monitors.
The free version meets the majority of needs, offering intuitive sliders for brightness adjustments, alongside automatic startup with Windows. It also displays the adjusted brightness percentage while maintaining your monitor arrangement.
For more experienced users, a premium subscription grants access to customizable hotkeys, command-line functionalities, brightness synchronization across multiple monitors, and support for more than four displays. Nonetheless, the free version sufficiently covers the essentials for most users.
Download: Monitorian (Free, subscription available)
Each of the tools featured addresses specific frustrations associated with Windows 11. From Start11’s rapid search functionality to Ditto’s comprehensive clipboard history capabilities, these solutions are designed to enhance your computing experience. Most are free to use, while others come with generous trials, ensuring you can fully evaluate their benefits before committing.
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