The user interface of Windows 11 is commendable; however, when contrasted with macOS or devices like the Google Pixel, it can seem lacking. Customization has been integral to the Windows experience for over twenty years, so there’s no necessity to conform to the standard Windows 11 UI.
Utilizing customization tools for Windows 11 allows you to develop a distinct visual appeal tailored to your taste. We particularly admire the Pixel UI for its sleekness and effective use of subtle pastel shades that enhance the overall design aesthetic.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of replicating the Pixel phone UI on your Windows 11 computer. This transformation will modify Desktop icons, font styles, and the positioning of the Taskbar.
Prerequisites:
To achieve the Pixel UI look on your Windows 11 system, you will need the following components:
- Rainmeter (a popular customization application)
- MD3 (a skin package containing essential elements like fonts, colors, and widgets to emulate the Pixel experience).
Steps to Implement the Pixel UI Theme on Windows 11
The first step involves downloading and installing Rainmeter. Navigate to the official website, download the application, and follow the installer prompts. After installation, you should see various Rainmeter elements on your desktop. It’s crucial to have this app in place before applying the Pixel UI package.
Next, secure the Basic Version of the MD3 package from GitHub. After downloading, proceed with these steps:
Step 1: Right-click the downloaded file and choose the Extract all option.
Step 2: Access the extracted folder and double-click on the MD3 Basic version skin file.
Step 3: The Rainmeter skin installer will open. You do not need to adjust any settings; simply click the Install option.
Step 4: Wait a moment for the installation to complete, then click on the Done button.
Customizing the Pixel Skin on Windows 11
Taskbar and Menus
The Taskbar and menus in Windows 11 are frequently used features, so we will address these first. Begin by right-clicking the Taskbar and then selecting Taskbar settings.
Expand the Taskbar behaviors section and enable the Auto-hide Taskbar option to free up space for the new Pixel-style Taskbar. Additionally, to declutter your desktop, right-click on the desktop, go to View, and uncheck Show desktop icons.
In the Rainmeter skin settings, locate the Taskbar and menu section and click on Taskbar. Choose Style 1 to display a new Taskbar at the top of the screen. Keep in mind that clicking the style button again will disable this element.
To personalize the Taskbar further, right-click it again, hover over the Variant option, and choose between Light or Dark themes, depending on your preference. We recommend the Dark theme for its sleek appearance. The skin is adaptive to your PC’s color settings, so feel free to explore various combinations.
The Taskbar will default to the top of the screen, but it can be dragged down to the bottom if you prefer a traditional layout.
Note that while some Taskbar buttons function properly, others may not respond. For instance, the Power button will shut down the PC with no prompt, and we hope the developer revises this in a future update. The Copilot and Task View buttons are operational, but the Start menu only opens the standard menu; accessing the Pixel version requires a Pro subscription, which is also necessary for other elements like the Power Menu and Tools menu.
Widgets and Styles
A significant feature of the Pixel skin is its implementation of Widgets and styles. While Windows 11 introduced a widget board, it doesn’t quite compare to what was available in Windows 7. This Pixel skin allows for multiple widgets on the desktop.
Access the Widgets & styles section, select an element, and choose your preferred style. For instance, clicking on the Clock option and then selecting Style 1 will add a clock widget to your desktop, which you can move around to fit your layout.
You can also include additional widgets such as Date, Weather, Events, and Music. Most of these widgets are free, though some may require a Pro subscription.
Conclusion
The MD3 skin provides an impressive aesthetic for Windows 11, revitalizing your monotonous desktop into an attractive interface. You will enjoy the vibrant Android 14-inspired icons, making it difficult to recognize that this is an unofficial Pixel theme for Windows 11.
Currently, this skin focuses solely on desktop transformation, but an all-encompassing theme that modifies the File Explorer and Settings UI would significantly enhance the user experience.
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