Some people prefer their Windows interface to look a certain way. Thankfully, you can enhance the appearance and functionality of your desktop with third-party applications. Read on to discover the best apps to personalize your Windows 10 and 11 UI experience.
1. Lively Wallpaper
Price: Free
Lively Wallpaper gives you a large selection of wallpaper options, including videos, GIFs, and web pages.
The app also lets you use animated backgrounds to enhance the aesthetics of your desktop. Additionally, it’s possible to change the brightness, overlay color, speed, zoom, and other settings with a few clicks.
Pros
- Open-source application
- Good display scaling quality that fits your display resolution
- Pauses wallpaper playback when you’re off desktop, working, or playing games
- Minimal use of PC resources
- Supports multiple displays on more than one monitor
- Ad-free
Cons
- Some web wallpapers may not function properly
Tip: a cool 4K background can give your Windows desktop a completely different vibe.
2. BeWidgets
Price: Free
BeWidgets helps you personalize your Windows PC by allowing you to customize your desktop widgets with pictures, weather information, shortcuts, date and time, finances, and other features.
BeWidgets developers are quite active and working to add various new widgets in the future, including one that can control Spotify and additional media, and others that support browsers, text, and RSS feeds.
Pros
- Works quickly and efficiently
- Wide range of widgets
- Easy-to-use interface
- Fast and optimized application
- Modern design
Cons
- Does not display news items or other content available through the standard Windows widgets app
3. ElevenClock
Price: Free
ElevenClock is an app that allows you to customize the taskbar clock on your Windows 11 PC.
The app has numerous options, including the ability to fully customize the look of the clock. You can opt for custom fonts, colors, or backgrounds and view the time in style. When you’re done, you can clone your creation and have the app show you a secondary clock at the other end of the taskbar. Moreover, this app provides a simple solution if you can’t get the clock to show up on your second monitor.
Pros
- Lightweight application
- Large selection of customization options
- Works with small taskbars
- Clock starts automatically
Cons
- Taskbar windows and settings are only visible on the main screen
Just switched to Windows 11? Here’s everything you need to know about its new and improved widgets.
4. RoundedTB
Price: Free
With the RoundedTB app, you can change the shape and appearance of your Windows taskbar by adding margins, rounded corners, and segments of any size.
The app is accessible in your Windows system tray, and you can use it to divide your taskbar into multiple segments for separate apps. Entering a margin and corner radius is the most basic way to use RoundedTB.
Pros
- Works without modifying system files or making permanent system alterations
- User-friendly
- Includes advanced options, like dynamic mode, show system tray, and independent margins, among others.
Cons
- The taskbar may stretch to the left in some configurations
5. Start11
Price: 30-day free trial/starting at $5.99
Stardock’s Start11 offers various customization options for your Windows Start menu. Users have their choice of various classic Start menu layouts, including Windows 7 and 8.
Additional features in Start11 include customizing grid icon spacing, repositioning the taskbar, changing the color, shortcut links, and transparency. You can also ungroup or regroup open windows to improve your taskbar workflow and tailor your grouping experience per monitor. The app even allows you to expand the taskbar to see more open windows.
Pros
- Modern and clean interface
- No ads
- Wide range of features to choose from
Cons
- Trial installation could be easier
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to customize Windows without third-party apps?
Windows 11 offers quite a few options when it comes to personalizing your UI. Go to “Settings -> Personalization” and explore the options. From here, you can change the theme, pick a different accent color, and further customize your taskbar, as well as your lockscreen and Start menu.
If you’re still on Windows 10, right-click anywhere on the desktop and select “Personalize” from the drop-down menu to access the personalization settings. You’ll find most of the options mentioned above.
Can I add a macOS-style app dock on Windows?
Yes, you can take advantage of a macOS-style app dock on your Windows PC, but you’ll need to download a third-party app to do so.
How can I completely change the look of my Windows interface?
You can completely change the look and feel of your Windows interface by opting for a skin. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these beautiful Rainmeter skins that will give your desktop a new face.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Ademilade Shodipe-Dosunmu.
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