Despite the fact that Windows 11 has been around for a few years, it still lacks features seen in Windows 10. Even in 2025, you need a third-party app to bring back a clone of the Windows 10 calendar flyout, a dedicated app to get the best Start menu, and can't have the OS switch between light and dark mode on a schedule without an app. It's frustrating that you have to download third-party apps to fix elements of Windows 11, but at least the best ones are easy to find. Here are the best apps to customize and fix Windows 11.
The Start menu is potentially the most controversial aspect of Windows 11's design. Even those who enjoy the icon-focused interface may dislike the Recommended section of Start that "wastes" space. Start11 allows you to customize the look of the Windows 11 Start menu or bring back classic Start menus from previous versions of Windows. It also lets you move the taskbar to other parts of the screen!
This app allows you to customize the Taskbar of Windows 11. With it, you can round the corners of the Taskbar, split the Taskbar into segments, and add margins to the Taskbar. The app can also make the Windows 11 Taskbar act like a floating dock.
The native File Explorer on Windows 11 has improved steadily over the years, but it's not quite perfect. Microsoft's File Explorer has an impressive amount of legacy support, but that comes at the expense of a modern design. The Files app looks more at home on Windows 11 than the native File Explorer and has several exclusive features. It also has many options that it gained before Microsoft imitated them, such as a tabbed interface.
With this app, you can set GIFs, videos, and webpages as your PC's background. It was recently updated to support Windows 11, so it should work well with Microsoft's new operating system.
This app lets you customize when your themes change on your Windows 11 PC. You can use it to specify your wallpaper per display and to switch between light and dark modes automatically.
Windows 11 does not feature a fully functional calendar flyout in the taskbar. This app fills that void with a flyout that can view and create new events.
Getting the most out of Windows 11
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Windows 11 is functional and has several customization settings, but it lacks some personalization options that were seen in previous versions of Windows. Additionally, third-party developers have come up with creative ways to improve the Windows 11 experience. Installing a few specific apps can revamp the look and feel of Windows 11 and add functionality to your PC.
If you're an app developer and have an app that you think should be featured, please get in touch with me. I love testing new apps and tweaking the look of my PC.
