Windows 11 is available for everyone with a long list of limitations and missing features.
The big feature update is currently available for download as an optional update and if you've already upgraded to the new operating system, you can try some new third-party programs to customize the experience and get the most out of Windows 11
Enable drag and drop
Windows 11 doesn't come with support for taskbar drag and drop, and this feature won't arrive in the production builds until at least the second half of 2022, according to Microsoft officials.
Thankfully, an independent developer has created a new open-source app that lets you quickly enable drag and drop support on Windows 11.
To get started, simply download and run the app from Github.
To exit this program, click on the Mona Lisa Megan Fox Tray icon and select "Quit..." from the menu. Or just kill Windows11DragAndDropToTaskbarFix.exe using the Task Manager.
ThisisWindows11
Windows 11 is essentially Windows 10 with a new design, so it also comes with the same bloatware problem. Bloatware can be the apps installed by OEM and Microsoft.
Like Windows 10, Windows 11 also allows users to manually remove apps from the Settings or Control Panel. But if you want to quickly delete all bloatware from your system, you can try a new open-source app called ThisIsWin11. This app basically lets you customize advanced and basic features of the operating system and disable Windows 11 features like Microsoft Teams integration on the taskbar.
The app currently comes with the following features:
- Basic settings: It allows you to quickly configure the basic settings of Windows 11.
- PumpedApp: You can check and optimize Windows 11 by making changes to the PowerThrottling.
- Bloatware: This will feature will allow you to remove the pre-installed Windows 11 apps.
- Quickly install apps using packages.
- PowerClicks: This allows you to automate Windows tasks using PowerShell scripts.
Apparently, you can also use the app to automate tasks or run PowerShell scripts. At the same time, you can use it to install, uninstall or reinstall apps. You can even enable ultimate performance mode, which requires a change to Windows Registry.
The tool is available on Github.
Start11
Start11 was recently released to help users customize the appearance of the Start Menu and even restore the classic interface. Start11 is compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10, and it can be used to recreate the interface from previous versions of the operating system.
With Start11, you can even get a Windows 11-like Start menu on Windows 10. At the same time, Start11 comes with several features for Windows 11 customization. For example, you can use it to move the Start button and customize the interface of the Start Menu.
The app comes currently with the following features:
- Return your Start menu to the left side of your screen.
- Dark mode for a sleek look
- You can choose a style and theme for your Start menu. For example, you can return to the familiar Windows 7 style Start.
- Customize your taskbar by adding texture or adjusting transparency.
The tool is currently in beta and it costs $4.99 (free trial available), and it will eventually get more customization options.
You can download the app from here.
Lively Wallpaper
Lively Wallpaper has been updated with a new codebase and support for Windows 11. With this free open-source app, you can enable dynamic desktop background on Windows 11.
Lively Wallpaper is open-source and it lets you turn video, GIF, and HTML into Windows desktop wallpaper.
With this app, you can select the following formats as your desktop wallpaper:
- Video
- Webpages
- Video Streams
- Shaders
- GIFs
You can download Lively from Github.
Comments
GT500 - 2 years ago
FYI: ThisIsWin11 is made by a developer who's website is blocked by Malwarebytes (link is at the bottom of the main Github page).
Granted this is probably a false positive, as I can't actually find anything listed on VirusTotal about malware at that domain.
yawnshard - 2 years ago
(Disclaimer: Random rant about safety, not all parts a reply to your comment)
I always found such tools are gatekeeping absolute trivial 1-liners you can set yourself in registry or powershell:
https://github.com/builtbybel/ThisIsWin11/blob/main/src/TIW11/Modules/OpenTweaks/Assessments/Privacy/Advertising.cs#L10
Do I need a tool for this? NO.
Is it hard for an old dad to do this? Yes.
Solution: Supply these fixes via standard .REG and .PS1 files, so people interested can look first what they run. Still don't get what I mean?
Well, in the age of supply chain attacks I don't want to read 200 C# files just to be sure the dev didn't have their github hacked, phished or whatever and a formerly legit tool COULD not be peddling malware.
Hard pass to all black box windows "tweaks" that require insane amounts of code review. As good and noble the intentions may be to make it accessible to average Joes.
GT500 - 2 years ago
I actually keep my own batch file for uninstalling Microsoft Store apps that are bundled with Windows 10. Unfortunately not everything can be removed, however it's still nice to know how to do it yourself.
yawnshard - 2 years ago
Yes I agree, love these (especially self-written) on a small portable drive after setting up a machine. And if you share these with people to help them, hopefully "right click & run as admin" is still in their skillset.
GT500 - 2 years ago
Most of my batch files that need admin rights will relaunch if they don't have them, and display a UAC prompt.
DrkKnight - 2 years ago
StartAllBack is a MUCH better start menu replacement option than Start11
GT500 - 2 years ago
Agreed. I enjoy StartIsBack on Windows 10, and find it much more efficient than other alternatives.
Keep in mind though that StartIsBack and StartAllBack are made by a Russian developer/business (at least as far as I am aware), and there may be some legal issues with purchasing software from a business in Russia or monetary transactions to accounts held by people/businesses in Russia right now.
Winston2021 - 2 years ago
"Keep in mind though that StartIsBack and StartAllBack are made by a Russian developer/business"
And keep in mind that there would be no demand for potentially risky adds-ons if there was no significant user demand for that... but Microsoft doesn't give a crap. The only thing that will lead to significant Win 11 adoption is the hardware requirement which obsoletes perfectly serviceable hardware.
GT500 - 2 years ago
Windows Update is driving Windows 11 adoption. I know a lot of people who upgraded just because Windows Update offered it as an "upgrade". I also know people who did it because they wanted "the latest and greatest", and they were probably too high to remember Microsoft's track record.
Winston2021 - 2 years ago
And on the hardware obsoleting issue of Win11 which is forced by the ending of security updates for Win10, how is that NOT illegal? There should be an option to allow installation on systems that don't have the required CPU features.