Start11 AlternativesOnly apps categorised as System Tweakers

The best System Tweaker alternative to Start11 is Windhawk, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Start11 and six of them are System Tweakers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting System Tweaker alternatives to Start11 are Open Shell, Classic Shell, ExplorerPatcher and WindowBlinds.

filter to find the best alternatives

Start11 alternatives are mainly System Tweakers, but if you're looking for Shell Extensions you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Start11.
Start11 iconStart11
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  • ...

Personalizes Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows, with styles, color changes, tabs, and icon modifications. Adds functionalities and restores features.

More about Start11
More about Start11
Start11 alternatives page was last updated Apr 28, 2025
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  1. Windhawk icon

    Windhawk

     37 likes
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    The customization marketplace for Windows programs. Customize your programs with available code snippets or create your own customizations.

    11 Windhawk alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • IL flagIsrael

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windhawk screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  System Tweaker
    2. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    3.  No registration required
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Customize Windows
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Portable

    Windhawk VS Start11

     

    • Windhawk is the most popular Windows alternative to Start11.

    • Windhawk is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Start11.

    • Windhawk is Free and Open SourceStart11 is Paid and Proprietary
    • Windhawk is Lightweight and Privacy focusedStart11 is not according to our users
  2. Open Shell icon

    Open Shell

     100 likes
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    Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start menu to modern versions of Microsoft Windows.

    39 Open Shell alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Open Shell screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  System Tweaker
    4. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    5.  Make Taskbar Transparent
    6.  Ad-free

    Open Shell VS Start11

     
  4. Classic Shell icon

    Classic Shell

     209 likes
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    Classic Shell is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows, and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it.

    29 Classic Shell alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • BG flagBulgaria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Explorer Settings
    Discontinued

    The developer announced that Classic Shell will be no longer developed because Windows 10 is updated too frequently and because Microsoft is making more difficult to customize Windows: http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8147 Last version, 4.3.1, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website, together with the source code.

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  Customize Windows
    4.  Multiple languages

    Classic Shell VS Start11

     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    WindowBlinds icon
    WindowBlinds

    Customize Windows 10 and 11 with skins for Start menu and taskbar. Includes SkinStudio for designing skins, offering personalized fonts, and color and transparency adjustments.

    https://www.stardock.com
    Learn More

  6. ExplorerPatcher

     29 likes
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    This project aims to bring back a productive working environment on Windows 11. Choose between Windows 11 or Windows 10 taskbar (with labels support, small icons and lots of customization) and a lot more.

    4 ExplorerPatcher alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • RO flagRomania
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Windows 10 Taskbar on Windows 11, also a solution to make EverythingToolbar wokring again, also works for TaskbarX and so on~

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  System Tweaker
    2.  Customize Windows
    3. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    4.  Portable
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Patch Management

    ExplorerPatcher VS Start11

     
    Comments about ExplorerPatcher as an Alternative to Start11
    Guest
    Positive Feb 14, 2024
    0

    Allowed me to put my taskbar at the top of the screen. That is all I wanted.

    Start11 Icon
    • ExplorerPatcher is Free and Open SourceStart11 is Paid and Proprietary
    • ExplorerPatcher is Privacy focused and LightweightStart11 is not according to our users
  7. WindowBlinds icon

    WindowBlinds

     18 likes
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    Customize Windows 10 and 11 with skins for Start menu and taskbar. Includes SkinStudio for designing skins, offering personalized fonts, and color and transparency adjustments.

    39 WindowBlinds alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    WindowBlinds screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Skins
    3.  Themes

    WindowBlinds VS Start11

     
  8. Start8 icon

    Start8

     30 likes
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    Return the Start Button to Windows 8 With these features:

    • Search for Windows 8-style (Modern UI) apps
    • Pin desktop and Metro apps to the start menu
    • Jump List support
    • Unified Search for apps, settings and files
    • Boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop
    • One click access to.
    26 Start8 alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Start8 screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The program is only for Windows 8 and no longer updated. For Windows 10 or 11, Stardock offers Start11 icon Start11

    Start8 VS Start11

     
6 of 6 Start11 alternatives