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[cormack12]

I remember you could get proper shell replacements and everything. Is there anything cool like this for Win 11 to make it less bland?

 

[Omega Supreme Holopsicon]

I remember you could get proper shell replacements and everything. Is there anything cool like this for Win 11 to make it less bland?

Functionality wise there is power toys.

Themes, not sure if there's anything beyond dark theme.

But a cool app for looks is wallpaper engine in steam

 

[West Texas CEO]

Just use Linux bro.

 

[jason10mm]

Is there a LCARS skin for win11?

 

[kruis]

StartAllBack

 

[Tams]

StartAllBack or Start 11 for taskbars and start menu.

Windows Blinds is still around. Other Stardock programmes work well too.

Rainmeter is still a thing too.

Is there a LCARS skin for win11?

There's an app on the Windows store that can go fullscreen and has a functioning file manager, music player, etc.

Just use Linux bro.

Don't bother with this OP. Most of the Linux stuff is just people suggesting changing your desktop design by installing a whole fresh OS install. The only noticeable difference between most distros is just the same few desktop environments. You end up noticing how they are not very varied after a while.

tl;dr: Windows Blinds if you want a minor makeover. Rainmeter a major one.

 

[Faust]

StartAllBack/Start 11 and RainMeter are the best tools to do what you suggest, but honestly I would just go with Linux these days. Far more customization and without the pointless bloat/greed from MS OS design.

 

[Roxkis_ii]

Hey OP, I just was looking into the same thing.

Here's what helped me:

How to install Windows 10 or 11 Themes by niivu on DeviantArt

www.deviantart.com

I highly recommend using SecureUXTheme to patch your system. (the other patcher can make your profile unusable if MS updates Windows a certen way (happened to me twice).

Also some windows 11 visual styles by the same person:

niivu User Profile | DeviantArt

www.deviantart.com

I use everforest Windows 11 with the firefox skin, it also has a StartAllBack skin to complete the look.

Edit: Don't buy Windows Blinds 11. It works, but it only has old windows xp chucky themes in their theme library (Steam return policy for the win!)

 

[Trilobit]

I really love Rocket Dock. I even donated some money for it. I got W11 a few months ago and was not very happy, but RD helped make it feel more flexible.

Also take a look at Powertoys!

 

[LordOfChaos]

Use LeDragoX Win-Debloat-Tools, default profile for a laptop was good for me and I turned on the visual performance preset too. Man, it feels snappier than ever, non-meme like. It turned off all the telemetry and phoning home and bing in the search menu, which has fucked up search performance ever since it peaked in 7. It works as fast as I think, really no waiting on animations.

 

[wvnative]

StartAllBack

 

[IFireflyl]

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Don't bother with this OP. Most of the Linux stuff is just people suggesting changing your desktop design by installing a whole fresh OS install. The only noticeable difference between most distros is just the same few desktop environments. You end up noticing how they are not very varied after a while.

Many linux desktops are customizable. It's not just changing the DE, it's working on it to make it look and work like you want it too. KDE is well known as being super flexible in this regard, but even Gnome can be tossed around and back.

Feel free to peruse https://www.reddit.com/r/unixporn/ for ideas: some of the people posting will even share their dotfiles will you.

 

[Tams]

Many linux desktops are customizable. It's not just changing the DE, it's working on it to make it look and work like you want it too. KDE is well known as being super flexible in this regard, but even Gnome can be tossed around and back.

Feel free to peruse https://www.reddit.com/r/unixporn/ for ideas: some of the people posting will even share their dotfiles will you.

Frankly, they all look the same.

Most use of Linux outside of business is either 'customising' DE's or compiling your own browser (a stupid waste of time).

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Frankly, they all look the same.

Most use of Linux outside of business is either 'customising' DE's or compiling your own browser (a stupid waste of time).

People use it as their personal workstation/general computer, ricing the desktop is just a bonus some people enjoy. Others go minimalistic with tiling desktops. Gaming too, since proton is a thing.

However, I feel we won't see eye to eye about this, so agree to disagree?

 

[Laieon]

StartAllBack

Yep, StartAllBack, Start 11, or precursors to them have been instant downloads for me on every computer since Windows 8 (that was the one that pushed tiles and a UI that was clearly designed for tablets first, right?).

 

[FateTrap]

I have tried to theme windows many times, but I have found that the majority of the themes or apps to customize your desktop undermine the stability of your system.

In Linux, I have never experienced this kind of problem with any desktop environment or window manager. You have many choices in this area:

Desktop environment - ArchWiki

wiki.archlinux.org

Window manager - ArchWiki

wiki.archlinux.org

I personally use LXQt which is very similar to windows 7 in workflow.