Familiar Windows 10 taskbar, Start menu, and window-switcher styles come back through ExplorerPatcher's settings, opened from the taskbar. It also includes an update panel for checking and installing program updates.
Which interface styles can ExplorerPatcher change?
ExplorerPatcher provides settings for changing how parts of the Windows desktop look and behave. Its Taskbar section includes a style choice for the taskbar, and its Start menu section has a separate style choice. The Window switcher section controls the appearance of the Alt+Tab switcher. These settings let someone bring specific Windows 10 interface patterns back to the desktop without changing every part of the interface at once.
The available settings can vary across Windows versions, so a particular option may not appear on every system.
Taskbar and Start menu settings
Open the taskbar’s Properties window by right-clicking the taskbar. To use the Windows 10 taskbar, go to Taskbar and select that style. The Start menu style is configured separately: open Start menu and choose Windows 10 there. Keeping these controls in separate sections allows the taskbar and Start menu styles to be selected independently.
Alt+Tab and program maintenance
The Window switcher section contains the Alt+Tab style setting. Choosing the Windows 10 style changes the interface shown when switching among open windows. ExplorerPatcher also places update controls in Properties under Updates, where users can configure updates, check for one, and install it.
For removal, the project provides an Uninstall section in Properties. It can also be removed through Windows’ Programs and Features or Apps and features screens. The setup program supports an uninstall command as well.
Pros
- Switches the taskbar to the Windows 10 style
- Offers a Windows 10 Start menu style
- Can set Alt+Tab to the Windows 10 window switcher
- Includes update controls in its Properties window
Cons
- Some features may be unavailable on certain Windows versions
System requirements: Windows 10, Windows 11
What does ExplorerPatcher change?
It provides settings for the taskbar, Start menu, and Alt+Tab window switcher, including Windows 10 styles for those interface elements.
How do I select the Windows 10 taskbar or Start menu style?
Right-click the taskbar and open Properties. Choose Windows 10 in the Taskbar section for the taskbar, or in Start menu for the Start menu.
Where are ExplorerPatcher’s update settings?
Open Properties and select Updates to configure updates, check for one, or install it.