I’ve been using Windows 11 since its beta release. While it’s a solid operating system on its own, I almost can’t use it without installing three apps that give me better customization and features.
1 Rainmeter
One of the best things about Rainmeter is the amount of freedom you get to customize your Windows 11 desktop. You only get a few simple skins to start. However, the community has thousands of free skins available across sources like Deviant Art and the Rainmeter website.
If you want to get extra fancy, you can also create your own custom desktop icons or skins from scratch. This process is a bit more involved and requires coding, as Rainmeter skins are made in a text editor like Notepad++.
But you don’t have to create your own skins to get plenty of use out of Rainmeter. There are thousands of free skins out there, and you can mix and match elements from them to make your perfect desktop.
Rainmeter is free to download, though some creators may charge for their skins.
Download: Rainmeter (Free)
2 Startallback
The second must-have app I always turn to is Startallback. There are a lot of great Start menu replacements out there, but Startallback has become my go-to in recent years.
The main reason for this is the extensive customization it offers. You can configure the Start Menu, Taskbar, and Tray Icons. This app is a great way to get more out of Windows 11’s Start Menu.
Another great thing about Startallback is that you can customize File Explorer to change its user interface and bring back classic context menus. There are other ways to customize File Explorer, including some directly in Windows 11.
However, those options don’t offer as many options as Startallback. The only downside to this app is you only get 100 days of free use before you have to purchase a license to continue using it.
Download: Startallback (Free Trial, $4.99)
3 Minibin
The final app I can’t use Windows 11 without is less of an overhaul and more a quality of life addition. But, it’s still an important addition.
MiniBin is exactly what it sounds like: a mini Recycle Bin for your taskbar. I spend a lot of time on my computer with multiple windows open, so reaching the Recycle Bin isn’t always easy.
Luckily, MiniBin makes it easy, as all I have to do is interact with an icon on the taskbar to clean up old trash files. The icon also updates as the bin fills, which is handy for keeping an eye on things and cleaning up after a big project.
Once installed, you can clean out your Recycle Bin anytime by double-clicking on the icon. You can also customize the icon if you want to add a little more flair.
Download: MiniBin (Free)
None of these apps fundamentally change how Windows 11 works, which is a big part of why I love them. You still get to customize a lot about the operating system. However, it never stops feeling like the Windows you already know.
