How to Customize Windows 11: Complete Guide for Beginners (2024)

Personalize Your Desktop Background and Colors

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=personalize+your+desktop+background&tag=filsdu2025-20

Right-click on your desktop and select 'Personalize' or navigate to Settings > Personalization. Here you can choose from preset themes or select your own background image. Click 'Background' and choose between picture, solid color, or slideshow. For a custom image, click 'Browse' to select from your files. Under 'Colors,' you can pick an accent color that will appear throughout Windows, or let Windows automatically select one based on your background. Enable 'Dark mode' or 'Light mode' to change the overall appearance of windows and apps.

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=right&tag=filsdu2025-20

Customize the Start Menu

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=customize+start+menu&tag=filsdu2025-20

Open Settings > Personalization > Start to modify your Start menu layout. You can choose to show or hide recently added apps, most used apps, and recently opened items. Click 'Folders' to select which shortcuts appear beside the power button. To resize the Start menu, hover over its edges when open and drag to adjust. Pin your favorite apps by right-clicking them and selecting 'Pin to Start.' Arrange pins by dragging and dropping them into your preferred order.

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=open+settings&tag=filsdu2025-20

Configure the Taskbar

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=configure+taskbar&tag=filsdu2025-20

Navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar to customize its appearance and functionality. Choose which icons appear in the corner of your taskbar, adjust its alignment (left or center), and select which system icons to display. You can also enable or disable features like widgets, chat, and task view. To add quick launch apps, simply drag them from the Start menu or desktop to the taskbar.

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=navigate+settings&tag=filsdu2025-20

Set Up Widgets and Quick Settings

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=set+up+widgets+quick&tag=filsdu2025-20

Click the widgets icon on the taskbar or press Win + W to access the widgets panel. Click the 'Add widgets' button to customize your widget selection. For Quick Settings, click the system tray area (WiFi, Volume, Battery icons) or press Win + A. Click the pencil icon to edit Quick Settings. Add or remove shortcuts for frequently used settings like Bluetooth, Night light, or Focus assist.

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=click+widgets+icon+taskbar&tag=filsdu2025-20