With clean lines, softly rounded edges, and a simple, refined aesthetic, Windows 11 is one of Microsoft’s proudest operating systems. While there’s an entire team of engineers tasked with making Windows 11 look as good as possible, it can still feel a bit dull.
If that’s what you’re thinking, head over to Start11, a powerful tool for customizing your Windows Start menu and taskbar. Take inspiration from Google Chrome OS and revolutionize your Windows Start and taskbar experience.
How to download and install Start11
To get started, visit the Start11 download page and click the link to download a free 30-day trial. After downloading, run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation. You need to enter your email address and verify it to activate the 30-day free trial.
Once Start11 is installed, up and running, it will prompt you to choose left or center alignment.You can choose one of two ways to close the popup, this will change later. You will now enter the Start11 main screen where you will configure most of the settings.
How to make the Start menu look like ChromeOS with Start11
Before we go ahead and start customizing the Start Menu with Start11, there is one setting that needs to be changed in Windows Settings to make this happen and really tie it all together. The Windows theme will change to Dark. If you don’t like Windows 11’s built-in dark theme, you can also check out the best Windows 11 dark themes to customize your desktop.
To do this, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Themes and set the current theme to Dark.
Once that’s done, you’re ready to start customizing the ChromeOS interface. For starters, in the Start Menu tab on the Start11 home screen, perform the following configuration options:
- Windows 11 Style (selected).
- Use the Start11 Start Menu (on).
Next, click on the Configuration menu banner, which will navigate you to Start Menu > Configuration. Scroll down to the Advanced section and make the following configuration settings:
- Show recently added apps (disabled).
- Show recent documents (off).
- The shortcut icon should be resized.
- Use full screen menus (on).
- The start menu should open showing a list of all programs (closed).
- Hide the folder from the recent documents list (off).
The remaining settings on this page can be left at their default values or turned off. Next, scroll up a bit and click Customize Menu Visual Appearance. Make the following configuration settings:
- Use auto colors (off) for start menu.
- Then click Select Color and enter the following RGB values: 6, 41, 183.
- Make menu font bigger or smaller (150% of original size).
- Adjust the transparency of the menu (80% solid color).
Finally, scroll to the bottom and make the following configuration settings:
- Use custom menu background (open) and select img104.
- Transparency (60% solids).
- Click Settings > Pick texture color and enter the same RBG values as before: 6, 41, 183.
How to make the Start button look like ChromeOS with Start11
Next, we’ll tackle the Windows Start button. Fortunately, this is easy, all the necessary configuration is located in the same tab of Start11. To get started, click the Start button tab and make the following configuration settings:
- Use a custom start button image (above).
- Select Arsenic Orb from the drop-down list, as this option is almost identical to the ChromeOS application launcher.
In the “How do you want to configure the taskbar” section, select Left Home button and Center-aligned taskbar button from the drop-down menus.
How to make the Taskbar look like ChromeOS with Start11
Proceed to customize the taskbar. Click the Taskbar tab and make the following configuration settings:
- Let Start11 enhance the taskbar (above).
- Taskbar buttons should be grouped (always).
In the Taskbar Blur, Transparency, and Colors banner, make the following configuration settings:
- Blur the wallpaper under the taskbar (above).
- Use auto color for taskbar (off).
- Then click Color and enter the following RGB values: 6, 41, 183.
- Adjust the transparency of the taskbar (40% solid color).
From the taskbar right-click menu, make the following configuration settings:
- Show Win+X menu when right-clicking the Start button instead of Start11 (Open).
Next, scroll up a bit and select More Start11 Taskbar Settings, make sure the following configuration options are set:
- Allow taskbar to be resized (turned on).
- Vertically center the taskbar button (close).
- Always hide the text on the button regardless of the group state (open).
Once everything is configured, you should have a nice screen that looks clean and Google ChromeOS-like. Additionally, the Start button will return to its familiar location on the left side of the taskbar.
When you click Start, you’ll be greeted with a great, full-screen Start menu that has been stripped down to remove all unnecessary features, such as nearby documents and recently added apps. this. This Start menu still gives you access to all your apps with a single click. You also get keyboard shortcuts for quick access to your personal folders, Windows settings, and Control Panel.
Conclusion
In just a few minutes, you can completely turn your Windows Start menu and taskbar into something like ChromeOS. If you dig a little deeper into Start11, you’ll have tons of options to do everything from bringing back the Windows 7 and Windows 10-style Start menu to changing how the default search behavior works in Windows. If you are a person who likes to customize Windows, then you cannot miss Start11.