Alternatives to ExplorerPatcher
Brings the Windows 10 taskbar, Start menu and Alt+Tab back to Windows 11, along with a lot of other interface options. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
ExplorerPatcher
Brings the Windows 10 taskbar, Start menu and Alt+Tab back to Windows 11, along with a lot of other interface options.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as ExplorerPatcher.
StartAllBack
Customize the Windows 11 Start menu, taskbar and Explorer interface.
StartAllBack also customizes the Windows 11 Start menu, taskbar and Explorer, but it is paid, closed-source software whose compatibility follows supported Windows builds.
Open-Shell
The continuation of Classic Shell, bringing a classic Start menu and Explorer toolbar back to Windows 7 through 11.
Open-Shell focuses on a classic hierarchical Start menu and Explorer toolbar under the MIT license, but does not restore the Windows 10 taskbar or Alt+Tab.
Start11
Replace the Windows Start menu with customizable layouts and organization.
Start11 is a paid, closed-source Start menu replacement with multiple designs and some taskbar customization, requiring a license after the trial.
Seelen UI
Customize the Windows desktop with replacement interface components.
Seelen UI replaces Windows interface components with its own configurable panels, launching and window-management features under AGPL-3.0, rather than bringing back the Windows 10 look.
Also worth comparing
These listings name ExplorerPatcher as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
7+ Taskbar Tweaker
Change grouping, clicking and other behavior of the classic Windows taskbar.
ExplorerPatcher stays free and GPL-licensed but restores the Windows 10 taskbar on Windows 11 by patching Explorer, so major Windows updates can break it for a while.
Cairo Desktop
Open-source desktop environment for Windows that replaces the standard taskbar and shell.
ExplorerPatcher patches Explorer to restore the Windows 10 taskbar and Start menu on Windows 11, is open source under GPL-2.0, and major Windows updates can break it.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
TranslucentTB
Makes the Windows taskbar transparent, blurred or tinted, and changes it depending on what is on screen.
SmartTaskbar
Hide the Windows taskbar automatically when it overlaps a window.
SecureUxTheme
Load custom Windows visual styles with an in-memory theme patcher.
PowerToys
Microsoft’s own bundle of more than thirty Windows utilities, from window layouts to a key remapper.
