How to customize Windows with ThisIsWin11: tricks, modules, and alternatives

If you like to customize Windows 11 but get lost among menus and hidden options, ThisIsWin11 is exactly what you've been looking for: a free and open-source utility that brings together a host of system settings, automations, and bloatware removal tools in a single window. Its simple interface and all-in-one approach allow you to personalize, tweak, and optimize Windows 11 without driving yourself crazy.

Besides changing the appearance or activating useful features, ThisIsWin11 lets you install and uninstall applications in bulk, review privacy and telemetry, and even run scripts for advanced tasks. It speeds up tasks and, for many, is the true "PowerToys" that Windows 11 was missing.

What is ThisIsWin11 and why is it worth it?

ThisIsWin11 is a free, portable, community-driven project (no installation required) created to centralize a wide variety of Windows 11 settings. Its philosophy is clear: fewer clicks and more control. It integrates modules to customize the interface, clean up pre-installed applications, install popular software in just a few steps, and automate tasks with PowerShell scripts.

In practice, it goes far beyond visual tweaks : you can disable telemetry, fine-tune privacy settings, disable features like Snap Assist if you don't need them, force dark mode in apps, revert system apps if you change your mind, or create custom installation packages. All of this is accompanied by a "change preview" system so you know what will be changed before applying anything.

The suite includes components such as GetStarted (a guided tour of the new features in Windows 11), OpenTweaks (the spiritual successor to the classic TweakUI), PumpedApp (an uninstaller to get rid of bloatware), administrator packages, PowerUI (automation via scripts), and an extension system for creating your own tweaks . For many tech-savvy users, it's "the real PowerToys" that was missing from the new Windows.

Download and prepare the tool safely

Being portable, using it is as simple as downloading the TIW11.zip file from its official GitHub repository, extracting it, and running ThisIsWin11.exe. It's ideal for technicians , which is great for those who customize multiple computers.

Keep two things in mind: it only works on Windows 11 (not Windows 10) and it's in English, with no option to change the language, although it's easy to understand. If you see a Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warning when you open it for the first time, click on "More info" and then on "Run anyway" to launch it. False positives are common with independent software.

The interface features a side panel with modules and "Next/Previous" arrows for navigating. The first thing you'll see is a welcome screen with two ways to work: follow the wizard step by step or go directly to the module you're interested in . Before doing anything, it's recommended to create a restore point from within the app itself to ensure everything is working correctly.

Key components and modules

ThisIsWin11 includes several tools, each focused on a specific purpose, offering efficient integration so you can perform multiple tasks in just a few clicks.

GetStarted

This module expands on Microsoft's "Get Started" app and functions as a guided tour of the new features in Windows 11: Start menu , notification center, Explorer, Microsoft Store, etc. You can preview or jump directly to the corresponding system element, ideal if you're new to Windows or want to review changes at your leisure.

Customize / System (OpenTweaks)

The heart of customization. OpenTweaks groups settings by category (Personalization, System, Games, Privacy, App Permissions, Updates) and lets you see at a glance what's active and what you could change. It includes a "Check" option to analyze the settings and suggest changes , very useful if you don't know where to start.

After the analysis, you'll see the detected items with checked boxes, ready to be applied. You can enable or disable each option as you wish, and then click "Fix Issues" to apply the changes. Restore Defaults will revert to factory settings at any time if you're not satisfied with the result.

Among the most popular changes: enabling dark mode for everything, disabling Snap Assist, adjusting animations, hiding Explorer items, enabling extensions and hidden files , or limiting telemetry to improve privacy. OpenTweaks takes the place of the classic PowerToys TweakUI and, frankly, does so admirably.

Apps (PumpedApp) and the bloatware “trash can”

The Apps module is your Swiss Army knife for getting rid of what you don't use. You select the apps (pre-installed or not) and send them to an internal bin called "Recycle Bin." You can do this one by one with "Move selected" or all at once with "Move all ," and if you change your mind, you can restore them with "Restore selected" or "Restore all."

A very useful feature is the ability to import a recommended bloatware list from the three-dot menu (“Import bloatware list”). Importing bloatware lists saves you the trouble of deciding what to remove: simply select the items, empty the recycle bin with “Empty Recycle Bin,” and you're done. This feature makes it incredibly easy to get rid of Camera, Alarm, and other pre-installed apps that you'll likely never open.

Packages (quick software installation)

This module lets you create installation packages with commonly used apps , using the Microsoft package manager (Winget). Select the software you want, click "Create Package," and run it with "Run Installer." For administrators, there are also custom package options that make it easy to deploy a fixed set of tools across multiple computers.

Essentially, it's like having a curated and straightforward mini app store: no ads, no fuss, and with official repositories . Perfect after a clean Windows 11 installation.

Automate and PowerUI (scripted automation)

When you need to go a step further, Automate comes into play. Here you can run PowerShell scripts to enable features, schedule tasks, and perform complex actions. It includes access to a Script Editor to create your own routines or adapt those from the community.

Practical examples include: enabling dark mode in apps, installing or uninstalling applications, reinstalling all built-in system apps, removing OneDrive from Windows 11 , updating Microsoft Store apps you want, forcing the maximum performance power plan, or adjusting privacy and telemetry settings in third-party applications like Chrome, Google Update, or Dropbox. With extensions, you can even apply special settings (such as restoring classic context menus or disabling TPM 2.0 checking in certain scenarios).

Tips, compatibility and best practices

Before making significant changes, it's advisable to create a restore point from the Settings module itself. A restore point is an excellent safety net in case something doesn't go as planned, especially when you're modifying telemetry, services, or system policies.

Remember that ThisIsWin11 is designed for Windows 11 and cannot be used on Windows 10. Its author even announced that he would not be updating the project for a while, but multiple builds keep the tool working correctly. In any case, it's wise to proceed step by step and review what each change modifies.

In real-world tests performed on Windows 11 Pro version 21H2 (build 22000.469), the application performed stably and its modules responded well. The initial check helps quickly identify areas for optimization , and together with "Fix Issues" and "Restore Defaults," it's easy to proceed without losing control.

Finally, always download from GitHub to avoid modified versions and run the .exe file from its extracted folder. Click "More information" . And, if you work with multiple computers, carrying it on a USB drive avoids repeating setup tasks.

Other recommended tools for tuning Windows 11

If you want to complete the setup, there are highly rated utilities that cover specific aspects of the system. Completing the setup in conjunction with ThisIsWin11 allows you to fine-tune visual details, productivity, and control.

• PowerToys (Microsoft): Free, open-source suite with macOS-like fast finder, color picker, keyboard remapping, Always on Top, and more.
• StartAllBack: Restores full context menus, drag and drop to taskbar, Start/Toolbar/Explorer style layouts Windows 7, 10 or 11, move the bar to any edge, and return to the classic search box in Explorer.
• Start11 (Stardock): Four Start menu styles (Win7, Modern, Win10, and Win11 with more controls), option to move the bar up or down. It's a paid app (approx. $5,99) with a trial version.
• open shell: Successor to Classic Shell for customizing the Start menu (XP, 7, 8, 10 styles), taskbar color, and a comprehensive ribbon for Explorer. Note: In Windows 11, the Start button may overlap the original; Using Explorer Patcher, StartAllBack or RetroBar fixes it.
• Explorer Patcher: Windows 10 or 11 taskbar with drag and drop, full right-click menus, customizable window switcher/Alt-Tab (even NT style), separate network/sound icons like in Win10, Win10 Explorer ribbon, Windows 7-like search box and option to remove rounded corners.
• Rounded TB- Rounds taskbar corners, enables margins and tiling, and even floating dock behavior. Free in the Microsoft Store.
• winaero tweaker: A collection of registry tweaks with a unified interface: colors, border and title bar sizes, menus, sound, and general behavior. Free.
• File App: Alternative UWP browser with tabs, labels, dual-pane layout, previews, cloud detection, and themes. More intuitive and compatible with mouse or touch. Free in the Microsoft Store.
• lively-wallpaperAnimated backgrounds with GIFs, videos, or web pages; you can adjust the brightness, speed, zoom, and overlay color. Free in the Microsoft Store.
• bewidgets- Place custom widgets on your desktop (weather, clock, stocks, shortcuts) and hide official ones. Free on the Microsoft Store.
• Ultimate Windows Tweaker: Over 200 settings (privacy, security, performance, context, search), also customizes the taskbar (battery, date/time, volume, frequently used folders, etc.). Free.
• TweakNow PowerPack- System behavior oriented (not appearance): 100+ hidden tweaks, registry cleaner, RAM optimizer, profiles for virtual desktops, startup manager and CPU resource allocation. Paid (approx. $8,99).
• Windows 11 Classic Context Menu- Bring back the classic context menu if the new one doesn't suit you.
• Taskbar Tweaker: Advanced taskbar settings, many not even exposed in the registry.
• Retro Bar: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP style taskbar, ideal if you like retro.
• Rainmeter y Fences: Desktop widgets and visual organization for a clean and functional desktop.
• Eartrumpet, Modern Flyouts, Traffic Monitor, battery mode: App-based volume control, modern overlay for brightness/sound, CPU/RAM/network monitor, and power/brightness profiles.
• MS Edge Redirect: Respect your default browser by redirecting what Windows wants to open in Edge.
• Greenshot: Quick and easy screenshots for everyday use.
• power toys y Windows Auto Dark Mode: Essential toolbox and automatic light/dark switching (Win10/Win11).

If you miss "drag and drop to the taskbar," there are small utilities that fix this in Windows 11. StartAllBack and Explorer Patcher resolve many of these usability issues without having to touch the registry.

Useful extra: ColorControl for your monitor and TV

Although not a component of ThisIsWin11, ColorControl is worth mentioning if you want to fine-tune your display or TV settings. It allows you to change NVIDIA and AMD settings (color depth 6–16 bpc, RGB/YUV, refresh rate, dithering, HDR ) and save them as presets with global keyboard shortcuts.

For NVIDIA cards, there are extras such as choosing the dynamic range (full VESA RGB or limited CEA), color space, and dithering mode (temporal or spatial, with bit depth selection ). Remember to include only what you want to apply in the preset by checking the "Include" option.

If you have a recent LG TV (2018 or later; it may work with earlier models), you can control it from your PC over your local network: the app detects it and will ask for authorization on screen the first time. You can also add it manually by IP address ( MAC for Wake-On-LAN) and schedule it to turn on when your PC starts/resumes, or to turn off when you suspend/activate the screensaver.

Presets allow for sequences of steps: remote control “buttons” (left, right, OK), direct picture “actions” (backlight, contrast, mode), or chaining NVIDIA/AMD presets . You can even set “triggers” to activate when processes are detected on your PC. If Windows doesn't detect your TV, add it from “Settings > Devices > Add Bluetooth or other device > Everything else” and verify that it appears in Device Manager under “Digital media devices.” If you see WinPcap errors, install Npcap in compatibility mode. ColorControl is from Maassoft.

Final tips and practical notes

To customize system icons, you can use the internal libraries: %systemroot%\system32\imageres.dll and %systemroot%\system32\shell32.dll . There you'll find a good collection without relying on external packs.

If you work with context menus, Start menu styles, or the Explorer ribbon, combining tools like Open-Shell and Explorer Patcher yields excellent results. Explorer Patcher or StartAllBack fix Start button overlays by temporarily reverting to the Windows 10 taskbar.

And if you're all about automation, remember that ThisIsWin11 can also run community scripts from PowerUI. Community collections maintain useful routines for refining privacy, performance, and user experience without wasting hours navigating through menus.

However, ThisIsWin11 gives you fine-tuned and fast control over Windows 11: visual customization with OpenTweaks, bloatware removal with its reversible recycle bin, express application installation with Packages, and automations with Automate/PowerUI. Use it wisely (restore points, incremental changes) and combine it with utilities like StartAllBack, Explorer Patcher, or PowerToys to get your computer just the way you like it. For a secure download, go to its official repository on GitHub and always keep the portable version on your USB drive.

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Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.