Windhawk Tutorial: A Complete Guide to Customizing Windows

If you like tinkering with your PC and customizing it to your liking, Windhawk is going to become one of your best allies for Customize Windows 10 and Windows 11It's not an official Microsoft tool, but precisely for that reason, it allows you to go a step beyond what the system options and other more well-known programs like [program name] allow. power toys.

Throughout this guide you will see What exactly is Windhawk, how do you install it, how do its mods work, and what are the best mods? You can use these features to change everything from the taskbar to the Start menu, notifications, and mouse behavior. It's all explained simply, in Spanish (Spain), and includes practical tips to help you avoid any surprises with your computer.

What is Windhawk and what is it used for?

Windhawk is a free program developed by an independent author (Ramen Software) that It acts as a kind of mod "store" for WindowsInstead of having to touch system files or follow complicated tutorials, this application centralizes all modifications and takes care of applying them for you.

In practice, it works similarly to PowerToys or tools like ThisIsWin11, But Their focus is much more on modifying internal components of Windows and in fundamentally changing the appearance and behavior of elements such as the taskbar, the start menu, or the notification panel.

The mods available for Windhawk are created by the community, so You can find everything from small aesthetic tweaks to profound changes in the interfaceThere are simple modifications, such as adding functions to the mouse click, and more advanced ones, such as reorganizing the taskbar vertically or simulating the macOS dock.

One of the program's strengths is that It's not limited to just customizing the appearanceMany mods also affect the behavior of specific applications (such as Chrome, Edge, or other browsers), add useful shortcuts, or improve details that Microsoft does not allow you to easily adjust.

It should be made clear from the outset that, although Windhawk is quite polished, We are not talking about an official or Microsoft-certified toolThis means there is always some risk of instability or that a mod might cause strange behavior in the system.

How Windhawk works internally

To understand why it is so powerful, you have to take into account that Windhawk injects code into Windows processes like explorer.exeThis allows you to alter how the taskbar is drawn, how the start menu is displayed, or how the interface responds to certain user actions.

Instead of applying permanent patches to system files, Mods operate at runtimeThis has two important advantages: firstly, it is easier to revert the changes simply by disabling the mod; secondly, it reduces the risk of rendering the system unusable due to a failure in a critical file.

Windhawk's own interface functions as a control panel from where downloadsYou install, configure, activate, and deactivate each modYou don't have to copy DLLs or scripts to hidden folders, because the application takes care of managing the technical aspects.

Another very useful feature is that Each mod has its own individual entry with description, version, author, affected system component, and star rating.This way you can get an idea of ​​whether the modification is popular, stable, and maintained by its creator.

This entire system makes Windhawk ideal both for advanced users who want to get the most out of Windows, and for people who He's just starting out in the world of mods and is looking for a more controlled environment. than downloading individual scripts from forums.

Windhawk requirements and limitations

Although Windhawk is designed to integrate without too many complications, It is not compatible with all types of equipment.One of the most relevant factors is the processor architecture.

Currently, the tool It does not work on Windows on ARM systems.This means that if you have a laptop or desktop computer with processors like the Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus found in Copilot+ PCs, you won't be able to use Windhawk, at least for now.

In contrast, on any computer with x86-64 architecture (that is, the vast majority of PCs with processors) Intel or modern AMD) You shouldn't encounter any compatibility limitations.However, it is always recommended to have the most up-to-date version of Windows 10 or 11.

Another point to consider is security and stability. Since mods are developed by third parties, There is always the possibility of errors, conflicts between modifications, or even malicious code appearing., although it is not the norm.

Therefore, it is advisable Always use a good antivirus, check the star ratings of each mod, and prioritize well-known or highly rated authors.This way you significantly reduce the risk of unpleasant surprises.

How to download and install Windhawk step by step

Despite being a mod platform with considerable power under the hood, The Windhawk installation process is as simple as that of any typical Windows program.There's no need to do anything strange or manually touch the register.

The first thing you should do is Access the project's official website and download the installerThey usually offer an executable file in .exe format, clearly identified with the name of the tool.

Once the file has been downloaded, the next step is to Run the .exe file with standard user permissions or as administratoras required by the system. Upon startup, you will see a very familiar installation wizard, similar to those of other desktop programs.

The assistant will guide you through a series of screens where you will have to Select the language, accept the license, specify the installation path, and confirm the file copy.Normally, you just need to keep clicking "Next" until you reach the "Install" button.

In summary, the usual sequence is: Choose language > Next > Next > Install > FinishThe process may take a little longer than usual, as the application downloads some additional components necessary for the mods to work correctly.

When the installer finishes, you will be able to Open Windhawk from the desktop shortcut or the start menuFrom that moment on, you will have the panel at hand from which to manage all the modifications.

How to install and manage mods in Windhawk

The real charm of Windhawk lies in its mods, and using them is surprisingly easy. The application It functions as a hub from which you explore, install, and configure modifications without needing anything external and is especially useful for Customize shortcuts and the taskbar.

Within the interface you will find several key sections, such as the featured modifications or “Mods in Focus” and the “Explore” sectionThis is where virtually all available mods are listed. If you don't see a specific mod on the homepage, you can usually find it using the internal search function by name.

When you're interested in a specific mod, you'll need to go to their details pageThere you will see a description of what it does, possible screenshots, the current version, who created it, what system component it modifies (for example, explorer.exe) and the rating of other users.

To install it, simply press the button “Install” at the top of the mod tabRight after, a security warning usually appears reminding you that the Windhawk developer cannot guarantee 100% the security of every modification.

In that notice, the application explains that the mods have been created by third parties and that, although they are usually reliable and reviewed by the community, They can be potentially dangerous or cause instabilityIf you agree to take that risk, click on “Accept the risk and install” to continue.

After installation, the mod will be added to your list of mods and, in most cases, A "Settings" section will appear from which you can change its configurationIt is almost always from there that specific themes, colors, positions, or behaviors are chosen.

If at any point you notice that the system is behaving strangely, the most practical thing to do is Temporarily disable the mod from Windhawk or uninstall it directly from its pageWith that, in general, everything returns to normal without the need for more drastic measures.

Practical examples of mods for the taskbar and start menu

To see the true potential of Windhawk, it's worth reviewing some specific, very popular mods. especially those that focus on the taskbar and the start menu of Windows 11which is usually where people want to make the most changes. There are also external alternatives and complements such as Taskbar X that pursue similar objectives.

One of the most striking is “Windows 11 Taskbar Styler”This modification allows completely change the visual appearance of the taskbar, applying themes ranging from retro styles to more modern designs or those inspired by others OS.

In this extension, you'll find a list of pre-designed themes that you can select from a drop-down menu. When you choose a new one and click on “Save settings”The taskbar changes immediately without needing to log off or restart the computer (although sometimes it may be advisable to restart explorer.exe).

Among the available styles, there is one that imitates The Windows XP taskbar, with a very nostalgic and casual lookIt's not exactly the most elegant design in the world, but many users find it amusing to see that classic style back in Windows 11.

In addition to choosing themes, many mods of this style include an advanced configuration section. In the case of Taskbar Styler, there is a section called “Control Styles” where it's possible to manually adjust specific design parameters. Typically, the mod creator will explain what each option does in the documentation so you can fine-tune it without experimenting blindly.

In addition to choosing topics, if you're interested in knowing how Install new themes in Windows 11 To combine them with these styles, there are specific guides that help you apply compatible visual packages.

Another interesting mod is “Vertical Taskbar for Windows 11”, whose purpose is Move the taskbar to one side of the screen, in the style of what GNOME offers in distributions Linux like Ubuntu. It's ideal if you prefer to make better use of the width of widescreen monitors.

In this case, it's important to keep in mind that there may be conflicts with other modifications that also affect the taskbar. For example, you might need to Disable Windows 11 Taskbar Styler for the vertical bar to function correctly.Sometimes, it is also necessary to restart the explorer.exe process from the Task Manager so that the change can be fully implemented.

Finally, in the main interface section you have the mod “Windows 11 Start Menu Styler”, designed to change appearance and organize the start menuWith it you can, for example, completely hide the recommendations section and always show the full list of applications.

With just these three mods (Taskbar Styler, Vertical Taskbar and Start Menu Styler) it is already possible to transform the overall look of Windows 11 quite profoundlyAnd yet, they are still just a small sample of everything that is available on the platform.

Other recommended mods to get the most out of Windhawk

In addition to the examples focused on the taskbar and the start menu, Windhawk has a good assortment of mods designed to polish small details from the daily use of Windows. Many of them are extremely useful even though, at first glance, they may seem like minor changes.

One of the most practical is “Click on empty taskbar space”This mod allows you to assign a specific action when clicking on an empty space in the taskbarAmong the available options are showing the desktop, muting or unmuting system sound, or even launching a specific application.

The mod is also very interesting. “Taskbar Clock Customization”. With it, you can fully customize the taskbar clock, using different variables to display the time, date, day of the week or any combination you like.

If you're into customizing the notification area, you should check out “Windows 11 Notification Center Styler”This mod focuses on Change the appearance of the notification centerOffering several predefined themes and a good number of advanced settings for those who want to adjust margins, colors, transparencies and other details.

Another very comfortable classic is “Taskbar Volume Control”, that Enable volume control with the mouse wheel directly on the taskbarSimply by placing the cursor over the bar and moving the wheel, you can raise or lower the sound without having to open the mixer or press additional keys.

For those who work with many windows open, the mod “Taskbar Thumbnail Reorder” It is especially useful. It allows Reorder the thumbnails that appear when you hover over grouped icons in the taskbar.making it easy to always have the windows you use most at hand.

Finally, in the browsers section there is “Chrome/Edge scroll tabs with mouse wheel”, whose objective is Allow switching tabs in Chrome, Edge, Opera, or Brave using the mouse wheelThanks to this modification, you only need to place the cursor over the tab bar and scroll with the wheel to jump from one tab to another very quickly.

All these mods can be Search by name from the “Explore” section of Windhawk or through the search engine on the official websiteIn each case, it is advisable to carefully review the specifications to learn about requirements, potential conflicts, and usage recommendations.

Risks, best practices and safety tips

Although using Windhawk is relatively simple, it's worth remembering a few guidelines. minimize risks and avoid problems with your Windows installationUltimately, we're talking about injecting code into key system processes.

The first thing is to assume that No mod is 100% guaranteedThe program itself warns you about this each time you try to install a modification. Most work well because they've been tested by many users, but there's always the possibility of a bug or unexpected behavior.

To minimize risks, it is best to Give priority to mods with good star ratings and a certain number of downloadsThis usually indicates that other users have used them successfully and that the author takes care to keep them up to date.

Another basic tip is Don't install a bunch of mods all at once.It's best to add them one by one, checking that the system remains stable and that no crashes, forced closures, or strange problems with the desktop or applications appear.

If you detect instabilities, the first step should be temporarily disable the latest installed modsIf everything works fine after doing that, you know where the problem originated. The next step would be to completely uninstall that modification from Windhawk.

In specific cases, especially with mods that heavily affect the taskbar or start menu, it can be useful Restart the explorer.exe process from Task ManagerThis forces Windows to reload the interface without needing to restart the entire computer.

Finally, it's advisable that your team Make sure you're protected with a good antivirus and that you keep Windows updated.Although the Windhawk platform has a fairly active community that reports problems, it's always best to have an extra layer of security against any potential issues. malware disguised as a mod.

Windhawk is a very powerful tool that, when used wisely, It allows you to take Windows customization to a level that the standard options don't offer.As long as you respect some basic safety precautions, you can enjoy all its possibilities without excessively compromising the stability of your PC.