Bring back Windows 11's missing features with this free app

This free program restores Windows' taskbar labels and more

- JARED NEWMAN

If you're accustomed to longtime Windows creature comforts such as the "Never combine" taskbar (fave.co/3]lxpcU), upgrading to Windows 11 can be a big adjustment. Microsoft changed or eliminated a lot of those features (fave.co/3MKARbu) in pursuit of a more modern, streamlined interface, and in doing so made it harder for some of us to get work done.

But it doesn't have to be that way. With a free, open-source program called Explorer Patcher (fave.co/3Oes2aQ), you can bring back many older features of Windows without missing out on Windows 11's benefits. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and it is brimming with options that can improve your Windows 11 workflow.

Here’s how to get started.

INSTALLING EXPLORER PATCHER

Explorer Patcher is a free download on the developer’s GitHub page (fave.co/ 3Oes2aQ), though the actual download link is a bit buried.

To find it, scroll down to the How To section (fave.co/42VADDs) and click the link to “setup program.” Or just use this direct download link (fave.co/41MPAqv). Once you’ve downloaded the EXE file, just double-click it to install.

Quick disclaimer: Microsoft has previously warned against using Explorer Patcher due to a bug that at one point prevented devices from starting up (fave. co/3BxGaEH). While Explorer Patcher quickly resolved this issue, using any program that drastically modifies the core Windows interface carries some risk, especially if you don’t regularly back up your data (fave.co/3OjP0xs).

Still on board? Let’s walk through all the things Explorer Patcher can do.