Last Updated on July 10, 2026
If you have been using Windows 11 for any amount of time and have come from a computer running Windows 10, then you have most likely noticed that you cannot customize or personalize Windows 11 as much as you could with Windows 10. This is especially true when it comes to the start menu and taskbar.
One thing that is nice about Windows 11 is the changes to File Explorer which ihttp://10: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RZDL5CPs used to manage your files and folders. We now have the ability to use things like tabs to have multiple folders open at the same time within one File Explorer window. But if you are the type who is not happy with File Explorer, at least when it comes to how it looks, we will be showing you how to customize the Windows 11 File Explorer appearance.
To do so, we will be using the free Windhawk app. Windhawk is used to customize various aspects of how Windows looks and functions. This is done by adding mods to the Windhawk after you install it. The first step in the process is to download and install Windhawk which can be obtained from their website here.
Installing the File Explorer Styler Mod
1. Search for the Modification
Once you have Windhawk up and running, you can go to the Explore section and do a search for Windows 11 File Explorer Styler in the search box. Then you can click on the Details button. This opens the specific modification page so you can read the developer notes and user reviews.
2. Install the Mod Files
From the details screen, you need to click on the blue Install button. The software will download the necessary code injection files directly to your local drive. This process usually finishes in just a few seconds.
3. Accept the Security Warning
Every time you install a mod in Windhawk, you will be shown a warning that says to proceed with care. You will need to click on the Accept Risk and Install button to continue. Poorly written mods can cause system instability. Always check the user ratings before installing unknown tweaks.
4. Open the Mod Settings
Once the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod is installed, you can go to the Settings tab to choose one of the File Explorer appearance options. This drop-down menu contains all the available visual themes. You can switch between these themes at any time to test different layouts.
Exploring the Custom Appearance Themes
1. The Normal View
This will leave File Explorer as is and will not make any changes to its default appearance. As you can see, you have the tabs, the address bar and search box, and the command bar. This command bar is where you find the New button as well as the cut, copy and paste icons.
2. The Minimal Explorer 11 View
This view will remove the address bar and command bar entirely. It leaves you only with tabs at the very top of the File Explorer window. This creates a highly clean and distraction-free interface for managing basic files.
3. The Tabless View
This will remove the ability to use tabs in File Explorer but leave everything else exactly as is. Many users prefer this classic layout. It forces every new folder to open in a completely separate window just like older versions of Windows.
4. The No Command Bar View
This will remove the command bar which has your file action shortcuts such as cut, copy, paste and delete. It will leave the tabs and address bar intact though. You will need to rely on keyboard shortcuts or right-click context menus for your file operations.
5. The MicaBar View
This does not make too big of a change to the File Explorer appearance. It only makes the address bar section match the command bar when it comes to their color. This creates a more unified and seamless visual blend across the top navigation area.
Reverting File Explorer to Default Settings
1. Disable or Remove the Mod
If you no longer want to use Windhawk to customize the Windows 11 File Explorer appearance, you can easily revert the changes. You can either set the theme back to None, temporarily disable the mod, or remove the mod from Windhawk altogether. Closing the Windhawk application from your system tray will also stop the modifications from running in the background.
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