Last Updated on May 22, 2026
If you are what is known as a Windows power user, then you most likely have tried some of the built in Windows customization features or even downloaded one of those Windows tweaking apps that allows you to really change how Windows works.
Many people will also go to github.com to download various windows tweaking and customization apps but if you are not computer savvy, then many of these tools can be confusing to install and use.
One easy to use and effective app that offers a multitude of ways for you to customize your Windows installation is called Windhawk. This is a free program that you install on your computer and then you can search for and add various features to Windows. These features are referred to as “mods” and they can be installed, customized and also disabled if needed.
Getting Started with Windhawk Mods
1. Launch the Main Dashboard
Once you download and install Windhawk, you will have your main dashboard, known as the Home section. It provides a complete overview of your local active environment.
2. Review Your Installed Modifications
This screen shows what mods you currently have installed on your local machine. It also displays featured mods that you may want to try out right away. If this is your first time using Windhawk, you will naturally not have anything in the Installed Mods section yet.
How to Explore and Install New Mods
1. Browse the Mod Repository
You need to click on the Explore button located at the top of the interface. You will then be shown additional mods you can browse through to enhance your desktop. You can also search for a specific feature directly from the search box at the top.
2. View the Mod Details
Once you find a mod you would like to try out, you can click on the Details button. This action opens a dedicated page to see more information about what it changes. Read the description carefully. You need to understand the exact visual or functional tweaks it performs before altering your operating system.
3. Initiate the Installation
From there, you can simply click the Install button to grab the files. This has it added directly to the Windhawk app. The download process usually takes just a few seconds on a broadband connection.
4. Review the Security Warning
Every time you install a mod, you will get a warning telling you to proceed with care since not every mod may be completely safe. Third party scripts require elevated permissions to run. You can click on one of the provided links, such as the homepage, to view more detailed information about the developer.
5. Accept the Risks and Install
For the most part, you should be perfectly fine with any of the widely available mods in the standard repository. If you feel comfortable installing the mod, simply click on the Accept Risk and Install button. Crucial Step: As a best practice, you might want to consider creating a Windows System Restore point before adding any major system mods.
6. Manage the Active Mod
After the mod is installed, you will find it back in the Home section under Installed Mods. You can then click on the Details button to do things such as activate the mod or change its core configuration settings. You can also quickly disable or remove the mod entirely from this same menu if it causes issues.
Configuring Your Windhawk Settings
1. Access the Specific Mod Settings
For many of these mods, you will want to go to the Settings section to precisely configure how it behaves. You must click the Details button on your installed mod to find this specific tab. The options in the Settings section will vary greatly from mod to mod since they are specific to the tool itself.
2. Adjust Your Custom Parameters
For the most part, the configuration settings will be fairly self-explanatory. You might see options to change taskbar heights, modify icon sizes, or edit registry values. Change the numerical values or toggle the switches to match your exact workflow needs.
3. Save Your Active Changes
When you configure a setting, you cannot just close the window. Make sure to always click on the Save settings button to have it actually take effect. Your desktop might blink briefly while Windows applies the new visual parameters.
Windhawk Video Tutorials
Here are a couple of videos showing exactly how you can use Windhawk to tweak and customize Windows to fit your workflow.
1. Adjust System Tray Icon Spacing
This first tutorial demonstrates how to adjust the spacing for the icons in the Windows system tray using a simple Windhawk mod. Watch the complete process below to see the exact settings required.
2. Open All Apps by Default
This second tutorial shows you how to bypass the standard pinned apps and open the “All Apps” list by default on the Windows Start menu. Follow along to streamline your navigation experience.
Here are some other Windhawk mods you might want to check out.
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