09-10-2024, 11:48 AM
Guide to Using ExplorerPatcher
**ExplorerPatcher** is a popular tool for customizing the Windows taskbar and system interface, providing a way to restore features and appearances from previous versions of Windows, especially for Windows 11 users who prefer the Windows 10 experience. With ExplorerPatcher, you can adjust taskbar behavior, system tray functionality, and much more. This guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and using ExplorerPatcher to personalize your Windows experience.
Step 1: Download ExplorerPatcher
To begin, you need to download ExplorerPatcher from the official source.
Steps to Download ExplorerPatcher:
1. Open your web browser and visit the official ExplorerPatcher GitHub page: ExplorerPatcher GitHub Page.
2. Scroll down to the `Releases` section and download the latest version of ExplorerPatcher.
3. Once the download is complete, navigate to your `Downloads` folder and locate the file named `ep_setup.exe`.
Step 2: Install ExplorerPatcher
After downloading, you can proceed to install ExplorerPatcher on your system.
Steps to Install ExplorerPatcher:
1. Double-click the `ep_setup.exe` file to launch the installer.
2. The installation will start immediately, and it will automatically modify your system's explorer settings.
3. After installation, the taskbar and other system components may restart to apply the changes.
Step 3: Access ExplorerPatcher Settings
ExplorerPatcher provides a range of customization options for your Windows taskbar and system appearance.
Steps to Access ExplorerPatcher Settings:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select `Properties`. This will open the ExplorerPatcher settings window.
2. The settings window is divided into various categories such as `Taskbar`, `Start Menu`, `System Tray`, and `File Explorer`.
3. You can now navigate through these sections to customize your taskbar and system interface.
Step 4: Customize Taskbar Appearance and Behavior
ExplorerPatcher allows you to modify the appearance and functionality of the taskbar to suit your preferences.
Steps to Customize the Taskbar with ExplorerPatcher:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, click on the `Taskbar` tab.
2. Here, you can adjust several options, such as:
- **Taskbar Style**: Switch between Windows 10 or Windows 11 taskbar styles.
- **Taskbar Size**: Change the size of the taskbar (small, medium, or large).
- **Center or Align Icons**: Choose whether taskbar icons are centered (Windows 11 style) or aligned to the left (Windows 10 style).
- **Combine Taskbar Buttons**: Enable or disable the grouping of taskbar buttons.
3. After making your changes, click `Restart File Explorer` at the bottom of the settings window to apply the modifications.
Step 5: Customize the Start Menu
ExplorerPatcher allows you to restore the classic Windows Start menu or make changes to the Windows 11 Start menu.
Steps to Customize the Start Menu with ExplorerPatcher:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, navigate to the `Start Menu` tab.
2. Select the `Start Menu Style` you prefer. You can choose between:
- **Windows 11 Style**: The default Windows 11 Start menu.
- **Windows 10 Style**: The classic Start menu used in Windows 10.
3. You can also customize the position of the Start button and modify behavior settings like showing recently opened apps and pinned apps.
4. Once done, restart File Explorer by clicking `Restart File Explorer`.
Step 6: Customize the System Tray
ExplorerPatcher allows you to modify the system tray to restore functionality or remove certain icons.
Steps to Customize the System Tray:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, click on the `System Tray` tab.
2. Here, you can enable or disable system tray icons like the network, volume, and battery indicators.
3. You can also restore the old clock, calendar, and notification area from Windows 10 if you prefer.
4. After configuring the system tray, click `Restart File Explorer` to apply the changes.
Step 7: Customize File Explorer Behavior
ExplorerPatcher includes options for customizing how File Explorer behaves and how windows are displayed.
Steps to Customize File Explorer with ExplorerPatcher:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, navigate to the `File Explorer` tab.
2. You can modify several options, such as:
- **Restore Ribbon**: Bring back the Windows 10-style ribbon interface in File Explorer.
- **Classic Context Menus**: Enable the old-style right-click menus instead of the modern Windows 11 menus.
3. After selecting your preferences, restart File Explorer by clicking `Restart File Explorer`.
Step 8: Update ExplorerPatcher
ExplorerPatcher is frequently updated with new features and bug fixes. You can check for updates and install them directly through the tool.
Steps to Update ExplorerPatcher:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, click the `About` tab.
2. Under `Version`, you will see an option to `Check for Updates`.
3. If a new version is available, follow the prompts to download and install the update.
4. After updating, restart File Explorer to apply the changes.
Step 9: Restore Default Settings (Optional)
If you want to revert all changes made by ExplorerPatcher and restore Windows' default appearance and behavior, you can easily do so.
Steps to Restore Default Settings:
1. Open the ExplorerPatcher settings window by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting `Properties`.
2. Click on the `About` tab.
3. Under the `Reset to Default Settings` section, click `Reset`.
4. This will remove all customizations and restore the default Windows settings.
Step 10: Uninstall ExplorerPatcher (Optional)
If you no longer need ExplorerPatcher, you can easily uninstall it from your system.
Steps to Uninstall ExplorerPatcher:
1. Press `Windows + I` to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to `Apps` > `Apps & Features`.
3. Scroll down to find `ExplorerPatcher` in the list of installed programs.
4. Click on it and select `Uninstall` to remove the application from your system.
Conclusion
ExplorerPatcher is an excellent tool for users who want to customize their Windows taskbar, Start menu, system tray, and File Explorer to restore features from previous Windows versions or create a personalized experience. By following this guide, you can easily install, configure, and customize your system using ExplorerPatcher to fit your workflow and preferences.
**ExplorerPatcher** is a popular tool for customizing the Windows taskbar and system interface, providing a way to restore features and appearances from previous versions of Windows, especially for Windows 11 users who prefer the Windows 10 experience. With ExplorerPatcher, you can adjust taskbar behavior, system tray functionality, and much more. This guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and using ExplorerPatcher to personalize your Windows experience.
Step 1: Download ExplorerPatcher
To begin, you need to download ExplorerPatcher from the official source.
Steps to Download ExplorerPatcher:
1. Open your web browser and visit the official ExplorerPatcher GitHub page: ExplorerPatcher GitHub Page.
2. Scroll down to the `Releases` section and download the latest version of ExplorerPatcher.
3. Once the download is complete, navigate to your `Downloads` folder and locate the file named `ep_setup.exe`.
Step 2: Install ExplorerPatcher
After downloading, you can proceed to install ExplorerPatcher on your system.
Steps to Install ExplorerPatcher:
1. Double-click the `ep_setup.exe` file to launch the installer.
2. The installation will start immediately, and it will automatically modify your system's explorer settings.
3. After installation, the taskbar and other system components may restart to apply the changes.
Step 3: Access ExplorerPatcher Settings
ExplorerPatcher provides a range of customization options for your Windows taskbar and system appearance.
Steps to Access ExplorerPatcher Settings:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select `Properties`. This will open the ExplorerPatcher settings window.
2. The settings window is divided into various categories such as `Taskbar`, `Start Menu`, `System Tray`, and `File Explorer`.
3. You can now navigate through these sections to customize your taskbar and system interface.
Step 4: Customize Taskbar Appearance and Behavior
ExplorerPatcher allows you to modify the appearance and functionality of the taskbar to suit your preferences.
Steps to Customize the Taskbar with ExplorerPatcher:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, click on the `Taskbar` tab.
2. Here, you can adjust several options, such as:
- **Taskbar Style**: Switch between Windows 10 or Windows 11 taskbar styles.
- **Taskbar Size**: Change the size of the taskbar (small, medium, or large).
- **Center or Align Icons**: Choose whether taskbar icons are centered (Windows 11 style) or aligned to the left (Windows 10 style).
- **Combine Taskbar Buttons**: Enable or disable the grouping of taskbar buttons.
3. After making your changes, click `Restart File Explorer` at the bottom of the settings window to apply the modifications.
Step 5: Customize the Start Menu
ExplorerPatcher allows you to restore the classic Windows Start menu or make changes to the Windows 11 Start menu.
Steps to Customize the Start Menu with ExplorerPatcher:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, navigate to the `Start Menu` tab.
2. Select the `Start Menu Style` you prefer. You can choose between:
- **Windows 11 Style**: The default Windows 11 Start menu.
- **Windows 10 Style**: The classic Start menu used in Windows 10.
3. You can also customize the position of the Start button and modify behavior settings like showing recently opened apps and pinned apps.
4. Once done, restart File Explorer by clicking `Restart File Explorer`.
Step 6: Customize the System Tray
ExplorerPatcher allows you to modify the system tray to restore functionality or remove certain icons.
Steps to Customize the System Tray:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, click on the `System Tray` tab.
2. Here, you can enable or disable system tray icons like the network, volume, and battery indicators.
3. You can also restore the old clock, calendar, and notification area from Windows 10 if you prefer.
4. After configuring the system tray, click `Restart File Explorer` to apply the changes.
Step 7: Customize File Explorer Behavior
ExplorerPatcher includes options for customizing how File Explorer behaves and how windows are displayed.
Steps to Customize File Explorer with ExplorerPatcher:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, navigate to the `File Explorer` tab.
2. You can modify several options, such as:
- **Restore Ribbon**: Bring back the Windows 10-style ribbon interface in File Explorer.
- **Classic Context Menus**: Enable the old-style right-click menus instead of the modern Windows 11 menus.
3. After selecting your preferences, restart File Explorer by clicking `Restart File Explorer`.
Step 8: Update ExplorerPatcher
ExplorerPatcher is frequently updated with new features and bug fixes. You can check for updates and install them directly through the tool.
Steps to Update ExplorerPatcher:
1. In the ExplorerPatcher settings window, click the `About` tab.
2. Under `Version`, you will see an option to `Check for Updates`.
3. If a new version is available, follow the prompts to download and install the update.
4. After updating, restart File Explorer to apply the changes.
Step 9: Restore Default Settings (Optional)
If you want to revert all changes made by ExplorerPatcher and restore Windows' default appearance and behavior, you can easily do so.
Steps to Restore Default Settings:
1. Open the ExplorerPatcher settings window by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting `Properties`.
2. Click on the `About` tab.
3. Under the `Reset to Default Settings` section, click `Reset`.
4. This will remove all customizations and restore the default Windows settings.
Step 10: Uninstall ExplorerPatcher (Optional)
If you no longer need ExplorerPatcher, you can easily uninstall it from your system.
Steps to Uninstall ExplorerPatcher:
1. Press `Windows + I` to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to `Apps` > `Apps & Features`.
3. Scroll down to find `ExplorerPatcher` in the list of installed programs.
4. Click on it and select `Uninstall` to remove the application from your system.
Conclusion
ExplorerPatcher is an excellent tool for users who want to customize their Windows taskbar, Start menu, system tray, and File Explorer to restore features from previous Windows versions or create a personalized experience. By following this guide, you can easily install, configure, and customize your system using ExplorerPatcher to fit your workflow and preferences.