Tweaking Windows11: How to Fix Microsoft’s Most Annoying New Features

You just upgraded to Windows 11, and suddenly, everything feels… wrong. Let’s fix that.

Windows 11 is a beautiful, highly capable operating system, but Microsoft made some bold design choices that have left long-time users incredibly frustrated. If your workflow feels slower because menus have moved and essential tools are hidden, you aren’t alone.

Before you consider downgrading back to Windows 10, here is your master-class guide to tweaking Windows 11, removing the minor annoyances, and making your computer feel like yours again.

1. Move the Start Menu Back to the Left

The most glaring change in Windows 11 is the centered taskbar and Start Menu. For users who have spent two decades instinctively moving their mouse to the bottom-left corner, the new center alignment is a constant source of irritation.

The Fix:

1. Right-click anywhere on the empty space of your taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
2. Scroll down and expand the Taskbar behaviors section.
3. Look for Taskbar alignment and change the dropdown from Center to Left.

Just like that, your muscle memory is restored.

2. Banish the “Recommended” Clutter in the Start Menu

Windows 10 had “Live Tles,” which many users hated. Windows 11 replaced them with a massive

“Recommended” section that takes up half your Start Menu, showing recently opened files and newly installed apps whether you want to see them or not.

The Fix:

1. Open the Start Menu, click the Settings gear, and go to Personalization.
2. Click on Start.
3. Under the layout options, select More pins.
4. Toggle off Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer. This clears the clutter and gives you much more room to pin the applications you actually use.

3. Stop File Explorer from Opening to “Home”

By default, whenever you open File Explorer in Windows 11, it dumps you into a “Home” view (formerly Quick Access) filled with recent files and frequent folders. Most power users just want to see their hard drives.

The Fix:

• Open File Explorer.
• Click the three horizontal dots (…) on the top menu bar and select Options.
• In the General tab, look for the dropdown menu labeled Open File Explorer to:.
• Change it from Home to This PC. Click Apply, and you are done