Or not—because this is where ExplorerPatcher comes in. This free open-source application was designed to customize the Windows interface and can bring back the old taskbar to Windows 11, as well as replace the new widget bar with a dedicated weather tool. When the download is complete, open the new file and install ExplorerPatcher. If you can’t find it, search the start menu—you should see an application called Properties (ExplorerPatcher). Congratulations—you now have the Windows 10 taskbar back. You can also move the taskbar to the top, left, or right of the screen, which is something users were missing from the new update. To do that, go back to ExplorerPatcher, click the Primary taskbar location on screen and choose a new location for your taskbar. You can also add folders to the taskbar—an ability that Windows 11 took away. Right-click a blank space on the taskbar and choose Toolbars. Continue by clicking New Toolbar to add a shortcut to any folder on your computer. If all you want is the weather, ExplorerPatcher can help you. Just head to the Weather section and enable Show Weather on the taskbar to get a really attractive weather widget. You can customize the layout, temperature units, and even color scheme in the settings. ExplorerPatcher can handle more customizations, including bringing back old versions of the start menu, the ability to hide the taskbar, and even switching back to the old version of the window switcher. Most people won’t care about those things, but if you recognize them and are curious, we highly recommend digging through the settings and seeing what you can find.
