Customization Tips for a Productive Windows 11 Pro Experience
![](https://buffcom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Windows-11-Pro-Experience.jpg)
Microsoft released Windows 11 in October 2021, and despite its two-year presence, I stuck with Windows 10, awaiting stability. However, circumstances led me to adopt Windows 11 Pro on a new laptop in September 2023. After a few days, certain “improvements” hindered my productivity, prompting me to seek ways to tailor the OS to my preferences. In this article, I share five modifications that enhanced my Windows 11 experience.
Disable “Bing” Search in the Start Menu:
Open the Registry Editor.
![Customization Tips for a Productive Windows 11 Pro Experience 1 Windows 11 Pro Experience](https://buffcom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Windows-11-Pro-Experience.jpg)
Windows 11 Pro Experience
Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
Create a new key named “Explorer.”
![Customization Tips for a Productive Windows 11 Pro Experience 2 Windows 11 Pro Experience](https://buffcom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Windows-11-Pro-Experience-1.jpg)
Windows 11 Pro Experience
Inside this key, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value called “DisableSearchBoxSuggestions.”
Set its value to “1” and restart Windows.
![Customization Tips for a Productive Windows 11 Pro Experience 3 Windows 11 Pro Experience](https://buffcom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Windows-11-Pro-Experience-2.jpg)
Windows 11 Pro Experience
Restore the Windows 10 Context Menu:
Go to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID.
Create a new key with the name {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.
Inside, create a key named “InprocServer32.”
Double-click on the Default file in InprocServer32, leaving the Data field empty.
![Customization Tips for a Productive Windows 11 Pro Experience 4 Windows 11 Pro Experience](https://buffcom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Windows-11-Pro-Experience-3.jpg)
Windows 11 Pro Experience
Close the registry, reopen File Explorer, and experience the classic context menu.
Force Windows 11 Taskbar to Display Left:
Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings.”
Hide items in the Taskbar items section.
![Customization Tips for a Productive Windows 11 Pro Experience 5 Windows 11 Pro Experience](https://buffcom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Windows-11-Pro-Experience-4.jpg)
Windows 11 Pro Experience
Scroll down to “Taskbar behaviors” and choose the desired alignment.
![Customization Tips for a Productive Windows 11 Pro Experience 6 Windows 11 Pro Experience](https://buffcom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Windows-11-Pro-Experience-5.jpg)
Windows 11 Pro Experience
Personalize Start Menu Items:
Right-click on the Desktop, go to personalization, and select “Start.”
Customize the Start menu layout to your preference.
Adjust Windows Device Monitoring Settings:
In the “personalization” window, navigate to the Device Usage section.
![Customization Tips for a Productive Windows 11 Pro Experience 7 Windows 11 Pro Experience](https://buffcom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Windows-11-Pro-Experience-6.jpg)
Windows 11 Pro Experience
Turn off all tracking options.
Final Thoughts:
While Windows 11 introduces a new interface, I adapted it to my workflow. These adjustments might help those who prefer the Windows 10 style, ensuring a personalized and productive Windows 11 experience.