Windows 11 Pro offers built-in settings that let you personalize the look, layout, and day-to-day behaviour of your PC. Whether you want a cleaner desktop, faster access to key applications, fewer notifications, or a more accessible display, you can make many changes directly in the Windows Settings app.
A personalized interface is not just about appearance. Organizing pinned apps, choosing a readable text size, refining notifications, and setting up multiple desktops can help create a workspace that better fits the way you work, study, create, or manage projects.
The exact settings available can vary depending on your Windows 11 version, installed updates, device hardware, and organizational policies. If your PC is managed by an employer or school, some settings may be unavailable.
Start with Personalization settings
Most visual customization options are located in Settings > Personalization. You can open Settings with the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I, then select Personalization from the left-side menu.
This area gives you access to settings for:
Background images and slideshows
Themes
Light and dark modes
Accent colours
Taskbar behaviour
Start menu preferences
Fonts
Desktop icons
Lock screen settings
HP Canada notes that Windows 11 personalization options include themes, colours, desktop icons, text sizing, and Widgets configuration.
Before making broad changes, consider creating a restore point or backing up important files. This is especially useful if you plan to change system-level settings, install customization software, or adjust device drivers.
Customize the taskbar
The Windows 11 taskbar provides access to the Start menu, pinned apps, running applications, notifications, Quick Settings, and other system controls. Keeping it focused on the items you use most can reduce visual clutter.
Change taskbar alignment
Windows 11 places taskbar icons in the centre by default. If you prefer a more traditional layout, you can move them to the left.
Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
Select Taskbar settings.
Open Taskbar behaviours.
Choose Left or Center under taskbar alignment.
HP Canada’s Windows 11 Pro customization guide includes this method for changing the taskbar alignment.
Pin and unpin apps
Pin the apps you open frequently so they are always accessible from the taskbar.
To pin an open app, right-click its taskbar icon and select Pin to taskbar.
To remove a pinned app, right-click the icon and select Unpin from taskbar.
To rearrange pinned icons, drag them into your preferred order.
A useful approach is to reserve taskbar space for your everyday tools, such as a browser, collaboration app, file manager, office suite, creative software, or project-management platform.
Refine taskbar behaviour
In Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, you can adjust several elements of the taskbar. Depending on your Windows version, you may be able to show or hide taskbar items such as Search, Task View, Widgets, or other available controls.
Under Taskbar behaviours, you may also find options to:
Automatically hide the taskbar
Show badges on taskbar apps
Show the taskbar across multiple displays
Control how open windows appear on multiple monitors
Display the desktop when selecting the far corner of the taskbar
Review these options after connecting a second monitor, as multi-display settings can noticeably affect your workflow.
Personalize the Start menu
The Start menu gives you access to pinned applications, all installed apps, recommended content, power controls, and account settings. You cannot freely move it around the screen, but changing taskbar alignment also moves the Start button and Start menu position between the centre and left side.
Manage pinned apps
To add an application to Start:
Open the Start menu.
Find the application.
Right-click it.
Select Pin to Start.
To remove an app, right-click a pinned icon and select Unpin from Start. You can drag pinned apps to rearrange them.
Keep the area purposeful. Pin apps you use regularly and unpin temporary, duplicate, or rarely used shortcuts.
Adjust recommendations
The Recommended area may display recently used files, recently added apps, or suggested content. Available controls can differ by Windows version, but Start settings generally let you manage whether Windows shows recently opened items or recommendations.
Open Settings > Personalization > Start to review the options. If you handle sensitive documents or share a computer, you may prefer to reduce the display of recently opened content.
Choose themes, colours and backgrounds
Themes apply a coordinated set of visual elements, including wallpapers, colours, sounds, and cursor settings. To choose or change a theme:
Open Settings > Personalization > Themes.
Select one of the available themes.
Adjust individual elements if you want to create a more customized look.
You can also change the background independently. Go to Settings > Personalization > Background and choose a picture, solid colour, or slideshow.
For colour settings, open Settings > Personalization > Colours. You can select:
Light mode
Dark mode
A custom combination for Windows and apps
An accent colour that appears in supported interface elements
Dark mode may be comfortable in low-light environments, while light mode can offer higher contrast in brightly lit spaces. The best choice is personal and may vary by task or time of day.
Improve readability and accessibility
Interface customization can make a PC more comfortable and accessible. Windows 11 includes options for text size, contrast themes, visual effects, captions, magnification, and other accessibility settings.
To increase text size:
Open Settings.
Select Accessibility.
Choose Text size.
Use the slider to adjust the text and apply the change.
HP Canada’s guide also identifies Accessibility > Text size as the location for adjusting system text.
If animations make the interface feel distracting or uncomfortable, go to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects and review available options. You may be able to reduce or disable animation effects and transparency effects.
For desktop icons, open Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. From there, you can choose which standard icons appear on the desktop and change supported icon graphics.
Set up Widgets and notifications
Widgets provide quick access to information and services through the Widgets board. You can open it from the taskbar when the Widgets icon is enabled, then add, remove, rearrange, or resize available widgets. HP Canada’s guide describes using the Widgets panel to manage its content and layout.
Notifications deserve the same attention. Too many alerts can interrupt focused work, while too few can cause you to miss important messages.
Go to Settings > System > Notifications to review notification permissions for individual apps. You can typically control whether an app can send notifications and adjust elements such as banners, sounds, and priority.
If you need uninterrupted time for writing, analysis, meetings, or design work, use Windows focus features where available to reduce notification interruptions temporarily.
Organize multiple displays and desktops
A second display can expand your workspace, particularly when you need to compare documents, monitor communications, edit media, or work with multiple applications at once.
To configure displays:
Connect the external display.
Open Settings > System > Display.
Choose whether to extend, duplicate, or show content on only one display.
Adjust resolution, scaling, orientation, and display arrangement as needed.
You can also create virtual desktops to separate different types of work. For example, maintain one desktop for communication tools, another for focused project work, and a third for personal tasks. Select Task View from the taskbar, or use Windows key + Tab, to create and switch between desktops.
Keep customization practical
The best Windows 11 Pro setup is one that supports your work without becoming difficult to maintain. Begin with built-in settings before considering third-party software, and only download applications or themes from sources you trust.
After a significant Windows update, review your personalization settings. Updates can introduce new options, alter menu locations, or reset selected preferences. Keep Windows updated, use strong account security, and back up important files regularly.
With a few focused changes to the taskbar, Start menu, theme, accessibility settings, notifications, and display layout, you can create a Windows 11 Pro workspace that is organized, readable, and suited to your priorities.
