8 Ways to Customize Windows 10 and 11 With WinBubble

The default customization options within Windows 11 and 10 are relatively limited. However, some third-party software packages give you lots more options for customizing Microsoft’s desktop operating system. WinBubble is freeware customization software that enables you to tweak the Windows platform in many different ways. Here are eight ways you can tweak Windows 11/10 with WinBubble.

First, Download and Extract WinBubble

The latest version of WinBubble is primarily designed for customizing Windows 10. Its WinBubble for Windows 10 title makes it clear what platform it’s intended for. There are older versions of the software for Windows 7 and Vista.

you may still tweak Windows 11 with WinBubble. However, some of its customization settings may not work right in Microsoft’s latest desktop OS. So, considercreating a restore pointbackup before utilizing WinBubble in Windows 11.

WinBubble is a portable app, meaning it doesn’t have an installer. It downloads as a ZIP archive you’ll need to extract before running the software.

To get the ZIP file, open theWinBubble for Windows 10Softpedia page and selectDownload Now>Softpedia Mirror (US).

A Windows 10 laptop on a desk

You can extract the archive as covered in our guide onhow to unzip files on Windows. Double-clickWinBubble.exein the extracted WinBubbles directory to open the software.

1. How to Customize Desktop Shortcut Icons With WinBubble

The icons for desktop shortcuts on Windows include little arrows on them. However, you can change that with WinBubble’s Customize Shortcut Icon option. That option enables you to remove the arrow or change it to a star, heart, or Windows logo. You can tweak the desktop shortcut icons like this:

2. How to Customize Windows’ Screensavers With WinBubble.

Windows 10 and 11 include Bubbles, Mystify, and Ribbon screensavers, but there aren’t any customization options for them. you could tweak those screensavers by manually editing the registry. However, WinBubble’s customization settings for the Bubbles, Mystify, and Ribbon screensavers make life easier for us.

TheSpecifictab in WinBubble includes the options for tweaking those screensavers. you may change presets for the screensavers by clicking theirPresetdrop-down menus and selecting alternative options.

For example, you can selectGlassy BubblesorMetallic Bubblesoptions with different sizes for the Bubbles screensaver. Selecting theMetallic Bubblesoption will give you multicolored bubbles shown in the snapshot below.

you could also adjust the number of ribbons or lines for the differentRibbonandMystifyscreensaver presets. Select a preset and then input values in the number boxes to change how many lines or ribbons are included in the screensavers. You can also input a width value in theRibbonwidthbox.

Metallic bubbles screensaver

When you’ve customized a screensaver, click theViewbutton to preview it. SelectSetto save the settings. You might also need to select and set the customized screensaver in the Change screensaver Control Panel applet.

You can speed up menus a bit by reducing the menu delay. By default, Windows has a 400-millisecond menu delay, which you can cut to zero. WinBubble includes aMenu Show Delayoption you can configure among numerous other optimization settings.

To configure that setting, select theOptimizetab. Click theMenu Show Delayoption to choose a value less than 400; selectApplyto save the new value.

While you’re at it, you can also speed up the Window shutdown process a little. To do this, select WinBubble’sDecrease Shutdown Time for servicesandDo not Clear Pagefile at Shutdowncheckboxes on the sameOptimizetab.

WinBubble includes lots of customization settings for the desktop context menu in Windows. It enables you to add three alternative shortcut submenus to the desktop context menu. You can select to add context menu submenus for opening Control Panel applets, Microsoft apps, and system tools.

Click theGeneraltab to view those customization settings for the context menu. Select aControl Panel Menu,MS Software Menu, orSystem Tools Menuoption on that tab to add one of those submenus. ClickRunon any Open File warning dialog box to apply.

Then right-click a desktop area to view your newControl Panel,System Tool, orSoftwaresubmenus. In Windows 11, you’ll also need to clickShow more optionssince this tweak is applied to the classic context menu. Each submenu includes a variety of handy shortcuts.

5. How to Add New Take Ownership Explorer Options for Files and Folders

You can’t open folders with restricted access unless you take ownership of them in Windows 11/10. To manually take ownership of a folder, you’ll need to change its security settings via its properties window.

However, it’s much simpler to add options for taking ownership of folders and files to the context menu with WinBubble. Then you’re able to right-click a folder or file in Explorer to select aTake the Ownershipoption.

WinBubble’sGeneraltab includes two settings for adding take ownership options to File Explorer’s context menu. Select both the“Take the Ownership of this folder”and“Take the Ownership of this folder”checkboxes to add those options. You’ll also need to clickApplyfor this tweak.

If you prefer not to stuff your desktop area with too many software shortcuts, the context menu is an ideal alternative space for them. You can add lots of shortcuts to different context menus with WinBubble without manually editing theWindows registry. This is how to add shortcuts for opening programs to the desktop’s right-click menu in Windows:

Now, look at the context menu by right-clicking the desktop (select Show more optionsin Windows 11). You’ll see a shortcut for opening the software you added there. Click that shortcut to launch the program.

you’re able to remove shortcuts added by selecting them in the Explorer/Desktop box within WinBubble’sToolstab. Click theRemoveoption there. Then chooseYeswhen asked to confirm the deletion.

7. How to Add New Items to the Control Panel

WinBubble’sToolstab also includes a section that enables you to add new items to the Control Panel. You can add third-party software shortcuts to the Control Panel from there in the following steps:

Now you’ll be able to open the software added from the Control Panel. Bring up the Control Panel window, and selectLarge iconsfrom theView bydrop-down menu there. Click the new software shortcut there.

8. How to Disable the Registry Editor in WinBubble

TheMore Policiestab in WinBubble enables you to disable many things in Windows. It incorporates four subtabs from which you can disable desktop, Start menu, taskbar, machine, system, and Control Panel features. Plus, there are also some additional miscellaneous quick tweak settings available.

For example, you’re able to select to disable the Registry Editor if you don’t want other users messing around with the registry. To do so, click theMore Policies>Systemtabs. Select thePrevent registry accessto Registry Editorcheckbox andApplyoption. An access denied message will then pop up when users endeavor to open Registry Editor.

Customize Windows to Your Liking With WinBubble

Those are just some of the different ways you can customize Windows 10 and 11 with WinBubble. WinBubble is packed to the rafters with many more handy settings for tweaking Windows to your heart’s content. So, have fun customizing Windows with WinBubble!

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8 Ways to Customize Windows 10 and 11 With WinBubble