Want to ditch those rounded corners in Windows 11 for a cleaner, more angular look? You’re not alone! While Windows 11 comes with sleek rounded corners, some folks prefer the sharp edges of its predecessors. Fortunately, you can tweak your system settings to achieve this. By adjusting the Visual Effects settings, you can make Windows 11’s interface look more like the classic Windows versions. This guide will walk you through the steps to change your corner styles quickly.
How to Get Rid of Rounded Corners in Windows 11
Ready to make Windows 11 look more angular? The following steps will guide you through modifying your settings to remove rounded corners. This process involves accessing system properties and adjusting visual effects for a classic Windows appearance.
Step 1: Open System Properties
To start, open the System Properties window.
You can do this by right-clicking on ‘This PC’ on your desktop or File Explorer, selecting ‘Properties’, then clicking ‘Advanced system settings’ on the left. System Properties is where you can tweak various settings that affect your computer’s performance and appearance.
Step 2: Access Performance Options
Next, click on the ‘Settings’ button under the ‘Performance’ section.
This will open the Performance Options window. Here, you’ll find customizable visual effects settings that control how your desktop and windows appear.
Step 3: Adjust for Best Performance
Click the ‘Adjust for best performance’ radio button to uncheck all visual effects.
Choosing this option will disable all unnecessary visual effects, including rounded corners. However, this might make your interface look quite plain.
Step 4: Customize Visual Effects
Select individual effects to enable or disable as you prefer.
You might want to re-enable specific features you find visually appealing or necessary, like smooth scrolling. Adjust these settings to find your perfect balance.
Step 5: Apply Settings
Hit the ‘Apply’ button and then ‘OK’ to save your changes.
This will apply the settings you’ve chosen, removing those rounded corners and switching to a more classic Windows style.
After completing these steps, your Windows 11 interface will transition from having rounded corners to a more angular look. This classic appearance mimics older versions of Windows and might even boost system performance slightly.
Tips for How to Get Rid of Rounded Corners in Windows 11
- Backup Your Settings: Before making changes, consider noting your current settings so you can revert if needed.
- Experiment with Effects: Feel free to tweak individual visual effects to find a look that suits your taste.
- Be Prepared for a Different Look: The “best performance” setting removes all effects, which might make your Windows look stark.
- Re-enable Features Gradually: If you miss certain effects, you can always go back and enable them one by one.
- Check Compatibility: Ensure your changes don’t affect software that requires certain visual effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revert back to rounded corners easily?
Yes, you can revert at any time by revisiting the Performance Options and choosing ‘Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer’ or re-enabling specific effects you disabled.
Will this affect my system performance?
Turning off visual effects, including rounded corners, can actually improve performance slightly on older or less powerful machines.
Do these changes affect all applications?
These changes primarily affect system windows and native applications. Some third-party apps might retain their own styles.
Is there any risk of damaging my system?
No, adjusting visual effects is a safe process. However, always ensure you follow the steps correctly.
Can I selectively keep some effects and remove others?
Absolutely! You can manually select which visual effects to enable or disable to customize your experience.
Summary
- Open System Properties.
- Access Performance Options.
- Adjust for Best Performance.
- Customize Visual Effects.
- Apply Settings.
Conclusion
Tweaking your Windows 11 settings to ditch those rounded corners is a simple yet effective way to personalize your user interface. This process not only changes the aesthetic to a more classic Windows look but might also squeeze out a bit more performance from your system. For those who miss the sharp edges of older Windows versions, adjusting visual effects is a straightforward solution.
As you navigate through these steps, remember that customization is key. Feel free to experiment with the settings until you find what works best for you. Each system and user is unique, so your ideal setup might differ from others.
By taking control of your visual settings, you’re not just changing how your desktop looks; you’re tailoring it to better fit your preferences and needs. Whether you’re a fan of the minimalist aesthetic or you’re searching for a nostalgia trip back to Windows 7, removing those rounded corners can be a fun and rewarding task.
Got any questions or want to share your results? Feel free to join online forums or communities where tech enthusiasts discuss these tweaks. There, you’ll find more tips, share your outcomes, and perhaps even help someone else find their perfect Windows 11 setup!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.