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Head-to-head · Taskbar Customization Software

ExplorerPatcher vs WindowBlinds

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score ExplorerPatcher #4 in Taskbar Customization Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Try ExplorerPatcher
WindowBlinds #8 in Taskbar Customization Software 7.8/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 6 features Visit WindowBlinds

ExplorerPatcher leads on 1 check, WindowBlinds on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreExplorerPatcher · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly ExplorerPatcher
  • Free trialonly WindowBlinds
  • Most featuresExplorerPatcher · 4 of 6

ExplorerPatcher scores higher on our rubric for taskbar customization software: 8.4 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

ExplorerPatcher offers free plan; WindowBlinds doesn't.

ExplorerPatcher is the better fit for open-source Windows taskbar replacement. WindowBlinds is the better fit for windows-wide visual skin customization.

  • ExplorerPatcher fits best

    Open-source Windows taskbar replacement

  • WindowBlinds fits best

    Windows-wide visual skin customization

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Side by side

Feature ExplorerPatcher 8.4/10 Visit ↗ WindowBlinds 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.8
Ranking #4 in Taskbar Customization Software #8 in Taskbar Customization Software
Best for Open-source Windows taskbar replacement Windows-wide visual skin customization
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan 30-day trial
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community, Docs Community, Tickets
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features ExplorerPatcher 4/6 · WindowBlinds 1/6
Taskbar positioning ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Transparency controls Not checked yet ✓ (best)
App grouping controls ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Multi-monitor support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Taskbar sizing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Portable version Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Platform Windows Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 taskbar styles
  • Offers edge positioning, monitor movement, grouping, and icon sizing
  • Adds auto-hide, context-menu, Start menu, and Alt+Tab controls
  • Customizes taskbars, window frames, and desktop interface elements
  • Offers colors, textures, fonts, backgrounds, and transparency controls
  • Includes presets, skin browsing, and custom-skin creation with SkinStudio
Cons
  • Some features depend on the Windows build in use
  • Supports Windows only
  • No AI features or verified portable distribution
  • Supports Windows only
  • Requires a paid product; no free plan is listed
  • Taskbar customization is part of a broader visual suite, not its sole focus
Our verdict

ExplorerPatcher is an open-source Windows utility for people who want more control over the taskbar and related shell behavior. It can restore a Windows 10-style taskbar on supported Windows 11 versions while also modifying parts of the…

Read the review →

WindowBlinds is Windows desktop-customization software from Stardock for people who want to change the appearance of Windows 10 or Windows 11 beyond standard personalization options. It applies visual skins across taskbars, window frames,…

Read the review →
  1. ExplorerPatcherTaskbar Customization Software 8.4Free plan
  2. WindowBlindsTaskbar Customization Software 7.830-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ExplorerPatcher — where it wins

    • Supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 taskbar styles
    • Offers edge positioning, monitor movement, grouping, and icon sizing
    • Adds auto-hide, context-menu, Start menu, and Alt+Tab controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Some features depend on the Windows build in use
    • Supports Windows only
    • No AI features or verified portable distribution

  • WindowBlinds — where it wins

    • Customizes taskbars, window frames, and desktop interface elements
    • Offers colors, textures, fonts, backgrounds, and transparency controls
    • Includes presets, skin browsing, and custom-skin creation with SkinStudio

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows only
    • Requires a paid product; no free plan is listed
    • Taskbar customization is part of a broader visual suite, not its sole focus

More comparisons

All taskbar customization software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update