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Windhawk

Free#11 of 39 in Start Menu Customization Software

Windhawk: A flexible, open-source mod platform for deep Windows Start menu and taskbar customization. Ranked #11 of 39 in Start Menu Customization Software by our editors (7.8/10); pricing: Open source; best for advanced users comfortable with customization mods.

7.8/10Editor score

Visit Windhawk

Windhawk7.8 Visit Windhawk

At a glance

Editor score
7.8 / 10
Pricing
Open source
Best for
Advanced users comfortable with customization mods
Paid from
Free
Supported Windows
Both
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Open-source platform with reviewable mod source code
- Supports custom Start menu layouts, controls, colors, and resources
- Extensive Windows taskbar customization through mods
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only, with no cross-platform support
- Uses a mod-based overlay rather than a dedicated Start menu replacement
- Requires users to select and configure individual mods

Our verdict on Windhawk

Windhawk is an open-source Windows customization platform from Ramen Software. It lets users browse an online mod catalog, install and configure mods, and review mod source code. For Start menu customization, its Windows 11 Start Menu Styler supports contributed themes and custom styles, making it a fit for advanced Windows users who want to adjust system components rather than install a standalone Start menu replacement.

The Start Menu Styler covers more than visual theming. Users can customize layouts, controls, colors, and resources, while CSS-like rules can style search WebView content. Windhawk also extends customization to the Windows taskbar, File Explorer, notification center, browser tabs, and other Windows components. This broader mod catalog makes it suitable for users who want one platform for several Windows interface changes, not only the Start menu. The included Windows 10 theme also gives the platform reach beyond its explicitly documented Windows 11 Start menu focus.

Windhawk’s main trade-off is its mod-based overlay approach. It is not a dedicated Start menu replacement with a single, self-contained interface; users choose and configure contributed or custom mods for the changes they want. That model offers detailed control and access to source code, but it also places more responsibility on the user. Choose Windhawk if you are comfortable managing Windows customization mods and want deep control over Start menu, search, and taskbar behavior. Choose a dedicated replacement instead if you prefer a single-purpose Start menu product with less configuration.

Your product? Our editors can test Windhawk in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Windhawk pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on windhawk.net

Windhawk fact sheet

Free plan	Not verified
Paid from	Free
Supported Windows	Both
Replacement mode	Overlay
Start button controls	Not verified
Custom search	Yes
Taskbar controls	Extensive
Saved profiles	Not verified
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Windows
Support	Community
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Open source
Website	windhawk.net
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to Windhawk

See all Windhawk alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

Windhawk is listed in our Start Menu Customization Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update