Making your Windows 11 look like macOS isn’t as wild as it sounds. Plenty of folks do it, especially if you’re over the default look and want something sleeker without dropping a fair few bucks on a Mac. Basically, it involves swapping themes, changing icons, and adding a dock. You’ll need a couple of third-party tools, but most are pretty easy to use—just be a bit careful. Here’s what’s worked for others, and honestly, tinkering with this is a bit of fun.
How to Make Windows 11 Look Like macOS
If your Windows 11 desktop’s feeling a bit blah, or if you just want that Apple vibe, these steps will get you close. They won’t turn Windows into a Mac, but’ll make it look pretty similar—at least on the surface. Expect a few quirks, though, ‘cause Windows isn’t exactly built for this stuff.
Method 1: Get a macOS theme installed
This is your first port of call. Search online for a solid macOS-like theme for Windows. There are heaps out there—just make sure it’s from a decent source so you don’t end up with malware. Some themes come as files you need to patch into Windows, usually via something like UXThemePatcher. Yeah, it sounds a bit risky, but if you’re cautious, it’s alright. Once done, your window borders, colours, and other visual bits will start to look more like they belong on a Mac.
Why it helps: It patches up some system files so Windows can skin itself with custom themes—making it look clean and modern, just like macOS. Gets rid of that boring stock look.
When to try this: If everything’s feeling a bit dull, or you want that sleek, Apple-style interface without chucking a heap of cash on a Mac.
What to expect: After installing, your desktop should look a lot sharper, with the right colours, rounded corners, and window frames. Sometimes, it might glitch or need a restart to look right.
Method 2: Swap in macOS icons
Icons are a dead giveaway. Drop a macOS icon pack onto your system (there’s plenty on DeviantArt or GitHub). Use an icon changer like IconPackager or just change icons directly via Personalisation > Change icons in settings. Grab icons for folders, apps, and system icons like ‘Recycle Bin’ or ‘This PC’ to make it really pop. It’s pretty satisfying seeing your desktop icons turn into those neat, rounded, minimalist ones.
Why it helps: It’s a quick visual trick—your brain thinks, “Yep, that looks just like a Mac.”
When to try this: After setting up the theme, for maximum effect. Or if you’re over the default Windows icons.
What to expect: Icons will look slick and uniform, but sometimes, replacing icons can be a bit hit or miss if file formats don’t line up. Keep a backup handy just in case you want to revert quickly.
Method 3: Add a macOS-style dock
This is the fun bit. Set up a dock—something like RocketDock or ObjectDock. They mimic the Mac dock, letting you pin your fave apps on the bottom or side of the screen. Play with the size, position, transparency—whatever looks best. Some docks even support animated icons or that ‘magnify’ effect for a bit of extra pizazz.
Why it helps: It’s the big visual cue that screams “Mac imitator,” and it keeps your apps within easy reach.
When to try this: Once your theme and icons are sorted, and you’re happy with the overall look.
What to expect: When done well, it’s seamless. Sometimes, the dock can interfere with other windows, so you might need to tweak its position or transparency.
Method 4: tweak wallpaper and fonts
Grab a high-res macOS wallpaper—there are plenty online. Set it as your desktop background. For fonts, try swapping Windows’ default with something like Helvetica Neue or another Mac-style font. Playing with system fonts can be a bit tricky, often needing registry tweaks or font changers, so take it slow. These small details really pull everything together and make it feel more ‘Apple.’
Why it helps: The devil’s in the details. Consistent fonts and backgrounds make everything look less Windows-y.
When to try this: After all your other visual mods are set up, as a final touch.
What to expect: It can take some fiddling—changing system fonts might cause glitches if you’re not careful, so back-up first.
Enjoying the new look is one thing, but keep in mind some updates or tweaks might break things or cause stability issues. Always back up before diving deep into customising. If things go sideways, restoring is usually straightforward—restore from your backup or reset themes and icons in settings.
Tips for Making Windows 11 Look Like macOS
- Back up your system before fiddling with themes or registry tweaks—that way, you’ve got a safety net.
- Only download themes and icons from trusted sources—no shady sites that offer “free” stuff unless you like risking malware.
- Try out different docks—some are faster, more customisable, or have cooler animations. Find what works for you.
- Make changes gradually. Don’t go all-in straight away unless you’re keen on bugs or system hiccups. Tweak, test, then tweak again.
- Keep notes of what you change—screenshots or a simple list helps when you want to revert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Windows 11 look exactly like macOS?
Nah, not quite. You can get pretty close visually, but under the hood it’s still Windows. Some things are just impossible without hacking into the system—which is a bad idea anyway.
Is installing custom themes safe?
If you stick to reputable sites, yeah, usually. But always back up first—they can sometimes cause bugs or even crash your PC if not done properly.
Will all this slow down my PC?
Most of the time, no. But if you’re running heavy themes or resource-hungry docks, it might impact performance—especially on older gear.
How do I undo all this if I want Windows back?
Just uninstall the themes, delete the icons, and remove the dock. Restoring your system to a previous restore point often does the trick, too.
Does Microsoft support customising like this?
Nah, they don’t officially endorse it, so tread carefully. It’s all third-party stuff—always back up before making big changes.
Summary
- Grab a macOS theme—just search “macOS Windows 11 theme”.
- Install it, patch system files if needed.
- Chuck in a macOS icon pack.
- Add a dock like RocketDock or ObjectDock.
- Set a macOS wallpaper and switch fonts if you’re keen.
If you get one of these tweaks working right, it’s a win. Hope this helps someone make their desktop a bit more Apple-y—without the price tag of a Mac.