7+ Taskbar Tweaker vs ExplorerPatcher

7+ Taskbar Tweaker is a free Windows utility for changing taskbar behavior beyond options normally exposed by taskbar properties or the registry. It provides dozens of customization choices, and Taskbar Inspector can group, combine, or label some taskbar items. The software is designed for Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. The maker says it does not support the Windows 11 taskbar, although it can work on Windows 11 version 23H2 and older when third-party tools restore the old taskbar. Its installer can extract a portable copy to a selected folder. The utility injects a DLL into Explorer and modifies it directly; registry changes are limited to its own settings. Antivirus detections may be false positives because this behavior can appear suspicious. It has no ads or bundled installers, may be used commercially, and optional donations are supported.

ExplorerPatcher is a free Windows program for adjusting parts of the desktop working environment. It lets users configure taskbar styling, including a Windows 10 taskbar, and offers controls for taskbar positioning, sizing, app grouping, and multiple monitors. A Windows 10 Start menu style is available, although release notes say it was removed on some newer builds that lack required system components. The program can also configure the Windows 10 Alt+Tab switcher. Separate setup programs are provided for Intel or AMD processors and Snapdragon processors. Built-in updates can be configured, checked, and installed from the Properties interface. The project is distributed under a GPL-2.0 license. Its GitHub repository is identified as the only official distribution channel. Compatibility varies by Windows build, and some features may be unavailable on some versions. The listed plan price is free.