ExplorerPatcher is a free, open-source program that changes the Windows shell. Its best-known features bring back Windows 10-style elements on Windows 11: the taskbar, the Start menu and the Alt+Tab window switcher, along with many File Explorer options. After installation you configure it by right-clicking the taskbar and choosing Properties.
When to use ExplorerPatcher
- On a personal Windows 11 PC where you want the Windows 10 taskbar or Start menu back.
- When you are comfortable recovering Explorer if an update breaks it. The FAQ’s recovery steps are in our safety check.
When not to use it
- On work or mission-critical machines. The developers have warned that Microsoft’s monthly updates “can cause Explorer to be unstable or fail to start at all” if EP has not been updated to match.
- With Smart App Control on. Release notes say to turn it off first, or explorer.exe may not start on new EP versions.
- With SentinelOne installed. The developers report it can block uninstallation.
- If you want small, separate changes. Windhawk applies individual mods instead.
Requirements
Use ep_setup.exe on Intel or AMD PCs and ep_setup_arm64.exe on Snapdragon PCs. Release 70.3 lists the Windows builds it was tested on, from 22621.4317 through 24H2 (26100), 25H2 (26200) and 26H1 (28000). On 24H2 and later, Microsoft removed the Windows 10 taskbar, so EP uses its own reimplementation, which you enable in Properties.
Verify your download
The developers say the GitHub repository is “the only official distribution channel” and that copies from anywhere else “may contain malware.” The installer is not code-signed, so compare Get-FileHash .\ep_setup.exe with the SHA-256 below. The current release notes say Windows Defender no longer flags ExplorerPatcher; third-party antivirus tools may still need exclusions.
Questions
How do I uninstall ExplorerPatcher?
Right-click the taskbar, choose Properties, then Uninstall. You can also use Settings > Apps, run ep_setup.exe /uninstall, or rename the installer to ep_uninstall.exe and run it.
Is ExplorerPatcher safe?
It is open source and built on GitHub’s servers, but it patches Explorer, and Windows updates have broken it before. Read our full safety check.
Should I install the 70.4 pre-release?
Only if you run a Windows Insider build it fixes. Stay on 70.3 otherwise.
Can I install it with winget?
A valinet.ExplorerPatcher package exists, but it lagged behind the current release when we checked. Download from GitHub.
