Make Windows 11 Look STUNNING with the GLASS THEME!

Are you tired of the standard, dull Windows desktop? This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to achieve the ultimate sleek transformation: the **Windows 11 Glass Theme**! We’re not just changing wallpapers; we’re installing powerful tools like Windhawk and Rainmeter to give your PC a modern, transparent Aero Glass aesthetic. Get ready for the most beautiful Windows 11 Customization you’ve ever seen.

Watch the Full Tutorial: Windows 11 Glass Theme Installation

Prerequisites: Preparing Windows 11 for Customization

Before diving into the beautiful visual changes, we need to ensure your system is ready. These initial steps are crucial for the mods we will be installing.

Step 1: Enable Dark Mode

The glass theme looks significantly better when paired with a dark aesthetic. Let’s activate it:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Navigate to Personalization, then select Colors.
3. Under “Choose your mode,” change the selection to Dark mode.

Step 2: Verify Windows 11 Version (25H2 or Newer)

For these specific theme modifications to work correctly, you must be running Windows 11 version 25H2 or newer. Here’s how to check:

1. Click the Windows button and type “about” into the search bar.
2. Open About your PC.
3. Scroll down to Windows specifications to check your version.
4. If your version is older, go to Windows Update to check for new updates.

Enabling the Redesigned Windows 11 Start Menu

Microsoft is rolling out a new Start Menu design, but it might not be available to everyone yet. We can force-enable it using the ViveTool.

Downloading and Preparing the Necessary Files

To streamline the process, use the files provided in the description. You will need these for the subsequent Windhawk customizations.

1. Download the main zip file from the link provided in the description (this contains our code files).
2. Extract the contents of the zip file to an easily accessible location.
3. Inside the extracted folder, locate and open the ViveTool link.

Activating the New Start Menu via Command Prompt

This process involves using the command line to configure the feature. Ensure you run Command Prompt as an administrator.

1. Download the ViveTool zip file corresponding to your processor architecture (most users should select the standard Windows 11 version, unless you have an ARM processor).
2. Extract the ViveTool files.
3. Open Command Prompt (CMD) and select Run as administrator.
4. Type cd followed by a space, then paste the path to your extracted ViveTool folder (e.g., cd C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\ViVeTool). Hit Enter.
5. Go back to your downloaded files and open the code Vive tool text file to copy the necessary command.
6. Paste this command into the CMD window and hit Enter. You should see a “Successfully configured” message.
7. Restart your computer to see the redesigned Start Menu take effect.

[IMAGE: Screenshot showing the newly enabled Windows 11 redesigned Start Menu]

The Main Event: Creating the Beautiful Glass Transparent Taskbar

Now that the foundation is set, we move on to achieving the Transparent Taskbar and the full Aero Glass Theme using the fantastic modification tool, Windhawk. This software is key for deep-level Taskbar Customization.

Installing and Configuring Windhawk

1. Go back to your initial downloaded folder and open the link labeled Winhawk.
2. Download and install the Windhawk setup file on your PC.
3. Open Windhawk and navigate to the Explore tab.

Mod 1: Adjusting Taskbar Height and Icon Size

A crucial first step for the visual balance of the Glass Taskbar.

1. Search for the mod called Taskbar height and icon size and click Install.
2. Go to the mod’s Settings tab.
3. Input the following values (you may need slight adjustments based on your monitor):
   • Taskbar Height: 58
   • Icon Size: 30
   • Taskbar Button Width: 48
4. Click Save.

Mod 2: Achieving True Transparency with Taskbar Styler

This mod provides the core code needed for the glass effect.

1. In the Windhawk Explorer tab, search for and install Taskbar Styler.
2. Navigate to the Advanced tab within Taskbar Styler settings.
3. Open the code modern taskbar text file from your downloaded folder.
4. Copy the entire code provided in that text file.
5. Paste this code into the advanced settings window in Windhawk and immediately click Save. Your taskbar should now look beautifully transparent!

Fixing Maximize Window Issues with Taskbar Background Helper

Sometimes, the taskbar glass effect causes visual glitches with maximized windows. We fix this by applying a specific background style.

1. Search for and install the Taskbar background helper mod.
2. Go to its settings and change the background style to Acrylic blur.
3. Set the color values precisely: Red: 62, Green: 63, Blue: 64.
4. Click Save.

Mod 4 & 5: Glassmorphic Start Menu and Notification Center

To complete the cohesive Glassmorphic design, we apply the style to the other major UI elements.

1. Search for and install Start Menu Styler.
2. Paste the corresponding code into its Advanced tab and click Save. Your Start Menu should instantly adopt the transparent glass look.
3. Finally, search for and install Notification Center Styler.
4. Copy and paste its provided code into the Advanced tab and hit Save.

Quick Note: The taskbar search box may currently malfunction with the glass theme. The recommended workaround is to hide it until a future patch updates the Windhawk Customization options.

Taking It Further: Adding Rainmeter Widgets for Ultimate Aesthetics

To make your desktop truly stand out with your new transparent theme, we integrate Rainmeter Skins to add functional and beautiful widgets.

Installing Rainmeter Software

1. Find the link to the Rainmeter site in your downloaded folder resources.
2. Download and install the software onto your PC.
3. Upon first launch, Rainmeter may load default widgets. Right-click each one and select Unload skin to clear your desktop.

Installing the Dark Glass Rainmeter Skin

1. Go back to your downloaded folder and open the link for the new Rainmeter skin (it should link to a GitHub repository).
2. In the assets section, download the file ending with .rmskin.
3. Simply open this downloaded file to launch the skin installer.
4. In the settings window, choose your desired time/temperature format and click Apply Theme.
5. Select the first layout option.
6. Crucially, select the dark glass style to perfectly match your new taskbar theme.
7. Choose a complementary wallpaper from the available options provided by the skin.

The power of Rainmeter Skins lies in customization. Right-click any loaded widget and select Alternative to cycle through different visual styles and layouts for that specific widget. Drag and drop them around until you achieve your perfect arrangement. You can always return to the main settings by right-clicking the plus (+) icon on your desktop.

Conclusion: Your Transformed Windows 11 Desktop

Congratulations! You have successfully implemented the Windows 11 Glass Theme. By combining Windhawk mods for the taskbar, start menu, and notification center, and layering on custom Rainmeter widgets, your Windows 11 desktop is now a unique, modern, and stunning piece of custom hardware. Enjoy your beautiful, highly customized setup!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is using Windhawk safe for my Windows installation?

Windhawk is generally considered safe as it modifies the user interface via plugins (mods) that operate within user space, rather than core system files. However, always download mods from trusted sources, like those provided here, and be cautious when applying third-party code.

2. Why doesn’t the taskbar search box work after applying the glass theme?

This is a known compatibility issue with the current version of the Taskbar Styler mod. The video recommends temporarily hiding the search box via system settings until a compatible update is released by the developers.

3. Can I revert these changes if I don’t like the Glass Theme?

Yes. You can uninstall each Windhawk mod individually within the Windhawk application, which will restore the default Windows appearance. Rainmeter skins can be unloaded or uninstalled easily.

4. Do I need Windows 11 25H2 specifically, or will any recent build work?

The tutorial explicitly states that version 25H2 or newer is required, particularly for the Start Menu enablement step using ViveTool, as this relies on specific internal Windows flags.

5. How do I keep my Rainmeter widgets visible after restarting?

When installing a new skin (like the Dark Glass skin), ensure you select the option to “Load skin at startup” or check the ‘Settings’ in the main Rainmeter interface to confirm that the desired skins are set to load automatically on boot.