Fret not; it’s possible to get them back. Here’s how to add Windows 10-style Live Tiles to Windows 11.
What are Live Tiles?
Introduced in Windows 8, and carried over into Windows 10, Live Tiles are designed to display “Live” information in the Start Menu. This automatically updating information could be your latest photos, breaking news stories, calendar events, or email messages.
The list of apps that are compatible with Live Tiles was never huge. Several of the Microsoft apps have the option, along with a select few third-party apps. It was a Windows feature that wasn’t as well-supported as it might have deserved. That is likely the reason it didn’t make it into Windows 11.
If you found Live Tiles to be a handy feature, the simplified Start Menu in Windows 11 may feel like a step backward. Luckily, there is a way to get them back, although they won’t be displayed in the same way as in Windows 10.
How to Install Live Tiles Anywhere
The easiest way to get Live Tiles back, without using one of the apps that make a whole new kind of Windows 11 Start menu, is using the Live Tiles Anywhere app.
Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows 11 computer, and search for Live Tiles Anywhere. Alternatively, visit the Live Tiles Anywhere page via your browser.
Click the Get button to begin the download and installation. You can then click Open to get started. You can also find the app in the main apps list in the Start Menu.
The app is free and doesn’t include in-app purchases or adverts. You can support the app developer through a donation if you wish, but if not, there is nothing to pay.
How to Create Live Tiles in Windows 11
With the app installed and open on the screen, you can start creating your Live Tiles.
Click the All Apps tab and find the app you want to create a Live Tile for. Right-click on it and select Create a Widget. A tile will then appear on the desktop. You can move the tile around. Repeat this process to create any Live Tiles you want to display. The tiles can be positioned anywhere, either individually or as a group. The tiles will snap to a grid when placed close together. Clicking on the Live Tile will open the app it refers to. A restart might be required if the tile isn’t displaying live information. You can keep the tiles on display or hide/reveal them by pressing Win + D.
How to Editing the Live Tiles
You can edit tiles as you create them, or after they are set up and positioned on your desktop.
Open the Live Tiles Anywhere app. You will see all the tiles you created in the Custom Tiles tab. Right-click on a tile and select Edit. At the top of the Tile Editor are several buttons for saving, refreshing, testing, and saving your changes. You can edit the visual style of the tiles, including how each different tile size looks. In the Element to Execute section, you can choose which app is opened when you click the tile on the desktop. Or set the tile as non-clickable. You can also change the background and text color of the tile. When you have finished editing, click Save and Close Editor.
How to Change the Tile Size and Shape
The final thing to do is decide the size and shape of the tiles you want to display.
In the app, select the Settings tab. Here you can change the corner radius of the tiles. Use the slider to change from square to circular or something in between. You can also choose if the tiles snap to a grid or can be placed freely. To change the size, right-click on the Live Tiles on the desktop and choose from one of the four size options.
Live Tiles Are Now Back in Windows 11
Although you can’t get Live Tiles back in the Start Menu, being able to add them to the desktop is possibly even more user-friendly. You can add as many or as few as you like and customize them to suit your needs.
