The Windhawk Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Windhawk in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Windhawk
The Insider’s Guide
Mod marketplace for customizing Windows programs and the shell
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Windhawk’s own pages.
Made by Ramen Software · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Windhawk’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Windhawk’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade
Windhawk is a free Windows program that installs small mods which change how the taskbar, Start menu and other applications look and behave. Each mod is offered as source code that can be reviewed, and mods are customized through options in the app.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Windhawk, taken from its own pages and our grades.
What a mod does depends on whoever wrote it, and it is Windows only.
- 1
Best for tweaking the Windows shell with community mods
Windhawk is a free marketplace of small mods that change Windows and its programs, each shipped as source code.
- 2
It is free
Windhawk has no paid plan at all. Free to download; the project is released under the GPL-3.0 license.
- 3
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 4
Mod marketplace
Browse and install community mods from inside the app. The home page features mods such as a Start menu styler and a vertical taskbar for Windows 11.
- 5
Mods as source code
Each mod comes as source code that you can read before installing, so you can check what it does.
- 6
Per-program targeting
Every mod lists the programs it applies to, for example explorer.exe or StartMenuExperienceHost.exe.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 116 of 186
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Windhawk is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Windhawk at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- Ramen Software
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for tweaking the Windows shell with community mods
Windhawk is a free marketplace of small mods that change Windows and its programs, each shipped as source code. What a mod does depends on whoever wrote it, and it is Windows only.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free under GPL-3.0. Nothing to pay, below any category price. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free to download with no cap. No trial clock and no paid tier. |
| Features | B | A mod marketplace with per-program targeting and options for each mod, running in the background. The job is wide and the listing shows no gap. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record. Mods install in a couple of clicks, but you have to pick and trust them one by one. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows only; no Mac or Linux version. Windows only; no Mac or Linux version is listed, and no phone or web one. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Windhawk is for
- Fits if you want to change small things in Explorer or the taskbar
- Works for people who can read a mod's source before installing it
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you use a Mac or Linux, as only Windows is listed
- Watch out: mods come from community authors, so what each one changes depends on who wrote it
- Watch out: some mods target specific Windows versions, like the Windows 11 Start menu styler
- Skip it if you want one supported tool, since there is no vendor help desk on record
Good to know
Good for
- Windows users who want to change taskbar or Start menu behavior
- People who want to read a mod's source before running it
Worth knowing
- Windows only; no macOS or Linux version is listed.
- Mods are written by community authors, so what a mod changes depends on its author.
- Some mods target specific Windows versions, such as the Windows 11 Start menu styler.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Windhawk is free to use.
Nothing to pay, below any category price.
Free
$0
Free to download and use, with all listed mods.
The free plan
Free to download; the project is released under the GPL-3.0 license.
Read from windhawk.net on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Mod marketplace for customizing Windows programs and the shell. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, window management.
A mod marketplace with per-program targeting and options for each mod, running in the background.
- Mod marketplace
- Browse and install community mods from inside the app. The home page features mods such as a Start menu styler and a vertical taskbar for Windows 11.
- Mods as source code
- Each mod comes as source code that you can read before installing, so you can check what it does.
- Per-program targeting
- Every mod lists the programs it applies to, for example explorer.exe or StartMenuExperienceHost.exe.
- Options for each mod
- Mods are customized through options in the interface; the vendor says no computer expertise is needed.
- Runs in the background
- The vendor says it is designed to run constantly without a noticeable impact on the system.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Windhawk is made by Ramen Software.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
116/186
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
Windhawk's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 37.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Windhawk has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Windhawk’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186
- BFeaturesAbove 113 of 186
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 186
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 186
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Windhawk is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Windhawk is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- Control over other apps' windows.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Windhawk’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Microsoft PowerToys, Open-Shell, StartAllBack and AutoHotkey
The 4 tools Windhawk is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Microsoft PowerToys
Free
Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11.
- Microsoft PowerToys also covers launcher, file management and keyboard and mouse remapping.
- 3.0GPA
Open-Shell
Free
Free classic-style Start menu and Explorer tweaks for Windows.
- Windhawk also covers window management.
- Open-Shell also covers launcher.
- 2.4GPA
StartAllBack
Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
Windows 11 taskbar, Start menu and Explorer restyling tool.
- Windhawk has a free plan. StartAllBack does not, though it has a free trial.
- Windhawk is open source, according to its own site.
- StartAllBack can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.6GPA
AutoHotkey
Free
Free, open-source scripting language for Windows automation.
- Windhawk also covers window management.
- AutoHotkey also covers workflow automation, text expansion and keyboard and mouse remapping.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Windhawk free?
Yes. Windhawk is free to use.
How much does Windhawk cost?
Windhawk lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Windhawk work on?
Windhawk is available on Windows.
Does Windhawk have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Windhawk is listed for Windows.
Does Windhawk have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Windhawk is listed for Windows.
Is Windhawk open source?
Yes. Windhawk is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes Windhawk?
Windhawk is made by Ramen Software.
What are the alternatives to Windhawk?
The closest alternatives to Windhawk in our directory are Microsoft PowerToys, Open-Shell, StartAllBack and AutoHotkey.
How does Windhawk compare with other desktop utilities?
Windhawk's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 37.
Is Windhawk good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Windhawk A for value for money. Windhawk has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Windhawk?
Windhawk is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Windhawk’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Ramen Software's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Ramen Software. Prices change, so check windhawk.net before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Windhawk, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/windhawk
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Windhawk: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/windhawk
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/windhawk/guide
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See our other guides
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Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Windhawk’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Windhawk is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Ramen Software. Prices and plans change: check windhawk.net before you buy.