Adding an animated background to your desktop is one of the simplest ways to make it stand out, and Lively Wallpaper is a fantastic free app that makes it possible.

Lively wallpaper

Although ExplorerPatcher is a Windows customization tool that doesn't specifically concentrate on aesthetics, you might find some of the tweaks here intriguing.  

Explorer Patcher

I love free apps like Lively Wallpaper, but Wallpaper Engine is a great way to personalize your PC if you're willing to spend a little cash.

Wallpaper Engine

For Windows mods, Windhawk is a community-driven platform that is surprisingly powerful.

Wind Hawk

Since the Start menu in Windows 11 is one of the main sources of annoyance for users, many people consider a tool like Start11 to be practically essential.  

Start 11

TranslucentTB is a very simple app that makes clear what it is designed to do. Its purpose is to give you a taskbar that is appropriately translucent or transparent.  

Translucent TB

Rainmeter functions by allowing you to download community-made plug-ins, also known as skins, which can add new features, user interface components, and more.

Rain Meter