How to Make Your Windows PC Look Minimalist Like a Mac

Windows PCs and Mac computers are often seen as opposites. Macs are known for their clean, minimalist design. Windows is praised for flexibility but criticized for looking messy. What if you could have the best of both? Good news: You can.

You can give your Windows PC a sleek, modern look with just a few simple tweaks. It won’t hurt performance or make anything harder to use. In fact, these changes can help you work faster, stay organized, and feel less distracted. Let’s go over the best ways to give your PC a fresh, minimal vibe, no technical skills required.

1. Make Your Taskbar Transparent

Your wallpaper deserves to be seen. You probably spent time picking a great wallpaper. Maybe it’s a photo you love or something clean and calming. But your taskbar blocks part of it. That’s where transparency comes in.

Option 1: Use a free app
Download TranslucentTB. It makes your taskbar almost invisible, except for the icons. It uses barely any system power, so your PC won’t slow down.

Option 2: Use built-in Windows settings
Right-click on the taskbar > Click Taskbar settings
Then:

• Turn on “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode”
• Turn on “Use small taskbar buttons”

This hides the bar when not in use or shrinks it to take up less space. Either way, your wallpaper gets more attention, and your screen looks cleaner.

2. Clean Up the Taskbar

Take a good look at your taskbar. Are there icons you never touch? Maybe once you click by mistake? They’re just taking up space.

Here’s how to fix that:

• Right-click any icon you don’t use
• Select Unpin from taskbar

It disappears instantly. Don’t worry, it’s not uninstalled. You can add it back any time by searching for the app, right-clicking, and choosing Pin to taskbar.

Only keep the apps you use daily. The rest? Launch them through the Start Menu or Search bar when needed. A lighter taskbar makes your PC feel faster and more focused.

3. Shrink or Hide Desktop Icons on Windows PC

A clean desktop equals a clear mind. Many people store everything on the desktop. It’s easy, but it gets messy fast. If you can’t go fully icon-free, shrinking them is the next best thing.

Here’s how:

• Right-click an empty area on your desktop
• Go to View > Small icons

Done. Everything gets smaller instantly. Want to go even further?

You can hide all icons:

• Right-click again
• Go to View
• Uncheck Show desktop icons

Now your desktop looks like a Mac, clean and open. All your files and shortcuts are still there, just hidden. You can bring them back anytime.

4. Pin Your Must-Have Apps to the Start Menu

Make your Start Menu work for you. We all have go-to apps. Maybe it’s your browser, a music app, or something for work. Make them easy to reach by pinning them to the Start Menu.

Start by removing stuff you don’t need:

• Open the Start Menu
• Right-click any tile or app you don’t use
• Select Unpin from Start

Now pin your top apps:

• Search for the app
• Right-click it
• Choose Pin to Start

You’ll now see these apps on the right side of the Start Menu every time you open it. No more scrolling or typing to find them.

This little trick saves you time and keeps your Start Menu tidy.

5. Turn Off Unused System Icons on Windows PC

Some icons in the taskbar corner are useful, like Wi-Fi, battery, and volume. But others? Not so much.

To clean them up:

• Go to Settings > Personalisation> Taskbar
• Click Other system tray icons
• Turn off the ones you don’t need

Your system tray will look much cleaner. And again, nothing is being removed — you’re just hiding what you rarely use.

6. Use Dark Mode or Light Mode — Not Both

Windows lets you choose between Light mode, Dark mode, or both. If your system and apps are using different modes, things can look messy or mismatched.

To fix this:

• Go to Settings > Personalisation> Colors
• Pick Light or Dark under “Choose your mode”

Dark mode is great for low light. Light mode looks clean and fresh during the day. Either one looks great — just stay consistent for a smoother look.

7. Remove Desktop Widgets from Windows PC (If You Don’t Use Them)

Windows has widgets like weather, news, and traffic. Some people love them, but if you don’t use them, they just add clutter.

To turn them off:

• Right-click the taskbar
• Click Taskbar settings
• Toggle off Widgets

It’s one less thing crowding your screen.

8. Use One Wallpaper, Not a Slideshow

Slideshows are fun but distracting. If you want a true minimalist setup, pick one wallpaper that feels clean, calm, or inspiring. Solid colors, abstract art, or scenic photos work well. Just avoid anything too busy or bright. Set your wallpaper:

• Right-click the desktop
• Click Personalize
• Choose your image or browse for one
• Under “Choose a fit,” select Fill for the best look

This gives your setup a polished, professional vibe.

Final Thoughts: Why Go Minimal?

A minimalist desktop isn’t just about looks. It helps you focus, stay organized, and feel more in control. When your screen is full of icons, windows, and apps, your brain works harder to process everything. You might not notice it, but it adds stress and slows you down. A clean setup removes those distractions.

You don’t need to go full Mac to enjoy that clean, modern feel. Windows is just as capable — it just takes a few settings and a bit of effort. Try out these tips. You might be surprised how much better your PC feels.