Aurora Canvas Start Menu for Windows 11
The Aurora Canvas Start Menu For Windows 11 gives the standard Start menu a softer, more colorful and modern appearance. It is designed for users who enjoy desktop customization but still want the Start menu to remain clean, readable and practical.
This visual style uses an aurora-inspired color palette with smooth gradients, dark translucent surfaces and rounded interface elements. The result is a Start menu that feels more personal while keeping familiar Windows 11 features such as pinned apps, recommendations, account controls and power options.
The style is intended for use with a compatible Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod through Windhawk. Users should install Windhawk and related mods carefully from trusted sources and review all compatibility information before applying custom settings.
What Is This Windhawk Style?
The Aurora Canvas Start Menu is a custom visual configuration for the Windows 11 Start menu. It changes the appearance of supported interface elements through Windhawk styling rules.
The style focuses on presentation rather than adding or removing core Windows features. Your applications and Start menu controls continue to work normally, but the surrounding panels, backgrounds, buttons and highlighted items receive a redesigned appearance.
The word “Aurora” reflects the flowing blue, cyan, purple, pink and green tones commonly associated with northern-light visuals. The “Canvas” concept represents a smooth background surface where app icons and Start menu sections are displayed clearly.
This makes the style suitable for users who want a colorful interface without using an overly bright or crowded design.
Design Overview
The Aurora Canvas design combines a dark base with soft gradient accents. The darker background helps app icons and text remain visible, while the aurora colors add depth and personality.
The main Start menu panel may use a translucent or lightly blurred surface that allows part of the desktop wallpaper to remain visible. This can create a layered glass-like effect when Windows transparency is enabled.
Rounded corners help the Start menu match the modern design language of Windows 11. Individual sections may also use subtle borders, soft shadows or slightly different background tones to separate pinned apps from recommendations and lower controls.
The visual style is built around several design elements:
- Soft blue, purple, cyan and pink gradients
- Dark translucent Start menu surfaces
- Rounded main panels and buttons
- Clear spacing between interface sections
- Subtle borders and shadow effects
- Colorful hover and selection states
- Readable text with balanced contrast
The final appearance may vary depending on your wallpaper, Windows accent color, display scaling and transparency settings.
- Custom Windows 11 Start menu appearance
- Designed for Windhawk mod customization
- Aurora-inspired gradient color palette
- Modern desktop personalization
- Rounded Start menu panels and controls
- Soft translucent or glass-style background
- Clean pinned-app presentation
- Colorful hover and selected-item effects
- Works well with matching themes and icons
- Keeps familiar Windows Start menu functions
- 21H2 Yes
- 22H2 Yes
- 22H3 Yes
- 24H2 Yes
- Windows 11 25H2: YES work, but test carefully after Windows updates
- Download and install Windhawk
- Open Windhawk and install the Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod
- Go to the Advanced tab
- Paste the provided configuration code into the “Mod settings” box
- Click Save to apply the style
- For more details, visit this GitHub guide
- Windahwk Style more Windahwk Style
{ "styleConstants[0]": "CanvasBackground=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"28\" TintColor=\"#0B1420\" TintOpacity=\"0.94\" TintLuminosityOpacity=\"0.06\" TintSaturation=\"0.68\" NoiseOpacity=\"0.010\" NoiseDensity=\"1.0\" FallbackColor=\"#FC0B1420\" />", "styleConstants[1]": "PanelBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#E8142533\" />", "styleConstants[2]": "PanelBrushAlt=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#F01A3141\" />", "styleConstants[3]": "SearchBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#F0102130\" />", "styleConstants[4]": "DockBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#F00F2632\" />", "styleConstants[5]": "HoverBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#F0254657\" />", "styleConstants[6]": "PressedBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#F0325A6B\" />", "styleConstants[7]": "SelectedBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#CC315D70\" />", "styleConstants[8]": "TextBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#FFF4F8FA\" />", "styleConstants[9]": "MutedBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#FFADC1CB\" />", "styleConstants[10]": "TealBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#FF62E1D2\" />", "styleConstants[11]": "CoralBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#FFFF7A70\" />", "styleConstants[12]": "GoldBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#FFFFD166\" />", "styleConstants[13]": "FineLineBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#5562E1D2\" />", "styleConstants[14]": "StrongLineBrush=<SolidColorBrush Color=\"#AA62E1D2\" />", "styleConstants[15]": "AuroraBorder=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0,0\" EndPoint=\"1,1\"><GradientStop Color=\"#CC62E1D2\" Offset=\"0\" /><GradientStop Color=\"#AAFFD166\" Offset=\"0.52\" /><GradientStop Color=\"#AAFF7A70\" Offset=\"1\" /></LinearGradientBrush>", "styleConstants[16]": "PanelCorner=20", "styleConstants[17]": "ControlCorner=14", "styleConstants[18]": "ThinBorder=1", "styleConstants[19]": "StrongBorder=2", "controlStyles[0].target": "StartMenu.StartBlendedFlexFrame", "controlStyles[0].styles[0]": "ActualWidth=>frameWidth", "controlStyles[0].styles[1]": "ActualHeight=>frameHeight", "controlStyles[1].target": "StartMenu.StartBlendedFlexFrame > Grid#FrameRoot", "controlStyles[1].styles[0]": "MinHeight={{frameHeight}}", "controlStyles[1].styles[1]": "MaxHeight={{frameHeight}}", "controlStyles[1].styles[2]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[1].styles[3]": "Padding=0", "controlStyles[2].target": "Grid#MainMenu", "controlStyles[2].styles[0]": "MinWidth={{frameWidth}}", "controlStyles[2].styles[1]": "Width={{frameWidth}}", "controlStyles[2].styles[2]": "Background=Transparent", "controlStyles[3].target": "Border#AcrylicOverlay", "controlStyles[3].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[4].target": "Border#AcrylicBorder", "controlStyles[4].styles[0]": "RequestedTheme=2", "controlStyles[4].styles[1]": "Background:=$CanvasBackground", "controlStyles[4].styles[2]": "BorderBrush:=$AuroraBorder", "controlStyles[4].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=0", "controlStyles[4].styles[4]": "CornerRadius=0", "controlStyles[5].target": "Border#AppBorder", "controlStyles[5].styles[0]": "RequestedTheme=2", "controlStyles[5].styles[1]": "Background:=$CanvasBackground", "controlStyles[5].styles[2]": "BorderBrush:=$AuroraBorder", "controlStyles[5].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=0", "controlStyles[5].styles[4]": "CornerRadius=0", "controlStyles[6].target": "Border#AccentAppBorder", "controlStyles[6].styles[0]": "RequestedTheme=2", "controlStyles[6].styles[1]": "Background:=$CanvasBackground", "controlStyles[6].styles[2]": "BorderBrush:=$AuroraBorder", "controlStyles[6].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=0", "controlStyles[6].styles[4]": "CornerRadius=0", "controlStyles[7].target": "Border#StartDropShadow", "controlStyles[7].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=0", "controlStyles[8].target": "Border#StartDropShadowDismissTarget", "controlStyles[8].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=0", "controlStyles[9].target": "StartMenu.SearchBoxToggleButton", "controlStyles[9].styles[0]": "Width=680", "controlStyles[9].styles[1]": "Height=50", "controlStyles[9].styles[2]": "HorizontalAlignment=Center", "controlStyles[9].styles[3]": "Margin=0,30,0,18", "controlStyles[10].target": "StartMenu.SearchBoxToggleButton > Grid@CommonStates > Border#BorderElement", "controlStyles[10].styles[0]": "Background@Normal:=$SearchBrush", "controlStyles[10].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=$PanelBrushAlt", "controlStyles[10].styles[2]": "Background@Pressed:=$PressedBrush", "controlStyles[10].styles[3]": "Background@Checked:=$SearchBrush", "controlStyles[10].styles[4]": "Background@CheckedPointerOver:=$PanelBrushAlt", "controlStyles[10].styles[5]": "Background@CheckedPressed:=$PressedBrush", "controlStyles[10].styles[6]": "BorderBrush@Normal:=$FineLineBrush", "controlStyles[10].styles[7]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=$TealBrush", "controlStyles[10].styles[8]": "BorderBrush@Pressed:=$CoralBrush", "controlStyles[10].styles[9]": "BorderBrush@Checked:=$GoldBrush", "controlStyles[10].styles[10]": "BorderThickness=$StrongBorder", "controlStyles[10].styles[11]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[10].styles[12]": "BackgroundTransition:=<BrushTransition Duration=\"0:0:0.10\" />", "controlStyles[11].target": "Grid@SearchBoxInputStates > Border#TaskbarSearchBackground", "controlStyles[11].styles[0]": "Background@NoFocus:=$SearchBrush", "controlStyles[11].styles[1]": "Background@SearchBoxHover:=$PanelBrushAlt", "controlStyles[11].styles[2]": "Background@ActiveInput:=$SearchBrush", "controlStyles[11].styles[3]": "BorderBrush:=$TealBrush", "controlStyles[11].styles[4]": "BorderThickness=$StrongBorder", "controlStyles[11].styles[5]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[12].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList", "controlStyles[12].styles[0]": "Width=1080", "controlStyles[12].styles[1]": "Height=520", "controlStyles[12].styles[2]": "HorizontalAlignment=Center", "controlStyles[12].styles[3]": "Margin=0", "controlStyles[13].target": "StartMenu.PinnedList#StartMenuPinnedList > Grid#Root", "controlStyles[13].styles[0]": "Background:=$PanelBrush", "controlStyles[13].styles[1]": "BorderBrush:=$AuroraBorder", "controlStyles[13].styles[2]": "BorderThickness=$StrongBorder", "controlStyles[13].styles[3]": "CornerRadius=$PanelCorner", "controlStyles[13].styles[4]": "Padding=18,12,18,16", "controlStyles[14].target": "TextBlock#PinnedListHeaderText", "controlStyles[14].styles[0]": "Text=AURORA CANVAS", "controlStyles[14].styles[1]": "Margin=18,2,0,12", "controlStyles[14].styles[2]": "Foreground:=$TealBrush", "controlStyles[14].styles[3]": "FontSize=20", "controlStyles[14].styles[4]": "FontWeight=SemiBold", "controlStyles[14].styles[5]": "CharacterSpacing=90", "controlStyles[15].target": "GridView#PinnedList > Border > ScrollViewer", "controlStyles[15].styles[0]": "MaxHeight=440", "controlStyles[15].styles[1]": "Padding=8", "controlStyles[15].styles[2]": "VerticalScrollBarVisibility=Auto", "controlStyles[16].target": "Border#ContentBorder@CommonStates > Grid > Border#BackgroundBorder", "controlStyles[16].styles[0]": "Background@Normal=Transparent", "controlStyles[16].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=$HoverBrush", "controlStyles[16].styles[2]": "Background@Pressed:=$PressedBrush", "controlStyles[16].styles[3]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=$TealBrush", "controlStyles[16].styles[4]": "BorderBrush@Pressed:=$CoralBrush", "controlStyles[16].styles[5]": "BorderThickness=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[16].styles[6]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[16].styles[7]": "BackgroundSizing=InnerBorderEdge", "controlStyles[16].styles[8]": "BackgroundTransition:=<BrushTransition Duration=\"0:0:0.09\" />", "controlStyles[17].target": "Button > Grid@CommonStates > Border#BackgroundBorder", "controlStyles[17].styles[0]": "Background@Normal=Transparent", "controlStyles[17].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=$HoverBrush", "controlStyles[17].styles[2]": "Background@Pressed:=$PressedBrush", "controlStyles[17].styles[3]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=$GoldBrush", "controlStyles[17].styles[4]": "BorderBrush@Pressed:=$CoralBrush", "controlStyles[17].styles[5]": "BorderThickness=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[17].styles[6]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[18].target": "GridView#AllAppsGrid > Border > ScrollViewer#ScrollViewer > Border#Root > Grid > ScrollContentPresenter#ScrollContentPresenter > ItemsPresenter > ItemsWrapGrid", "controlStyles[18].styles[0]": "MaximumRowsOrColumns:=", "controlStyles[18].styles[1]": "Margin=90,12,90,0", "controlStyles[19].target": "Grid#AllListHeading", "controlStyles[19].styles[0]": "Width=1080", "controlStyles[19].styles[1]": "Height=44", "controlStyles[19].styles[2]": "HorizontalAlignment=Center", "controlStyles[19].styles[3]": "Margin=0,8,0,10", "controlStyles[19].styles[4]": "Background:=$PanelBrush", "controlStyles[19].styles[5]": "BorderBrush:=$FineLineBrush", "controlStyles[19].styles[6]": "BorderThickness=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[19].styles[7]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[20].target": "Grid#AllListHeading > TextBlock#AllListHeadingText", "controlStyles[20].styles[0]": "Margin=18,0,12,0", "controlStyles[20].styles[1]": "VerticalAlignment=Center", "controlStyles[20].styles[2]": "Foreground:=$GoldBrush", "controlStyles[20].styles[3]": "FontSize=17", "controlStyles[20].styles[4]": "FontWeight=SemiBold", "controlStyles[21].target": "Grid#AllListHeading > Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.DropDownButton#ViewSelectionButton", "controlStyles[21].styles[0]": "Margin=0,6,10,6", "controlStyles[22].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.DropDownButton > Grid@CommonStates", "controlStyles[22].styles[0]": "Background@Normal:=$PanelBrushAlt", "controlStyles[22].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=$HoverBrush", "controlStyles[22].styles[2]": "Background@Pressed:=$PressedBrush", "controlStyles[22].styles[3]": "BorderBrush@Normal:=$FineLineBrush", "controlStyles[22].styles[4]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=$TealBrush", "controlStyles[22].styles[5]": "BorderBrush@Pressed:=$CoralBrush", "controlStyles[22].styles[6]": "BorderThickness@Normal=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[22].styles[7]": "BorderThickness@PointerOver=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[22].styles[8]": "BorderThickness@Pressed=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[22].styles[9]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[22].styles[10]": "Padding=11,4,9,4", "controlStyles[23].target": "StartDocked.AppListViewItem > Grid@CommonStates > Border#BackgroundBorder", "controlStyles[23].styles[0]": "Background@Normal:=$PanelBrush", "controlStyles[23].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=$HoverBrush", "controlStyles[23].styles[2]": "Background@Pressed:=$PressedBrush", "controlStyles[23].styles[3]": "BorderBrush@Normal:=$FineLineBrush", "controlStyles[23].styles[4]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=$TealBrush", "controlStyles[23].styles[5]": "BorderBrush@Pressed:=$CoralBrush", "controlStyles[23].styles[6]": "BorderThickness=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[23].styles[7]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[23].styles[8]": "Margin=5,2,5,2", "controlStyles[24].target": "ListViewItem > Grid@CommonStates > Border#BorderBackground", "controlStyles[24].styles[0]": "Background@Normal:=$PanelBrush", "controlStyles[24].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=$HoverBrush", "controlStyles[24].styles[2]": "Background@Selected:=$SelectedBrush", "controlStyles[24].styles[3]": "Background@Pressed:=$PressedBrush", "controlStyles[24].styles[4]": "BorderBrush@Normal:=$FineLineBrush", "controlStyles[24].styles[5]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=$TealBrush", "controlStyles[24].styles[6]": "BorderBrush@Selected:=$GoldBrush", "controlStyles[24].styles[7]": "BorderBrush@Pressed:=$CoralBrush", "controlStyles[24].styles[8]": "BorderThickness=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[24].styles[9]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[25].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsListHeader", "controlStyles[25].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[26].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#NoTopLevelSuggestionsText", "controlStyles[26].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[27].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#TopLevelSuggestionsContainer", "controlStyles[27].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[28].target": "Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls.Grid#ShowMoreSuggestions", "controlStyles[28].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed", "controlStyles[29].target": "Grid#NavPanePlaceholder", "controlStyles[29].styles[0]": "Width=680", "controlStyles[29].styles[1]": "Height=60", "controlStyles[29].styles[2]": "HorizontalAlignment=Center", "controlStyles[29].styles[3]": "Margin=0,0,0,28", "controlStyles[29].styles[4]": "Padding=10,4,10,4", "controlStyles[29].styles[5]": "Background:=$DockBrush", "controlStyles[29].styles[6]": "BorderBrush:=$AuroraBorder", "controlStyles[29].styles[7]": "BorderThickness=$StrongBorder", "controlStyles[29].styles[8]": "CornerRadius=$PanelCorner", "controlStyles[30].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneView#UserControl > Grid#RootPanel", "controlStyles[30].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=1", "controlStyles[30].styles[1]": "Background=Transparent", "controlStyles[31].target": "StartDocked.PowerOptionsView#PowerButton", "controlStyles[31].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=0", "controlStyles[32].target": "ItemsStackPanel > ListViewItem", "controlStyles[32].styles[0]": "FlowDirection=0", "controlStyles[33].target": "StartDocked.NavigationPaneButton > Grid@CommonStates > Border#BackgroundBorder", "controlStyles[33].styles[0]": "Background@Normal=Transparent", "controlStyles[33].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOver:=$HoverBrush", "controlStyles[33].styles[2]": "Background@Pressed:=$PressedBrush", "controlStyles[33].styles[3]": "BorderBrush@PointerOver:=$TealBrush", "controlStyles[33].styles[4]": "BorderBrush@Pressed:=$CoralBrush", "controlStyles[33].styles[5]": "BorderThickness=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[33].styles[6]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[34].target": "StartMenu.FolderModal > Grid#Root > Border", "controlStyles[34].styles[0]": "RequestedTheme=2", "controlStyles[34].styles[1]": "Background:=$CanvasBackground", "controlStyles[34].styles[2]": "BorderBrush:=$AuroraBorder", "controlStyles[34].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=$StrongBorder", "controlStyles[34].styles[4]": "CornerRadius=$PanelCorner", "controlStyles[35].target": "StartMenu.ExpandedFolderList > Grid#Root > Border", "controlStyles[35].styles[0]": "RequestedTheme=2", "controlStyles[35].styles[1]": "Background:=$CanvasBackground", "controlStyles[35].styles[2]": "BorderBrush:=$AuroraBorder", "controlStyles[35].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=$StrongBorder", "controlStyles[35].styles[4]": "CornerRadius=$PanelCorner", "controlStyles[36].target": "MenuFlyoutPresenter > Border", "controlStyles[36].styles[0]": "RequestedTheme=2", "controlStyles[36].styles[1]": "Background:=$CanvasBackground", "controlStyles[36].styles[2]": "BorderBrush:=$StrongLineBrush", "controlStyles[36].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[36].styles[4]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner", "controlStyles[37].target": "FlyoutPresenter > Border > ScrollViewer > Border > Grid > ScrollContentPresenter > ContentPresenter > Border", "controlStyles[37].styles[0]": "RequestedTheme=2", "controlStyles[37].styles[1]": "Background:=$CanvasBackground", "controlStyles[37].styles[2]": "BorderBrush:=$StrongLineBrush", "controlStyles[37].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=$ThinBorder", "controlStyles[37].styles[4]": "CornerRadius=$ControlCorner"}Final Thoughts
The Aurora Canvas Start Menu For Windows 11 is a strong option for users who want a colorful, modern and balanced Start menu design. Its dark canvas, soft gradients and rounded interface elements can refresh the desktop without making everyday navigation confusing.
For the best result, use an updated version of Windhawk, confirm that the style supports your Windows build and keep a backup of your original configuration.
When paired with a matching wallpaper, taskbar style and icon pack, Aurora Canvas can become the central visual element of a complete Windows 11 customization setup.
FAQs
Do I need Windhawk for this style?
Yes. The Aurora Canvas design is intended for a compatible Windows 11 Start Menu Styler mod available through Windhawk. Install Windhawk from its trusted official source and follow the mod instructions carefully.
Why is the style not working?
Common causes include an unsupported Windows build, an outdated Windhawk mod, incomplete style code, incorrect targets, another active Start menu theme or the need to restart File Explorer.
Does Aurora Canvas customize the taskbar?
No. This style focuses on the Windows 11 Start menu. A separate compatible Windhawk mod is required to customize the taskbar.
Can I restore the default Windows 11 Start menu?
Yes. Disable the Start Menu Styler mod or remove the custom configuration, then restart File Explorer if necessary.
Will this style modify original Windows files?
The style is intended to work through Windhawk and its configuration system. Follow the recommended setup method and avoid manually replacing or deleting Windows system files.
Can I use Aurora Canvas after updating Windows?
It may continue working after smaller updates. Major Windows updates can change the Start menu structure, so the mod or style configuration may need an update.
Can I combine it with another Start menu style?
Using one complete Start menu style at a time is recommended. Combining multiple configurations may cause conflicting backgrounds, spacing, colors or hover effects.
Why are the colors different on my screen?
Monitor calibration, HDR, Windows transparency, accent colors and wallpaper brightness can all affect how the gradient colors appear.
