In our previous post, we discussed how Microsoft removed the ability to embed third-party taskbar bands in Windows 11, and how we shipped an experimental workaround in DU Meter 8. The experimental mode had significant limitations: it couldn’t be resized, didn’t accept mouse input, and wasn’t as stable as we hoped.

Since then, we’ve decided to take a different approach.

Refocusing on what we do best

After much consideration, we’ve decided to focus our development efforts on what DU Meter does best: accurate network traffic monitoring and accounting. Maintaining workarounds for Windows 11’s unofficial shell integration points requires constant attention: Microsoft frequently updates Windows 11 in ways that break these undocumented features.

Rather than spending our development resources playing catch-up with Windows updates, we’d rather invest that time in improving DU Meter’s monitoring capabilities, reporting features, and overall reliability.

The third-party solution: StartAllBack and ExplorerPatcher

The good news is that dedicated shell customization projects already exist and are actively maintained by teams focused specifically on this problem.

StartAllBack and ExplorerPatcher are two well-known utilities that restore the Windows 10 taskbar implementation to Windows 11. Both bring back full support for third-party taskbar bands and toolbars: not just for DU Meter, but for many other applications that relied on this functionality.

What makes these solutions particularly practical is that DU Meter’s native Windows 10 taskbar band support works immediately once either tool restores the proper taskbar infrastructure. You get the full original experience: resizable band, mouse input, stable positioning.

How to set it up

If you want to use DU Meter’s taskbar band on Windows 11:

1. Install StartAllBack (startallback.com, $4.99 one-time purchase with free trial) or ExplorerPatcher (free and open-source).

2. Configure the taskbar to use the Windows 10 style. This is typically the default setting after installation.

3. Unlock the taskbar: Right-click on the taskbar and uncheck “Lock the taskbar” (if it’s locked).

4. Enable DU Meter’s taskbar band: Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar, hover over “Toolbars”, and select “DU Meter” from the submenu.

5. Optional: Lock the taskbar again once you’re satisfied with the positioning.

That’s it. DU Meter will integrate into the taskbar exactly as it did on Windows 10, with full functionality restored.

Why these projects are better positioned for this task

Both StartAllBack and ExplorerPatcher are designed specifically for Windows 11 shell customization. Their teams monitor Windows Insider builds, issue frequent updates when Microsoft breaks compatibility, and serve communities of users who need these customizations for various applications—not just DU Meter.

This focus allows them to respond quickly when Windows updates break functionality, something we simply cannot match while also maintaining our core network monitoring features.

Important disclaimer

We neither support nor guarantee that these third-party solutions will work well for you. They are independent projects that modify Windows in undocumented ways. While many of our users report success with them, we cannot provide technical support if you encounter issues with these tools.

Use them at your own discretion. If you run into problems, please contact the respective projects’ support channels rather than DU Meter support.

What happened to the experimental mode?

We’ve removed the experimental Windows 11 taskbar band mode from recent DU Meter versions. Given that reliable third-party solutions exist and that maintaining shell integration diverts resources from our core mission, it made sense to step back and let specialized tools handle this aspect.

If you’ve been missing the taskbar band feature on Windows 11, we recommend exploring StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher. Many of our users find them valuable not just for DU Meter, but for restoring other Windows 10 functionality they miss.