Liquid Glass Explorer Style For Windows 11

Liquid Glass Explorer Style For Windows 11 Using Windhawk

Liquid Glass Explorer Style For Windows 11 gives File Explorer a cleaner glass-inspired interface using the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod in Windhawk. The configuration focuses mainly on the upper Explorer interface, including tabs, the command area, navigation controls, search, and toolbar buttons.

Instead of covering File Explorer with heavy effects, the style uses transparent surfaces, soft blur, rounded corners, and thin borders around selected interface elements. This keeps the layout familiar while giving the top section of Explorer a lighter and more polished appearance.

Liquid Glass Explorer Design

The command and navigation areas use transparent backgrounds so the glass styling can remain visible without adding another solid layer. Tabs receive rounded corners and a lightly blurred background, while the search field and toolbar controls use matching rounded glass surfaces.

The layout also removes a few visual separators and adjusts spacing around navigation buttons. These changes make the upper Explorer area feel less crowded while keeping the usual Windows controls in place.

Key Features

Transparent primary and secondary File Explorer command bars
Rounded File Explorer tabs with soft blur
Subtle borders around selected tab and toolbar elements
Glass-style search box with rounded corners
Rounded backgrounds for command bar buttons
Cleaner spacing for Back, Forward, Up, and Refresh controls
Hidden tab border lines and selected separators for a simpler layout
Transparent command and navigation bar backgrounds
Designed for the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod in Windhawk

Requirements

Windows 11
Windhawk
Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod

Windows transparency effects can be enabled from Settings > Personalization > Colors if you prefer more transparency across the Windows interface, but this is separate from the Explorer Styler configuration itself.

Download Windhawk

Windhawk

Compatibility

Windows 11 21H2: Not tested
Windows 11 22H2: Not tested
Windows 11 23H2: Not tested
Windows 11 24H2: Not tested
Windows 11 25H2: Yes

File Explorer elements can change after Windows updates. If part of the style stops applying correctly, check that Windhawk and the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod are up to date.

How to Install Liquid Glass Explorer Style

Download and install Windhawk.
Open Windhawk and install the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod.
Open the mod settings and go to the Advanced tab.
Copy the complete JSON configuration provided below.
Paste it into the text box under Mod settings.
Click Save to apply the style.

Important: The configuration below is in JSON format. Use the Advanced section for this code. It is not a YAML/Textual mode configuration.

Liquid Glass Explorer JSON Configuration

{
  "explorerFrameContainerHeight": 0,
  "controlStyles[0].target": "CommandBar#FileExplorerCommandBar ",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[0]": "Background=Transparent",
  "controlStyles[0].styles[1]": "HorizontalAlignment = 1",
  "controlStyles[1].target": "CommandBar#FileExplorerSecondaryCommandBar",
  "controlStyles[1].styles[0]": "Background=Transparent",
  "controlStyles[1].styles[1]": "MinHeight=60",
  "controlStyles[2].target": "Grid#TabContainerGrid > Border#LeftBottomBorderLine",
  "controlStyles[2].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[3].target": "Grid#TabContainerGrid > Border#RightBottomBorderLine",
  "controlStyles[3].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[4].target": "TabViewItem",
  "controlStyles[4].styles[0]": "Margin=0,0,8,0",
  "controlStyles[5].target": "TabViewItem > Grid#LayoutRoot",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[0]": "CornerRadius=12",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[1]": "Margin=2,4,0,4",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[2]": "Height=27",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[3]": "BorderThickness=1",
  "controlStyles[5].styles[4]": "BorderBrush:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0,0\" EndPoint=\"1,1\"><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"0.0\" /><GradientStop Color=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" Offset=\"0.55\" /><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"1\" /></LinearGradientBrush>",
  "controlStyles[6].target": "TabViewItem > Grid#LayoutRoot > Canvas",
  "controlStyles[6].styles[0]": "Visibility=Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[7].target": "TabViewItem > Grid#LayoutRoot > Grid#TabContainer",
  "controlStyles[7].styles[0]": "Background = Transparent ",
  "controlStyles[7].styles[1]": "BorderThickness = 0",
  "controlStyles[8].target": "TabViewItem > Grid#LayoutRoot@CommonStates",
  "controlStyles[8].styles[0]": "Background@Selected:=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"15\" TintColor=\"#25ffffff\" />",
  "controlStyles[8].styles[1]": "Background@PointerOverSelected:=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"15\" TintColor=\"#35ffffff\" />",
  "controlStyles[8].styles[2]": "Background@Normal:=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"15\" TintColor=\"#15ffffff\" />",
  "controlStyles[9].target": "Grid#TabContainerGrid > Border > Button#AddButton",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[0]": "Visibility = 0",
  "controlStyles[9].styles[1]": "Margin = 0,0,0,3",
  "controlStyles[10].target": "Grid#CommandBarControlRootGrid",
  "controlStyles[10].styles[0]": "Background=Transparent ",
  "controlStyles[11].target": "Grid#NavigationBarControlGrid",
  "controlStyles[11].styles[0]": "Background=Transparent ",
  "controlStyles[12].target": "Grid#PART_LayoutRoot",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[0]": "Background :=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"15\" TintColor=\"#25ffffff\" />",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[1]": "CornerRadius = 14",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[2]": "BorderThickness = 1",
  "controlStyles[12].styles[3]": "BorderBrush:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0,0\" EndPoint=\"1,1\"><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"0.0\" /><GradientStop Color=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" Offset=\"0.55\" /><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"1\" /></LinearGradientBrush>",
  "controlStyles[13].target": "FileExplorerExtensions.CommandBarControl",
  "controlStyles[13].styles[0]": "Margin = 0,0,0,0",
  "controlStyles[14].target": "AutoSuggestBox#FileExplorerSearchBox > Grid#LayoutRoot > TextBox > Grid@CommonStates > Border#BorderElement",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[0]": "Background :=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"15\" TintColor=\"#25ffffff\" />",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[1]": "CornerRadius = 14",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[2]": "BorderThickness = 1",
  "controlStyles[14].styles[3]": "BorderBrush:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0,0\" EndPoint=\"1,1\"><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"0.0\" /><GradientStop Color=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" Offset=\"0.55\" /><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"1\" /></LinearGradientBrush>",
  "controlStyles[15].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AppBarButton",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[0]": "Background :=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"15\" TintColor=\"#25ffffff\" />",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[1]": "CornerRadius = 12",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[2]": "BorderThickness = 1",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[3]": "Margin = 3,0,3,1",
  "controlStyles[15].styles[4]": "BorderBrush:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0,0\" EndPoint=\"1,1\"><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"0.0\" /><GradientStop Color=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" Offset=\"0.55\" /><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"1\" /></LinearGradientBrush>",
  "controlStyles[16].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AppBarToggleButton",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[0]": "Background :=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"15\" TintColor=\"#25ffffff\" />",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[1]": "CornerRadius = 12",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[2]": "BorderThickness = 1",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[3]": "Margin = 3,0,3,1",
  "controlStyles[16].styles[4]": "BorderBrush:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0,0\" EndPoint=\"1,1\"><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"0.0\" /><GradientStop Color=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" Offset=\"0.55\" /><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"1\" /></LinearGradientBrush>",
  "controlStyles[17].target": "Button#MoreButton",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[0]": "Background :=<WindhawkBlur BlurAmount=\"15\" TintColor=\"#25ffffff\" />",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[1]": "CornerRadius = 12",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[2]": "BorderThickness = 1",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[3]": "Margin = 3,0,3,1",
  "controlStyles[17].styles[4]": "BorderBrush:=<LinearGradientBrush StartPoint=\"0,0\" EndPoint=\"1,1\"><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"0.0\" /><GradientStop Color=\"{ThemeResource SurfaceStrokeColorDefault}\" Offset=\"0.55\" /><GradientStop Color=\"#80ffffff\" Offset=\"1\" /></LinearGradientBrush>",
  "controlStyles[18].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AppBarSeparator",
  "controlStyles[18].styles[0]": "Visibility = Collapsed",
  "controlStyles[19].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AppBarButton#backButton",
  "controlStyles[19].styles[0]": "Margin = 0,9,9,0",
  "controlStyles[20].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AppBarButton#forwardButton",
  "controlStyles[20].styles[0]": "Margin = 0,9,9,0",
  "controlStyles[21].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AppBarButton#upButton",
  "controlStyles[21].styles[0]": "Margin = 0,9,9,0",
  "controlStyles[22].target": "Microsoft.UI.Xaml.Controls.AppBarButton#refreshButton",
  "controlStyles[22].styles[0]": "Margin = 0,9,9,0",
  "theme": "Translucent Explorer11"
}

Optional Window Transparency

If you already use another Windhawk mod for window-frame transparency or backdrop effects, you can combine it with this Explorer style. This is optional and is not required for the File Explorer Styler configuration above.

Matching Start Menu & Taskbar Styles

You can also use the matching Liquid Glass 2.0 Start Menu and Taskbar styles if you want a similar design across more parts of Windows 11.

How to Remove Liquid Glass Explorer Style

Open Windhawk.
Find the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod.
Disable the mod to stop applying the custom Explorer style.
If you want to keep the mod installed, restore your previous configuration or apply another Explorer style.
Uninstall the mod only if you no longer plan to use it.

Disclaimer

⚠️ Disclaimer: This Windhawk File Explorer Style is provided for Windows UI personalization purposes. It is an unofficial customization and is not developed, endorsed, or supported by Microsoft. Compatibility can vary depending on your Windows version, Windhawk version, File Explorer Styler version, and system configuration. Windows updates may also affect how the style works. Creating a System Restore Point or keeping a backup of your current configuration before making major changes is recommended. Windows and related trademarks belong to Microsoft.

Final Word

Liquid Glass Explorer Style changes the upper File Explorer interface without replacing Explorer itself. Transparent command areas, rounded tabs, glass-style buttons, and a matching search field give the interface a more consistent look while keeping the familiar Windows layout.

The style is best suited to users who want a cleaner Explorer toolbar and tab area without adding unnecessary visual clutter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Liquid Glass Explorer Style change?

It changes selected File Explorer interface elements such as tabs, command bars, navigation controls, the search box, and toolbar buttons through the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod.

Is this configuration JSON or YAML?

It is JSON. Apply it through the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler Advanced settings rather than Textual mode.

Does this make the entire File Explorer window transparent?

No. The configuration mainly styles the upper File Explorer interface. Full-window transparency would require a separate customization and is not required for this style.

Do I need another transparency mod?

No. Another window-transparency mod is optional. The File Explorer Styler configuration can be used on its own.

Can I return to the default File Explorer appearance?

Yes. Disable the Windows 11 File Explorer Styler mod, or restore your previous configuration if you want to keep the mod installed.

Can Windows updates affect the style?

Yes. Windows updates can change File Explorer interface elements, so the mod or configuration may occasionally need an update.