How to Round App Corners in Windows 10

Understanding the Lack of Native Rounded Corners in Windows 10

Windows 10, despite its long tenure as Microsoft's flagship operating system, does not include a built-in setting to apply rounded corners to application windows. This feature was introduced officially only with Windows 11, where rounded corners are a core part of the visual design language. For users who prefer the softer, modern aesthetic of rounded edges, this absence can feel like a missed opportunity. However, there are several workarounds and third-party tools that allow you to achieve rounded corners on Windows 10, whether for Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps or traditional Win32 applications. This article will guide you through the available methods, including developer-level API usage, third-party software, and customization tools that can transform the look of your desktop.

Why Windows 10 Does Not Have Built-in Rounded Corners

The design philosophy behind Windows 10 emphasized sharp, clean edges that align with its "Fluent Design" system. Rounded corners were reserved for certain UI elements like menus, notifications, and the Start menu, but not for application windows themselves. Microsoft's official documentation states that applying rounded corners to desktop apps is a new feature of Windows 11, and while Windows 10 supports the underlying API, it is not enabled by default for all windows. This means that even if you attempt to use the same programming interface that Windows 11 uses, you may encounter inconsistent results depending on the app and system configuration.

Using the DwmSetWindowAttribute API on Windows 10

For developers or advanced users willing to modify application code, the Windows API provides a way to request rounded corners. The function DwmSetWindowAttribute with the attribute DWM_WINDOW_CORNER_PREFERENCE can be called to set the corner preference for a specific window. This allows an app to display rounded corners if the system supports it. However, on Windows 10, this capability is not universally supported, and the results depend on the version of the operating system, the graphics driver, and the specific application. In practice, many Win32 applications ignore this call, and even when it works, the rounding may be subtle or inconsistent. A detailed guide on how to implement this can be found in the official Microsoft documentation on applying rounded corners. This approach is best suited for developers who maintain their own software and want to add a modern touch.

Third-Party Software to Round App Corners

Several third-party applications have been developed specifically to bring rounded corners to Windows 10. These tools modify the way windows are rendered by intercepting system calls or applying overlays. Below is a list of popular options:

How to Round App Corners in Windows 10 - 1

Curtains – A lightweight tool that lets you customize the radius of corners for individual windows or globally. It works with most UWP and Win32 applications and offers real-time previews.
WindowBlinds – Part of the Stardock suite, this comprehensive skinning tool can change the entire look of Windows, including window borders, title bars, and corner shapes. It requires a purchase but offers deep customization.
AquaSnap – Primarily a window management utility, AquaSnap includes an option to round window corners as a visual enhancement. It is especially useful for users who already want snap and resize features.
Winaero Tweaker – A free system tweaker that provides many Windows customization options, including the ability to enable rounded corners for some UI elements. It does not guarantee full app coverage but works for many common applications.

Each of these tools has its own strengths and limitations. Curtains, for example, is highly praised for its simplicity and effectiveness, while WindowBlinds allows for complete theme overhauls. AquaSnap is ideal for users seeking both window management and visual improvements. Winaero Tweaker is a good starting point because it is free and offers many other tweaks alongside corner rounding.

Evaluating Third-Party Tools: A Comparison Table

To help you decide which third-party solution best fits your needs, here is a table comparing key features:

Tool	Cost	Ease of Use	Compatibility with Windows 10	Additional Features
Curtains	Free (donationware)	Very easy	High (UWP and Win32)	Per-window control, adjustable radius
WindowBlinds	Paid (around $10)	Moderate	High (skins entire system)	Full theme customization, visual styles
AquaSnap	Free with paid pro version	Easy	High (focuses on window management)	Window snapping, docking, transparency
Winaero Tweaker	Free	Easy	Moderate (some UI elements only)	Many Windows tweaks, privacy settings

As the table shows, Curtains and Winaero Tweaker are excellent free options, while WindowBlinds offers the most comprehensive visual overhaul for those willing to pay. AquaSnap adds functional benefits beyond aesthetics. You can read more about these tools in a detailed overview at Tecnobits guide on obtaining rounded corners in Windows 10.

Using WinUI for Developers

If you are a developer building new applications for Windows 10, you can leverage Microsoft's WinUI library to incorporate rounded corners directly into your software. WinUI provides controls such as CornerRadius properties that can be applied to buttons, panels, and other UI elements. Additionally, the TabView control in WinUI features rounded tabs, giving your app a modern look. However, WinUI is primarily designed for UWP apps and may not be fully compatible with older Win32 frameworks. For Windows 10, you must use WinUI 2.x, while WinUI 3 is focused on Windows 11. Despite these limitations, many developers have successfully used WinUI to create apps with rounded corners that run on Windows 10. More technical details can be found in the WinUI documentation and in articles like Tecnoblog's coverage of Microsoft's suggestions for rounded tabs and corners.

How to Round App Corners in Windows 10 - 2

RoundedTB: A Special Case for the Taskbar

One common desire among Windows 10 users is to round the corners of the taskbar itself. While this is not the same as rounding app windows, the tool RoundedTB (available for free on the Microsoft Store) specifically addresses this. RoundedTB allows you to set a corner radius for the taskbar, and it can also make the taskbar appear centered or floating. It is lightweight and works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, note that RoundedTB does not affect application windows; it only modifies the taskbar appearance. If your goal is to have a cohesive rounded look across the entire desktop, you will need to combine RoundedTB with one of the third-party tools mentioned above.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using Curtains to Round App Corners

To give you a practical example, here is a simple walkthrough for using Curtains, one of the most user-friendly tools:

1. Download Curtains from its official website or a trusted repository. The software is often distributed as a portable executable, so no installation is required.

2. Run the executable. You will see a small icon in the system tray. Right-click it to access the settings.

How to Round App Corners in Windows 10 - 3

3. In the settings window, you can choose between "Global" mode, which applies rounded corners to all windows, or "Per-window" mode, where you can specify which applications to affect.

4. Adjust the corner radius slider to your preference. A value between 5 and 10 pixels is typical, but you can go as high as 20 for a more dramatic effect.

5. Optionally, you can exclude certain windows (like full-screen applications or games) from the rounding effect to avoid compatibility issues.

6. Apply the changes. The rounded corners should appear immediately on most windows. Some legacy applications may require a restart.

How to Round App Corners in Windows 10 - 4

This process is similar for other tools like Winaero Tweaker, where you find the "Rounded Corners" option under the "Appearance" settings. Always ensure you have the latest version of the tool to maximize compatibility.

Considerations and Caveats

While third-party tools can successfully add rounded corners to Windows 10, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, some applications with custom title bars or non-standard rendering engines may not respond to the rounding effect. For example, games often override window styling, and corner rounding may cause graphical glitches. Second, performance can be impacted if you use a tool that applies heavy overlays or skinning; however, most tools like Curtains are designed to be lightweight. Third, security: always download software from official sources or well-known repositories to avoid malware. Finally, note that these modifications are not officially supported by Microsoft, so if you encounter issues, you may need to disable the tool or uninstall it.

Another important point is that the API-based approach (DwmSetWindowAttribute) works only on certain builds of Windows 10 and requires the application to cooperate. If you are not a developer, a third-party tool is the most reliable way to achieve the look you want. For those who prefer a non-software solution, some users have resorted to customizing their desktop with wallpaper and themes that give the illusion of rounded corners, but that does not change the actual window borders.

Future of Rounded Corners on Windows

With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has made rounded corners a standard part of the interface. Many users who upgrade to Windows 11 will automatically see rounded corners on all native windows, including File Explorer, Settings, and most UWP apps. However, Windows 10 remains in widespread use, and for those who cannot or do not wish to upgrade, the methods described in this article provide a viable path to a similar aesthetic. It is possible that future updates to Windows 10 will include more official support, but as of now, no such plans have been announced.