Create Custom Live Tiles in Windows: Full Guide

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes, you can create custom live tiles in Windows by using third-party apps or manually editing tile shortcuts. This guide explains the practical methods for Windows 10 and 11, what each can and cannot do, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

What Are Live Tiles and Why Customize Them?

Live tiles are the dynamic square and rectangular tiles on the Windows Start menu that can show real-time information like weather, news, or calendar appointments without opening the app. In Windows 10, live tiles were a central feature; in Windows 11, they were replaced by static icons, though you can still create custom tiles that open apps or websites — they just won’t update with live content unless you use third-party tools.

Customizing tiles lets you pin any app, folder, or website with a unique icon and color scheme, making your Start menu more organized and visually appealing. You can also create tiles that launch specific actions, like opening a particular document or running a command.

How to Create a Basic Custom Tile (Windows 10 & 11)

The simplest method uses a shortcut and a custom icon. This works on both Windows 10 and 11, though Windows 11’s Start menu shows tiles as static icons.

Create a shortcut: Right-click on the desktop, select New > Shortcut. In the location field, enter the path to the app, folder, or a URL (e.g., https://example.com). Click Next, name it, and click Finish.
Change the icon: Right-click the new shortcut, select Properties, go to the Shortcut tab, and click Change Icon. Browse to an .ico file or choose from the system icons. Click OK.
Pin to Start: Right-click the shortcut and select Pin to Start. The tile appears in the Start menu. You can resize it (small, medium, wide, large) by right-clicking the tile and selecting Resize.
Customize the tile color (Windows 10 only): In Windows 10, you can right-click the tile, select More > Turn live tile off or Customize to change the tile’s background color and image.

This method creates a static tile — it won’t display live content unless the underlying app supports live updates (like the Weather app). For true live tiles, you need a third-party tool.

Using Third-Party Apps for Real Live Tiles

Several free and paid apps allow you to create tiles with live, updatable content. These apps generate a tile that runs a background script or web request to fetch data and display it. Popular options include:

Tile Genie (Windows 10): Lets you create custom tiles for any app or website, with options for background images, colors, and live text from RSS feeds or weather.
Custom Tiles (Windows 10): Similar to Tile Genie, allows custom images and text, but live updates are limited.
Pin More (Windows 10): Focuses on creating tiles that launch commands or scripts, with some live text support.
Live Tiles Anywhere (Windows 10): Allows pinning any folder or drive with a custom icon and optional live folder size.

These apps typically work by creating a special shortcut that the Start menu interprets as a live tile. The app runs in the background and updates the tile’s text or image at set intervals. Note that most of these tools were designed for Windows 10 and may not work fully in Windows 11, which removed the live tile engine.

How to Choose the Right Tool

When selecting a third-party app, consider:

Windows version: Confirm the app supports your OS. Windows 11 has limited live tile support, so many tools are Windows 10-only.
Live content source: Do you need weather, RSS, or custom text? Some apps only support static images.
Update frequency: Check if you can set the refresh interval (e.g., every 30 minutes).
Resource usage: Some apps run continuously in the background, using CPU and memory.
Cost: Many are free, but some offer paid versions with more features.

Read reviews and check the app’s last update date. If the app hasn’t been updated in years, it may break with newer Windows updates.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are typical issues you might encounter and how to solve them:

Tile doesn’t update: Ensure the app is running in the background. Check the app’s settings for update frequency. If using a URL, verify the URL returns data in a format the app expects.
Tile shows default icon: The .ico file might be corrupt or not a valid icon. Re-download or create a proper .ico file (e.g., using an online converter).
Tile doesn’t appear in Start menu: Try restarting Windows Explorer (right-click taskbar > Task Manager > Windows Explorer > Restart). If that fails, re-pin the shortcut.
Custom tile opens the wrong app: Double-check the shortcut’s target path. If it’s a URL, make sure the default browser is set correctly.
Live tile works in Windows 10 but not in Windows 11: Windows 11 removed the live tile infrastructure. You’ll need to use a static tile or a third-party app that emulates live tiles via a desktop widget.

Comparing Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows 10 fully supports live tiles, allowing dynamic content and custom backgrounds. Windows 11 replaced live tiles with a simpler grid of static icons. In Windows 11, you can still pin shortcuts and change their icons, but they won’t show live data unless you use a third-party app that overlays a widget on the desktop. Some third-party tools like Start11 (paid) restore live tile functionality in Windows 11, but they are not free and require a license.

If you’re on Windows 11 and miss live tiles, consider using desktop widgets (like the built-in Weather widget) or pinning a website to the Start menu that updates its content.

Safety and Performance Considerations

When using third-party live tile apps, keep these points in mind:

Download from official sources: Only download from the Microsoft Store or the developer’s official website to avoid malware.
Check permissions: Some apps request access to your location or network. Only grant what’s necessary.
Resource usage: Live tiles that update frequently can drain battery and slow down your PC. Set a reasonable update interval (e.g., 30 minutes or 1 hour).
Uninstalling: If you remove the app, the tiles it created may become non-functional. Unpin them and delete the shortcuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a live tile for a website?

Yes, you can pin a website as a tile by creating a shortcut with the URL and then pinning it. However, the tile will be static. To get live content from a website, you need a third-party app that can fetch and display data (like RSS feeds) on the tile.

Do live tiles work in Windows 11?

No, Windows 11 does not have the live tile engine. You can create static tiles with custom icons, but they won’t update with dynamic content. Third-party apps like Start11 can bring back live tiles, but they are not free.

How do I make a tile with a custom image?

You can use a third-party app like Tile Genie or Custom Tiles to set a custom background image. Alternatively, you can create a shortcut and change its icon to a custom .ico file, but the tile background will be a solid color (in Windows 10, you can set a custom background image via the tile’s right-click menu).

Why is my live tile not updating?

Check that the app is running in the background and that the update interval is set correctly. Also, ensure the data source (like an RSS feed) is accessible. Some apps stop updating if the PC is in battery saver mode.

Can I create a live tile that shows the weather?

Yes, many third-party apps offer weather as a built-in data source. You can also use the built-in Weather app in Windows 10, which has a live tile. In Windows 11, you can use the Widgets panel or a third-party app.

Are there any free live tile apps?

Yes, Tile Genie and Custom Tiles are free. Some apps offer a free version with limited features and a paid version with more options. Always check the app’s description for what’s included.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.