I very much like True Launch Bar if it is still around. Can organize files/folders/apps very cleanly with minimal clicks to get there.
Stardock's '
Start 11' - I got in with Stardock over the start bar in early win8/win10 days, and really all the way back in XP. There's a nominal fee... I don't remember... maybe five bucks...
But it will give you a truer win10 start feel than you can get out of Win11, even with all the jiggery and ExperiencePatcher applied.
The problem I run into is that I either have to commit to Win11/Stardock or stay in Win10, because all my start bar hacks in win10 don't translate. If I set up a new machine for myself in win10, I can literally set up the desktop and start panels in a couple clicks, importing my exact style and all the positioning out of a backed up config. In Stardock, or by hand, it's hours.
It's a thing, because I use the crap out of the Start panels... I have derived my ultimate efficiency in that, and I am always adverse to change. I do not want to adapt to Win11.