Classic Shell (later Open Shell) Freeware
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corsair91
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 Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2022 8:00 pm Post subject: Classic Shell (later Open Shell) Freeware |
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Classic Shell (later Open Shell) Freeware
http://www.classicshell.net/
http://www.classicshell.net/faq/
http://www.classicshell.net/forum/
(see next post in this thread, regarding current Open Shell development
Older documentation may state Classic shell but it is now
actually Open Shell)
Freeware replacement Windows shell
an absolute Sanity Saver for Windows 8x back in the day
also works for other or later versions of windows
(including 7, 10 and most probably 11)
If you want to run Win10 only with an Win XP Style Shell interface,
Open Shell Freeware is how you can do that.
See below for alternate retail Product links.
You can switch back to the Microsoft Default Menu if you wish.
Classic Shellâ„¢ is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it. The main features are:
Highly customizable start menu with multiple styles and skins
Quick access to recent, frequently-used, or pinned programs
Find programs, settings, files and documents
Start button for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
Toolbar and status bar for Windows Explorer
Caption and status bar for Internet Explorer
System Requirements
Classic Shell works on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and their server counterparts (Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016). Both 32 and 64-bit versions are supported. The same installer works for all versions.
Note: Windows RT is not supported.
Compare Start Menus:Classic Shell vs Windows 10 and others
http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2399
Compares
Classic Shell’s Start Menu
Windows 7 Start Menu
Windows 8/8.1 Start Screen
StartIsBack/+/++
Stardock Start8/Start10
Windows 10 Start
Article predates Windows 11
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Start Menu Styles
Classic Style (Windows 9x/2000 or actual Classic XP)
Classic with two columns
(separate Programs & Apps Menus)
Windows XP Luna Style
Windows 7 Style (Nested Menus)
(Windows 8 had the Landscape Metro Tablet Menu Microsoft default
Windows 8.1 was similar but actually useable with a mouse & keyboard
Classic/Open Shell allowed you to boot Win 8x straight into a Windows XP
or 7 Style Desktop Start menu Shell and you could ignore the
other Microsoft Win 8x dumb frackery
Win 8.1 did break a lot of old Vista device drivers for old hardware
such as printers etc
Microsoft may have a 2 release version further support rule
on old drivers.
Certain Company computer Techs used to have a betting pool going
as to how quickly when new users saw the Microsoft Windows 8x
Metro tablet Start Menu they went - Argh! and/or OMG!
Techs used to wave the number of fingers for how many seconds.
Seldom needed the fingers of more than one hand
Corporates told Microsoft back in the day
a tablet interface is fine for a tablet, but never for a
Mouse & keyboard PC
Win8x needs to ship with a Win 7 Style Menu Interface.
Microsoft of course knew better, until it hit their revenue stream
as Corps continued to use their Win 7 OS Site licenses.
Windows 10 has the Microsoft Metro style Min-Start Menu only now in a column)
Confusing the Windows XP Luna Menu style may be
described as Classic XP
(this is not the actual Classic XP menu style - Win 9x or 2000)
By install default, Open Shell right click on the Start Menu button icon
opens the Open Shell Menu Settings
(configuration setting options and recommended you look through these)
Windows 8 & 10 both have a useful Microsoft default Start Menu - Right Click Menu option
to enable this in Open Shell set
Context Menu Tab - Enable right Click Menu Check box - OK Button
So when you right Click on the Start Menu Icon you now see this Menu.
To now access the Open shell configuration options
Start - programs - Open-shell Start Menu Folder - Open Shell Menu Settings
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Classic Shell / Open Shell Start and Windows 11
http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8580
Windows 11 Info
Windows 11 and the future of Open-Shell
https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/discussions/745
(see later postings)
Last edited by corsair91 on Sat Jul 01, 2023 12:14 am; edited 50 times in total |
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corsair91
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corsair91
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Posts: 8198
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corsair91
Sailing Master
Posts: 8198
206515 Gold -
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| Posted: Sun May 07, 2023 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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In Windows 11
Microsoft has apparently placed a Weather widgit
right where the Start Button Used to be
Need to open Open-shell's Menu settings first
On the Open-shell Start Menu Style Tab
select replace Start button & choose your preferred button design
before you customize the menu's appearance
You can them launch your new menu by clicking Open-shell's start button
or press the Windows Key to select the Windows 11 Start button.
To hide the Weather Widgit
right click on the Taskbar - choose Tasbar Settings -
switch off Widgits |
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