POLL: Classic Shell for Windows 10 ... whos using it?

storm-chaser · Nov 21, 2018

Classic Shell™ 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

CrAsHnBuRnXp · Nov 21, 2018

I like the Win 10 start menu too much

rtwjunkie · Nov 21, 2018

Why is this a poll for only Classic Shell? Wouldn’t you really like to know who is using what?

I use Start10. It’s cheap, and has continuous updates from Stardock to cope with ever changing W10.

It is customizable menu and incorporates better search parameters than default. Also widely used.

storm-chaser · Nov 21, 2018

Updated to include an option for another application. Thanks rtwjunkie.

Bill_Bright · Nov 21, 2018

rtwjunkie said:
Why is this a poll for only Classic Shell? Wouldn’t you really like to know who is using what?

Agreed. And I also use Start 10. In fact, to avoid potential compatibility issues, nobody should be using Classic Shell anymore anyway. Sadly, the developer of Classic Shell decided to cease development almost a year ago because of the time challenges to keep it compatible with Windows 10 changes (of which there have been two major updates since). See: Classic Shell no longer in development

sixor · Nov 21, 2018

open shell it is called now

but i never had any issue with the old classic shell

Deleted member 158293 · Nov 21, 2018

If I have to use windows I use it.

Bill_Bright · Nov 21, 2018

sixor said:
open shell it is called now

Thanks for that.

sixor said:
but i never had any issue with the old classic shell

I never did either. But I tried both Classic Shell and Start 10 extensively and I have consistently felt Start 10 (beginning with Start 8) always felt more polished and professional - as I would expect from a paid (even if only $5) product. CS works well, but it just seemed to me that it was trying to do too much and as such (to paraphrase a common expression) it was "A jack of all trades but a master of none." Whereas I felt Start10 did fewer things, only better.

Kursah · Nov 21, 2018

I like the Win 10 start menu, it works perfectly fine for my needs and I hate losing the management menu (Win+X works regardless, but as I like to do, right click on the start button) to the Classic Shell properties menu.

I do still install Classic Shell for family members, friends and clients that are hamstrung by anything that isn't Windows 7's start menu. But I warn them that at some point they may have to get used to the Win 10 start menu, and really if you click Start and type a few letters for what you're looking for, odds are it'll be found. It isn't bullet proof by any means.

Open Shell does pick up where Classic Shell left off, but Classic Shell is on ninite, so if I'm prepping a system with ninite, CS gets installed and has had 0 issues yet. Works exactly as it needs to for everyone I deploy it for.

newtekie1 · Nov 21, 2018

I picked yes, but I actually use the now open source version OpenShell. Though it seems Openshell hasn't really received much development either. Mainly all that has been done is work to replace the words ClassicShell with OpenShell everywhere. Even the built in updater still references the ClassicShell website, and the url for support still takes you to the ClassicShell website.

Really, I would have been much happier if the original developer had kept going with just the Start menu portion of the program. The rest I can take it or leave it, it doesn't really matter to me.

bonehead123 · Nov 21, 2018

I have been using it for a long time now, neveranottaproblemo on many, many builds

SomeOne99h · Nov 21, 2018

The new OpenShell: https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases (last version till my post date is 29 sep)
Backup link: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/classic_start.html (It does say classic in the link but the page will explain it to you. It is actually OpenShell)

eidairaman1 · Nov 21, 2018

storm-chaser said:
Classic Shell™ 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

As long as it doesnt have its own TSR

storm-chaser · Nov 21, 2018

Bill_Bright said:
Agreed. And I also use Start 10. In fact, to avoid potential compatibility issues, nobody should be using Classic Shell anymore anyway. Sadly, the developer of Classic Shell decided to cease development almost a year ago because of the time challenges to keep it compatible with Windows 10 changes (of which there have been two major updates since). See: Classic Shell no longer in development

Classic shell still works fine even with the latest MS updates... Just fyi

eidairaman1 said:
As long as it doesnt have its own TSR

What do you mean by TSR?

Another question. Who else restores the quick launch toolbar? I certainly do on all my rigs.

eidairaman1 · Nov 21, 2018

storm-chaser said:
Classic shell still works fine even with the latest MS updates... Just fyi

What do you mean by TSR?

Terminate and stay resident, (running background service)

Bill_Bright · Nov 21, 2018

storm-chaser said:
Another question. Who else restores the quick launch toolbar? I certainly do on all my rigs.

Always.

storm-chaser said:
Classic shell still works fine even with the latest MS updates... Just fyi

I know. But with development in question, its future is too.

If the idea is to bring back the familiar W7 start menu and desktop, I say go with Start 10. It is still in regular development, it is very affordable (one time $5) and most importantly, it works.

newtekie1 · Nov 21, 2018

Bill_Bright said:
If the idea is to bring back the familiar W7 start menu and desktop, I say go with Start 10. It is still in regular development, it is very affordable (one time $5) and most importantly, it works.

If that is the most important thing, then I see no reason to not go with the free OpenShell/ClassicShell. I have 8 computers, at $5 a pop for Start 10, that's $40 for something that OpenShell offers for free.

As long as Openshell continues to work, there is no good reason to spend money on Start 10. Maybe down the road, if OpenShell stops functioning, Start 10 will make sense, but not now.

AlienIsGOD · Nov 21, 2018

I voted no, since win 98 and my 1st experience with Windows outside of a school room I have just used whatever is in the lower right corner. I never used win 8 but I've not had issues with 10 and as others have said it's pretty handy on its own

GoldenX · Nov 21, 2018

I barely use the start menu, so I don't have a need to modify/replace it.

FreedomEclipse · Nov 21, 2018

Yes.

I found that classic shell helped me transition into Windows 10 from win 7 a lot easier. Its more a 'set&forget' piece of software that doesnt really need touching once the initial configuration is done.

lexluthermiester · Nov 21, 2018

storm-chaser said:
Classic Shell™ is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it.

There is a direct replacement for Classic Shell, which is a canceled project. Open Shell takes the Classic Shell source(which was released by the author) and continues development;
https://open-shell.github.io/Open-Shell-Menu
https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases
A release for the 1809 update is incoming.

Bill_Bright · Nov 21, 2018

newtekie1 said:
If that is the most important thing, then I see no reason to not go with the free OpenShell/ClassicShell.

I cannot speak to OpenShell because I have never used it. But ClassicShell development was stopped because the developer did not have the time to maintain compatibility with all the changes Microsoft makes to W10. That alone, IMO, is reason to consider not using CS.

But to me, another reason is CS has many other features that most users never need. More moving parts means more possible points of failure. Now of course, if you use those extra features, and compatibility is not (at least for now) an issue, then great.

The idea (to me anyway) is not which is the better alternative. The idea is options to avoid W10s UI. I note there are other alternatives to consider as well.

StartIsBack is also good.

FTR, I have 6 computers here but have Start 10 on just 3. The other 3 computers are not used that often to put any alternative start menu on them.

lexluthermiester · Nov 21, 2018

newtekie1 said:
As long as Openshell continues to work, there is no good reason to spend money on Start 10.

Not to mention that it's open source, Start10 is not. I would have no problems if Open Shell opened a patreon or Paypal for donations.

Bill_Bright said:
I cannot speak to OpenShell because I have never used it.

Give it a try. You might like it.
https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases/download/v4.4.131/OpenShellSetup_4_4_131.exe

rtwjunkie · Nov 21, 2018

lexluthermiester said:
Not to mention that it's open source, Start10 is not. I would have no problems if Open Shell opened a patreon or Paypal for donations

Why is open source important? Just curious, because it isn’t to me.

I have no problem paying a paltry sum of money for a professional piece of software actively supported by a professional company. Stardock is obviously working WITH Microsoft to get it right, because the new version is ready for download before each seasonal update is released.

Valent117 · Nov 21, 2018

i used it on windows 8 and 8.1
but now on w10 i use the new start menu and i pin everything on it

System Name	Dual Socket HP z820 Workstation
Processor	Twin Intel Xeon E5 2673 v2 OEM processors (thats a total of 16C/32T)
Motherboard	HP Dual Socket Motherboard
Cooling	Stock HP liquid cooling
Memory	64GB Registered ECC memory kit (octal channel memory on this rig)
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Storage	2 x 512GB SSD in raid 0
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Keyboard	Dell
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Processor	Intel i9 9900K @5GHz w/ Corsair H150i Pro CPU AiO w/Corsair HD120 RBG fan
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Memory	Corsair Vengeance RBG 2x8GB 3600MHz
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Mouse	Logitech G604s
Keyboard	Corsair K70 Rapidfire
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Processor	Core i9-9900k
Motherboard	ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming 6
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System Name	Dual Socket HP z820 Workstation
Processor	Twin Intel Xeon E5 2673 v2 OEM processors (thats a total of 16C/32T)
Motherboard	HP Dual Socket Motherboard
Cooling	Stock HP liquid cooling
Memory	64GB Registered ECC memory kit (octal channel memory on this rig)
Video Card(s)	MSI RX 5700 XT Gaming X 8GB
Storage	2 x 512GB SSD in raid 0
Display(s)	Acer 23" 75Hz Gaming monitors 1080P x2
Case	Brushed Aluminium
Audio Device(s)	Integrated (5.1)
Power Supply	HP 1125W Stock PSU
Mouse	gaming mouse
Keyboard	Dell
Software	Windows 10 Pro

System Name	Brightworks Systems BWS-6 E-IV
Processor	Intel Core i5-6600 @ 3.9GHz
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Memory	32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4 3000 Corsair Vengeance
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Case	Fractal Design Define R4
Power Supply	EVGA Supernova 550W G2 Gold
Mouse	Logitech M190
Keyboard	Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5050
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Processor	Amd 7800x3d
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Memory	32gb lexar 6000 cl32
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Mouse	microsoft PROINTELLIMOUSE
Keyboard	microsoft wireless
Software	win11 PRO x64

System Name	Kursah's Gaming Rig 2018 (2022 Upgrade) - Ryzen+ Edition \| Gaming Laptop (Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 2022)
Processor	R7 5800X @ Stock \| i7 12700H @ Stock
Motherboard	Asus ROG Strix X370-F Gaming BIOS 6203\| Legion 5i Pro NM-E231
Cooling	Noctua NH-U14S Push-Pull + NT-H1 \| Stock Cooling
Memory	TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 32GB (2x16) DDR4 4000 @ 3600 18-20-20-42 1.35v \| 32GB DDR5 4800 (2x16)
Video Card(s)	Palit GeForce RTX 4070 JetStream 12GB \| CPU-based Intel Iris XE + RTX 3070 8GB 150W
Storage	4TB SP UD90 NVME, 960GB SATA SSD, 2TB HDD \| 1TB Samsung OEM NVME SSD + 4TB Crucial P3 Plus NVME SSD
Display(s)	Acer 28" 4K VG280K x2 \| 16" 2560x1600 built-in
Case	Corsair 600C - Stock Fans on Low \| Stock Metal/Plastic
Audio Device(s)	Aune T1 mk1 > AKG K553 Pro + JVC HA-RX 700 (Equalizer APO + PeaceUI) \| Bluetooth Earbuds (BX29)
Power Supply	EVGA 750G2 Modular + APC Back-UPS Pro 1500 \| 300W OEM (heavy use) or Lenovo Legion C135W GAN (light)
Mouse	Logitech G502 \| Logitech M330
Keyboard	HyperX Alloy Core RGB \| Built in Keyboard (Lenovo laptop KB FTW)
Software	Windows 11 Pro x64 \| Windows 11 Home x64

Processor	Intel Core i7 10850K@5.2GHz
Motherboard	AsRock Z470 Taichi
Cooling	Corsair H115i Pro w/ Noctua NF-A14 Fans
Memory	32GB DDR4-3600
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Case	Fractal Design Define S
Audio Device(s)	Onboard is good enough for me
Power Supply	eVGA SuperNOVA 1000w G3
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64

System Name	The Little One
Processor	i5-11320H @4.4GHZ
Motherboard	AZW SEI
Cooling	Fan w/heat pipes + side & rear vents
Memory	64GB Crucial DDR4-3200 (2x 32GB)
Video Card(s)	Iris XE
Storage	WD Black SN850X 4TB m.2, Seagate 2TB SSD + SN850 4TB x2 in an external enclosure
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Mouse	Logitech MX Master 2
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Benchmark Scores	PDQ

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Processor	Intel Core i5 9400f 2.9GHz/4.0 Turbo (NoOC)
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z370M D3H rev. 1.0
Cooling	be quite! Dark Rock Slim 180W TDP (The Silent Wings 3 120mm Fan)
Memory	Corsair Red Line 8x2 16GB 3000MHz (NoOC) DDR4-3000 15-17-17-35 (CMK16GX4M2B3000C15R) V1.35 ver 4.24
Video Card(s)	NVIDIA GeForce MSI 980 Ti Golden Edition (NoOC)\| Spare: GTX 650 Ti 1 GB
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Processor	AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
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Cooling	Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
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Power Supply	Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse	Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard	Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software	Windows 7 Pro 64

System Name	Aliens Ryzen Rig \| 2nd Hand Omen
Processor	Ryzen R5 5600 \| Ryzen R5 3600
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite (F61 BIOS) \| B450 matx
Cooling	DeepCool Castle EX V2 240mm AIO\| stock for now
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Case	NZXT H500 Black \| HP Omen Obelisk
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Keyboard	Corsair K65 Mini w/ Cherry MX brown keys \| Logitech G513 Carbon w/ Romer G tactile keys
Software	Windows 10 Pro \| Windows 10 Pro

System Name	Ciel / Akane
Processor	AMD Ryzen R5 5600X / Intel Core i3 12100F
Motherboard	Asus Tuf Gaming B550 Plus / Biostar H610MHP
Cooling	ID-Cooling 224-XT Basic / Stock
Memory	2x 16GB Kingston Fury 3600MHz / 2x 8GB Patriot 3200MHz
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Case	Cougar MX410 Mesh-G / Generic
Audio Device(s)	Kingston HyperX Cloud Stinger Core 7.1 Wireless PC
Power Supply	Aerocool KCAS-500W / Gigabyte P450B
Mouse	EVGA X15 / Logitech G203
Keyboard	VSG Alnilam / Dell
Software	Windows 11

System Name	WorkInProgress
Processor	AMD 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI X670E GAMING PLUS
Cooling	Thermalright AM5 Contact Frame + Phantom Spirit 120SE
Memory	2x32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO DDR5 6000 CL32-38-38-96
Video Card(s)	Asus Dual Radeon™ RX 6700 XT OC Edition
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Mouse	Logitech G502 X
Keyboard	Duckyshine Dead LED(s) III
Software	Windows 11 Home
Benchmark Scores	ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ

System Name	Desktop // Laptop MSI GT60 // HP Zbook 17 G2
Processor	I5 10400F (soon i7 10700/F) // I7 4910MQ
Motherboard	B460M Aorus Pro
Cooling	Be Quiet! TF2
Memory	HyperX Fury 4x8GB 2666 // 4x8GB 1600 G.SKILL RipJaws
Video Card(s)	Asus RTX 3080 TUF // MXM Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000
Storage	500GB Nvme + 2x1TB SATA + 128GB M.2 SATA // 2x Intel S3510 800GB in RAID 0
Display(s)	AOC G2590PX 25" 144hz 1080p // 80hz
Case	MB311L with BeQuiet fans
Audio Device(s)	Philips Fidelio X2HR + Geekria QuickFit Boom / some 40yo philips stereo
Power Supply	Be Quiet! Pure Power 11 CM 600W
Mouse	MAD GIGA G928H
Keyboard	Steelseries Apex M500 (red switches)
Software	Windows 10 x64

POLL: Classic Shell for Windows 10 ... whos using it?

Are you using Classic Shell with your Installation of Windows 10?

Yes

No

Sometimes

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