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

[jboydgolfer]

I feel like I'm very boring because I use windows 10 the way it came when I downloaded it. I do have all those live tiles disabled

 

[hat]

I used classic shell for Windows 8, but now that I'm on 10 I use the start menu as is. Windows 8 was jacked up and definitely needed something to make it run like a computer again instead of a tablet...

 

[Bill_Bright]

And that's part of the problem in Win10, Microsoft expects everyone to know and memorize keyboard commands instead of going with something that everyone already knows, a button in a menu that is easily accessed.

Huh? Come on! Let's get real here. Microsoft is not expecting you know or memorize any keyboard shortcut! They included that option for those us have been long-time "keyboard commandos".

And FTR, you don't represent "everyone". If you don't want to learn keyboard shortcuts, don't! No one is making you! That's part of the beauty here. You have choices.

A little homework - How long have keyboards been around that included the Windows key? Since 1994!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XP supported Win key + L to lock the desktop as did Win2K. So did Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

As easily determined with a little homework and a few seconds with Google, this is not a W10 thing. And it certainly is not a "problem" with W10. The problem is we ran out of Ctrl + key, Alt + key, Shift + key and F-key assignments. So the Win Key + helped resolve problems. It didn't create them.

Keyboard shortcuts are great features (and "shortcuts") for those of us who want to use them and like to use them - instead of going through a menu system. But if you don't want to, you don't have to. That's not a problem. That's a choice - always good for users.

 

[lexluthermiester]

What you said

There are oh so many problems with that but you're off topic. Rope it in..

 

[Shou Miko]

I am using Classic Shell even at work been using it since it was released never had any complains about it

I might try not to install it when I reinstall Windows 10 this weekend on another drive just to see if I can make good friends with Windows 10's starts menu.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I might try not to install it when I reinstall Windows 10 this weekend on another drive just to see if I can make good friends with Windows 10's starts menu.

You can always install it, but don't configure it to run when Windows starts.

As for making friends with it, I have many friends, clients and colleagues who really didn't like the W10 UI, but gave it chance and now love it. These are really the same complaints we hear every time Microsoft changes the desktop - as they did with XP and then with Vista/W7. I never migrated to Vista but W7 was quite foreign at first. But then I got used it and soon, whenever an XP system came in, it seemed foreign.

It really boils down to what you are used to. After all, once you fire up your browser, email program, game, or Office program, the OS UI steps out of the way.

Rope it in..

That's what I did - by posting the facts about Win Key shortcuts. I do my homework before posting. As seen here, the Windows Key was first introduced on Microsoft keyboards in 1994 which of course was before Windows 95. But it was not until XP in 2001 when the Win Key + L keyboard shortcut was introduced to lock the desktop.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

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.

Same ,but for me it lasted a month then I kinda got used to using explorer for a lot of stuff and ditched classic start.

 

[hat]

There are oh so many problems with that but you're off topic. Rope it in..

Gotta agree with Bill. I've been using the same keyboard shortcuts since 7, or even XP. And I've never seen w10 necessitate the use of them. There's plenty of things I can complain about with w10, but keyboard shortcuts aren't one of them.

If you havin Windows problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a shortcut ain't one.

 

[jsalpha2]

I love ClassicShell, but I'm kind of odd. 98% mouse, 2% keyboard. Standard Win 10 Start..I just stare at it and go where the heck are my programs.

 

[lexluthermiester]

And I've never seen w10 necessitate the use of them. There's plenty of things I can complain about with w10, but keyboard shortcuts aren't one of them.

I'm not complaining about the keyboard shortcuts themselves. I'm complaining about the increasing necessity for them to be used because Microsoft keeps moving things around in illogical and unintuitive ways. The godawful crapshow that was Windows 8/8.1 started this nonsense and even though Microsoft backtracked a bit, they're still making things difficult for users. Basic things that people used to know right where to find are now in places one wouldn't think to look or are not easily found. The learning curve caused by the transition from Windows XP to 7 was easy. From Windows XP or 7 to 10? It's a joke and more than a bit daunting for most users, which is why the adoption rates are still only creeping along.

They spent 15 some odd years refining the start menu and control panel to something really very functional and well liked and then tossed it to the wind pissing off everyone and making Windows a laughing stock in the process. It directly caused the creation of programs that either force the restoration of previous functionality or replace lost functionality, one of which is the subject of this very thread, Start Menu replacements.

I love ClassicShell, but I'm kind of odd. 98% mouse, 2% keyboard. Standard Win 10 Start..I just stare at it and go where the heck are my programs.

You're not that odd. That's the exact same thing I keep hearing every week from clients who try out Win 10. I show them Open Shell(Classic Shell's direct replacement) and all is good again, mostly.

 

[qubit]

Classic Shell still works fine with the latest W10 version and I’m still using it. I’ll change to something else when I start having problems with it.

 

[John Naylor]

Best UI I used with Windows to date was HPs "Dashboard" 1993 ?) ... stye was revived with Mijenix's / Vcom's / Avanquest Toolbar / Power bar / Coolbar all of which have long ago ceased development. Would love to see something mirroring that functionality w/o my eyes hurting.

 

[ArbitraryAffection]

I am using Windows 10 Pro's default UI and start menu and I really like it. I turned off a few tiles in the start menu but have all my most used apps there to start quickly and I just search for everything else.

 

[moproblems99]

I feel like I'm very boring because I use windows 10 the way it came when I downloaded it. I do have all those live tiles disabled

I'm with you. If I have time to sit down at my computer at home, I am probably getting in as much game time as I can. To heck with what the start menu looks like.

 

[95Viper]

Start10... works great, never had trouble, and, always updated.
I have used a couple of StarDock's applications and they seem solid.

 

[lexluthermiester]

StarDock's applications and they seem solid

True, they really are.

 

[storm-chaser]

I personally use Classic Shell for the start menu tweak-ability. I prefer to have total control over what programs go where and how those programs and all my data is displayed. Although CS has been out of development for a year, as already mentioned, it's a true testament that despite windows updates and patches it still works flawlessly. I don't foresee any updates breaking it short of an entirely new OS.

That being said, it's simply the click of one option and you can default back to the standard Win 10 start menu.

 

[Gorstak]

I don't use Explorer as a shell at all, I use Double Commander, and I have used InstantSheller app to replace the original Explorer.

 

[storm-chaser]

Thanks for that.


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.

I would argue the start menu from Classic Shell has a near identical fit and finish relative to that of Start 10s. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in looking at the start 10 screenshots on their website I will even make the statement that Classic Shell has a better fit and finish and closer resembles an authentic "Microsoft" start menu.

And I only use the start menu feature of CS so with that in mind, it is at least a master of one.. And I think the majority of people here only use it for that purpose. I don't see the need to switch or upgrade to Start 10 when I can get something that's free and also works perfectly for it's intended purpose. CS gets an A+ in my book and just because it's outdated does not mean it's "obsolete". Short of a brand new OS, I think it will continue to run flawlessly for quite some time.

 

[Vayra86]

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

This from start to finish lol. Stop living my life. I did use 3.1 as wel but at that time I hadn't the slightest clue what I was doing.

I use Classic Start, the one that shows on ninite.

I like it because it makes locking my homescreen faster, and control panel is right there. I don't know how to lock to my login screen with win 10 official start menu, all it shows it shut off and restart

Ctrl+alt+del > Enter. The same as how it works on literally every Windows machine since 7


Myself... I think I can't go back to the old Start menu.

It doesn't get much cleaner than this.. and for whatever is not there, I can just start typing. Even for the good old config panel:

 

[rtwjunkie]

I would argue the start menu from Classic Shell has a near identical fit and finish relative to that of Start 10s. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in looking at the start 10 screenshots on their website I will even make the statement that Classic Shell has a better fit and finish and closer resembles an authentic "Microsoft" start menu.

Sooooo......based on screenshots and not actual usage you’ve arrived at this position. Mmmmkay. Better to just say you like what you are using and leave it at that, instead of making assenine statements.

For the record though, you have a choice of 3 different start menu styles with Start10.

 

[Gorstak]

Shouldn't there be some kind of registry entry to allow old classic menu? Without any third party app?

 

[Assimilator]

Who's "whos"?

 

[Splinterdog]

Start 10 for me too, because it's so customisable and you can even change the Windows Start icon in the lower left, if you're so inclined.
Tiles may look good on a phone or a tablet, but not on a PC.

 

[newtekie1]

Shouldn't there be some kind of registry entry to allow old classic menu? Without any third party app?

There was in early version of Windows 10, but Microsoft removed it pretty early on.