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Open-Shell

The continuation of Classic Shell, bringing a classic Start menu and Explorer toolbar back to Windows 7 through 11.

FreeOpen sourceWindows
Official websiteopen-shell.github.ioDownload pagegithub.comSource codegithub.com

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2 more ways to get Open-Shell

Package managers

  • wingetwinget install --id Open-Shell.Open-Shell-Menu
  • Chocolateychoco install open-shell

About Open-Shell

Classic Shell was abandoned by its original author in 2017 and Open-Shell picked it up. It provides a classic-style Start menu for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11, in several styles, plus a toolbar for Windows Explorer and a status bar showing file size and disk space.

For anyone who finds the modern Start menu slow to navigate, a hierarchical classic menu with keyboard search is a substantial improvement, and it is highly skinnable with a large collection of community start buttons and skins.

One important warning from the project: on Windows for ARM you must use version 4.4.196 or later. Installing an older version on an ARM Windows install means you will no longer be able to log into your account after the next reboot.

Strengths

  • A classic hierarchical Start menu on Windows 7 through 11, in several styles
  • Explorer toolbar and a status bar showing file size and free disk space
  • Highly skinnable, with a large collection of community skins and start buttons
  • The maintained continuation of Classic Shell, with signed builds

Limitations

  • On Windows for ARM, installing a version before 4.4.196 locks you out of your account after reboot
  • Windows only
  • Windows updates occasionally break it until a new release appears
  • Language support currently relies on downloading a separate DLL

Details

Pricing
Free · Free and open source under the MIT licence.
License
MIT
Developer
Open-Shell
Platforms
Windows
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Works offline
Yes
Best suited for
Replacing the Windows Start menu with a classic hierarchical one
Categories
Window management
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Window & Display); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 3 sources on file.

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