What is Reddit's opinion of
Classic Shell?
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➔ Classic Shell website
By popularity on Reddit, this Service is:
67 reviews of this app found across Reddit:
to get the Win7 start menu including the classic control panel. Why the hell they made it an "app" and split everything up into "Windows Settings" & "Settings" is really beyond me. Whenever i need to change something without classic shell i have to search for it, because i don't know whether it's in the one or the other.
Classic Shell. It lets you change the look and functionality of the start menu. You can make it look as flashy or as minimalist as you want and it's extremely configurable.
Say hello to the old style program list!
Intel has better gaming performance, so I'd stick with that.
SSDs are faster, but more expensive. So, for things that you load constantly - your OS, your programs, maybe a game if you can fit one on - it makes sense to put it on the SSD. Bulk storage goes on the much cheaper HDD.
For Windows 8, gaming support will be better, and it loads up faster. If you don't like the new UI, install Classic Shell, which will make it look and act like Windows 7.
> Or install classicshell to get the start menu back.
This is your best option. I've had a couple clients that were in the same position as your dad. Installing ClassicShell made them both happy :) It makes the machine look like Win 7.
Firstly - applications do not work in a void. They very often require different libraries to operate or at least system calls coming from kernel. Those change over time and will keep on changing (Linux kernel includes drivers for thousands of devices, there are changes in overlying design to specific aspects of the system as well). So every application needs to adjust to those changes.
Also - rather than ask "why" - Vim is open sourced. You can just check the changelog:
https://github.com/vim/vim/commits/master
Many of these changes are actually platform specific, for instance here's one aimed for Windows only:
https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/7f88b65f6cde3d69386e461f61271a271b79b7e8
> When will the user/creator be content with the list of features and resort to only bug fixes/patching and not make the library/tool bloated with wishes of a million users?
Oh, in many cases they are already content with number of features. But maintaining your application to keep working is not that simple. Look at a popular project known as ClassicShell:
How hard can it be to replace a start menu from Win 7/8.1/10 with something that looks more like XP? Answer is - too hard and time consuming, author decided to drop it's support due to the fact that every bigger Windows patch broke it again and again.
The beauty of OpenShell/ClassicShell is it allows you to configure the style all the way back to Windows XP if you like. Here's the gallery page:
Yeah updating to a newer OS stresses me out too, I almost cried when my dad upgraded to '98. You can make 10 look more like 7 though. This is what I use http://classicshell.net/
My dad also has an 80 year old neighbor who hasn't moved on from DOS and went on a massive rant when I asked him about it. I'm 99.9% sure he's diagnosed autistic.
Much better times. I hate having to re-figure out how to make my computer do what I want and how to stop it from doing things I don't want it to do.
All these constant design changes make me think they're either trying to keep people employed or make me give up control of my own computer.
I mentioned Classic Shell in another comment, I added it to Windows 10 also and it works. I should say I don't know much about Windows 10 so I can't say how much Classic Shell changes the interface.
I sympathize, I loathe the default Windows 10 UI with a burning passion. I am not familiar with Cinnamon but with the following tools, I managed to make Windows look almost indistinguishable from KDE-Plasma.
You will need:
Winaero Tweaker is essential, literally hundreds of options to customize your experience.
Classic Shell, to get rid of the annoying start menu tiles abomination, although it is discontinued, it still works perfectly fine (for now).
Ribbon Disabler to get rid of the convoluted menus in Explorer.
I really like windows 8.1 The only drawback of start screen is fixed with classic shell. And you get the the modern features that aging win7 lacks while still being in control of your PC, unlike win10 the service. It also feels the snappiest of them all.
As others said, get an ssd, crucial mx500 has great reviews and great price, it will be with you for like 10 years... its not just investment in to this notebook...
I would dual boot manjaro linux, likely the KDE version. Once you go rolling release you aint going back to ubuntu and alike, also AUR repository is just too good to pass on.
Might I recommend Classic Shell? It replaces the Win10 tile menu with an XP/Vista/Win7 startup menu. Unless you rely on the tile setup, Classic Shell also has a feature that allows one to have a transparent taskbar on start just like TB 1.2. In my experience, Classic Shell Menu is better at consistently making my taskbar transparent than TB 1.2 has done.
If you're interested, here's the link: http://classicshell.net/
Switch to Classic Shell and I think you're covered (you might want to switch anyway). Also, I use Everything to search, but, yeah, for the Start Menu, try using Classic Shell and see if that works (I have an SSD for Windows, and put large stuff + media files on the spinny disk, so I can just let search do it's thing, as the noisy stuff is most likely to be on the SSD).
You might also want to check if there's a way to limit a process' Disk priority and I/O, and use that instead (so search can run, but only lowest priority (might already be that) and only at a very slow data I/O).
Yes! Classic Shell should do the trick for you. :) You can even go back to an XP-style menu if you like (either the themed or classic version).
It might not immediately be compatible with the Windows 10 release, depending, but if it's not then I'm sure the author will make it compatible as soon as they can and release an update.
You will need to find a start menu replacement.
If you want aesthetic on top of functionality, Start10 will be what you're looking for at $5. ClassicShell will give you just the same functionality, and perhaps a little more intricate customization, but in my opinion I think it's ugly.
Knowing Windows, there will be dozens of programs like those once Windows 10 is more official.
I'd suggest going back to Windows 8.1. You might be able to find drivers by going to each OEM's site (i.e. Intel for chipset drivers, Reaktek for audio, etc.) but it'll be a hassle, if it works.
If you just don't like the Win 8 look and feel install Classic Shell to get the Win 7 look, including the start menu.
Edit: Fixed link
- Download Classic Shell to get the old Start Menu back.
- Right-click on the taskbar to disable stuff like the Charms Menu and to have it boot straight to the desktop.
- In the control panel, change the trackpad settings to again disable some Windows 8 gestures (e.g. Charms menu).
- Change the default programs of some file types to desktop programs instead of Windows 8 apps.
And now you can pretty much ignore the fact that the Metro UI exists. I think you have to go there if you want to change some settings, but that'll be maybe once in a while, if at all.
Here's the image for it: https://i.imgur.com/LysK5FH.png To use it, you need a program called "Classic Shell", this is also how I changed my taskbar as well.
There used to be a free one called classic shell it worked great.
Edit: It hasn't been updated since 2017, but it was Windows 10 compatible before he quit. Also he posted the source code when he finished development..
There are some different ones to choose from here: http://classicshell.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=17&sid=475dd6e4ca00c76c3167d579f04ef7f8
I also have a skin I've been working on that has many layout/color customizations: Fluent-Metro
Here's some more things to help:
By just using Windows, there is no way that I know of to make the color of the taskbar 100% black. But, there is a program called Classic Shell that should be able to let you change the color of the taskbar to pure black.
lmao Yeah I know what you mean. I use Classic Shell myself (which I would install again in a heartbeat if I ever did go up to Windows 10). But considering my next desktop will be a Linux machine running a Windows VM for gaming and one or two Windows-only or non-Linux programs, I won't have to worry too much about it.
There really is no good argument not to use Windows 10. It's the most advanced version and all the spying features have been added to Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 as well.
You can disable most of the data mining features -- from the settings and using e.g. Spybot Anti-Beacon.
The thing I hate the most about Windows 10 is the horrible start menu which has all sorts of unnecessary crap (i.e. Twitter app etc.) but you can install the good ol' Windows 7 style menu back with Classic Shell.
I seriously dislike the w10 start menu. I don't find it practical at all. I've gone the classic Shell way every since w8 came up with eh fullscreen start menu bs and never returned (save for like a few days i gave to the new w10 menu before getting fed/annoyed with that bullshit).
Fun fact: Everyone else i happened to come across who says he dislikes w10 instantly improves his opinion after classic Shell. It's free and i can't recommend it to everyone enough:
While I do know that you've planning on reinstalling, I have a couple suggestions for the search issue. Specifically, I recommend trying out either Classic Shell or Everything, even after reinstalling.
Both offer much faster searches, at least from my experience. Personally, I use Classic Shell as I simply prefer the older start menu style, as well as the program's added customization, however if you want to stick to the Windows 10 menu, Everything will search all files on all drives instantly.
Again, that's a risk you run with all software, without which some of our courses couldn't run. Just because it's third party doesn't invalidate it. If anything, third party apps such as CS are more likely to continue than first party support, especially with MS' future plans on subscription services, CS will probably be supported longer than Win7.
I feel a little context is worth putting down: I understand your point that there is a risk that something could break and remain broken. If it were a 6 month old project with questionable optimizations and unclear future plans, I would completely agree with you, and would advise extreme caution in the circumstance. However that isn't the case with CS. According to the site (http://classicshell.net for reference) "Classic Shell has been in active development for 5 years and has over 25 million downloads."
As I say; I admire your cautiousness and in many cases, mirror it. However CS has proven over the past 3 years of my use to be fully competent, and has worked better than Win10's start menu, which completely failed just after full release.
> It's free and open source.
It is not free or open source (it is gratis, though, of course). It used to be free software but not longer is as the developer believes "there is nothing to be learned from the source code". The developer also talks about how the project could be stolen.
May I suggest Classic Shell. Classic shell is used to revert your start menu to how they use to be in previous Windows and allows you to apply different themes. Heres what my desktop looks like using the Windows 7 start menu and the Metro theme It is still being regularly updated for improvements to working on Windows 10 but its completely stable and functional already.
[Edit] With the Programs Tab open
"Will it run OS X?" is a loaded question, since pretty much anything with an x86 processor made in 2004 or later can boot into OS X. A better question would be, "Is it worth the effort to install OS X on this computer if a ton of stuff is gonna be broken?" More often than not, it's not worth it to run OS X on a laptop, and especially not as a primary OS.
If you don't like Windows 8 due to the interface clashes, I'd try out Classic Shell to bring back the Start Menu. If that doesn't go far enough and you're feeling adventurous, you might look at the Windows 10 Technical Preview.
The one part of Windows 8 that really annoys me is the Metro stuff. I use classic shell Look into it, and change the icon to something pretty and you won't be seeing much of the metro screen.
I'll let someone else help you with optimization. Good luck!
Try to get used to it first. But if it is just too frustrating, install Classic Shell. It brings back the Vista/7 style start menu and should make things easier to find for you.
ModernMix will do it, but it costs. There's no good FOSS alternative.
Otherwise this will be built-in to Windows 10.
Classic Shell will give you the Windows 7 startbar back, for free.
Stardock (the company that made ModernMix) also made Start8, which will do the same as classic shell, for $5.
My opinion is don't downgrade to 7. What is the reason for doing so? Install classic shell if you hate the start screen and want a Win7 style start menu, but don't throw out all the good things Win8 brings to the table over that one feature that most people don't like.
With the 1x8GB RAM stick, it leaves space for you to buy another 1x8GB RAM stick and upgrade to 16GB. Plus, because the motherboard is using the LGA1150 socket, you can easily swap out the i3 for any of the new Haswell Refresh CPUs that are coming out. Not sure about future CPU releases, though (then again, those things are never very predictable). The motherboard also has enough SATA 6GB/s ports that you can easily add another couple of HDDs or SSDs. And the PSU should be strong enough for anything up to a GTX 770/R9 280X.
As for Windows 8.1, it will have better support, and will support DirectX 12 once that comes out. If you don't like it because of the way it looks, pick up Classic Shell - it's a free program that will make Windows 8 act like Windows 7.
Lastly, the CPU isn't single threaded. It's a dual core CPU with hyperthreading, meaning the CPU can handle up to 4 threads at once. Additionally, Intel CPUs perform better for gaming than their AMD equivalents - the vast, vast majority of games are still singlethreaded processes that don't take much advantage of either multiple cores or hyperthreading, and the Haswell i3s beat out even the AMD FX 8300 series in some games.
Way ahead of you Microsoft....I just use Classic Shell, its a free utility which adds the start button in Windows 8 amongst other window features and tweaks.
Its the dogs balls.
Agree with /u/diychitech. My daily work system is a Macbook pro running Windows. Haven't booted in OSX in months. The rMBP 13" is actually a fairly decent value for what you get when you compare it to how much Asus wants for the similar spec'd UX301LA. Just make sure you put Win8.1 on it so you can make use of the power saving features of Haswell. (Install ClassicShell if you hate the modern UI). If there was a dGPU model of the rMBP 13", I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately the HD5100 graphics aren't quite up to the games I want to play (MMOs).
Also check out the HP Zbook 14. Discrete buttons, matte screen, dockable and good performance, but not cheap.
workaround: get Classic Shell and revel in no more Windows 10 start menu fuckery as well as having some ability to customise your start menu
but, yes... Microsoft has some pretty frustrating design elements that just make you wanna headdesk
Its called Classic Shell. It allows you to modify all kinds of things in the taskbar and start menu like transparency, skins, icons, etc. Haven't used vanilla windows 10 search in well over 2 years, cause it looks gross and never works.
My custom made start button on the other hand...
One thing about Classic Shell - as stated on its official website, it’s no longer in active development.
It’s been replaced by Open Shell on GitHub, and I’d recommend you should be using that instead.
thanks, how does it works ?
at the moment i am using this program
which let me switch part of windows 8 functionallity to how windows 7 or 10 works.
but i dunnot know how that program works the one you mentioned, thanks.
Ever since Windows 8, I've used the Classic Shell Menu to replace that crappy bloated start menu that comes with Windows now. I don't see any stupid ads or Microsoft banners. I've removed most of the unnecessary "apps" too, such as "People" and the "Microsoft Store".
> I’d like to get the icons correct.
You can grab the icons from a Windows 98 installation if you want, but you will not be able to change system icons apart from a few on your desktop for most parts. Microsoft digitally signs most of the files and if you alter them, W7 will try to recover unaltered versions of them.
The theme itself is not a problem since W7 still supports the classic Windows themes. You might need to tinker with a few colors to make it look more like W98 (the blue gradient in the active window bar for example) but it's possible.
Things like the start menu can be altered using Classic Shell to give it the Windows 98 look and feel.
> I’d also like to change the start up sound to windows 98
This is possible. Most sounds can be changed via the control panel, you just need to copy your old sound files from W98 over. The startup sound can be changed by replacing the appropriate WAVE resource in imageres.dll (please make a copy before modifying it). The file is not signed so you should not run into problems.
> and maybe even the startup screen.
That is unlikely to be possible. Similar to the startup sound, it's probably a hardcoded sequence of images in some random DLL file.
Classic Shell offers a pretty decent range of Start Menu customisation, so you might want to give it a try.
Make an image backup of Windows first, or at the very least, create a restore point before you play around with it.
It used to be much better in Windows 7 but then they decided everyone would like bing search results to appear in there (err, no).
I use Classic Start Menu (don't bother with explorer and ie). I originally installed it because I couldn't find where microsoft had moved all the buttons to but the search is so much faster as well.
I knew you'd appreciate that software. Unfortunately I don't know any way to integrate it with the Windows search functionality, but only because I haven't tried to. I'd do some googling, but I doubt you'll find much. Windows is a closed source OS after all, and not only that, it's pretty messy which makes working (more or less hacking it) a pain.
I personally have Cortana off because it's a spy tool for Microsoft. I don't even use the regular search function, because it's pretty much useless since it never gets any but a very short few of my entires correct. It got better after I turned off the whole "optimized search with bing" thing, but still wasn't as good as the one they had with Vista and 7, and especially not as good as the Windows 98 search, which was on the same level as search everything but less "everything" and closer to "exactly what you need," while still going through an index of the entire drive.
A tip would be to, after you search something, have it specifically look for a specific file type in the search result, as to speed up your file search process. Knowing what drive it's on helps to, since you can search everything within just one drive, not the entire system.
Better yet, I would recommend, for someone like you, to get Classic Shell. It's essentially a 1:1 recreation of the Windows 7 start menu, and it has a very good search feature. http://classicshell.net/
The easiest solution would be to install classic shell on windows 10.
But since this is about linux, I'd say Ubuntu LTS is the way to go, you want to stick with something that will keep getting updates, and you'll want to setup automated updating as much as possible. You might consider just showing her a live demo and let her test it out and see if she prefers it or not. I'd recommend either XFCE or LXQT for simplicity compared to gnome or other more fancy desktops, they both function fairly similar to how windows 7 did in regards to the applications menu and such.
To those annoyed by this: Classic Shell. Gets rid of the Win10 Start Menu & replaces it with your choice of Win7/WinXP/Win98, packed with an actually functional search feature.
With drivers, my guess is they would work.
You could also avoid Acer drivers with the GPU, as I'm fairly certain Nvidia still provides Windows 8.1 and 7 drivers. Can't say for the other stuff though.
Change is hard. People said the same for windows 7 and were die hard xp fanatics.
The new task manger is awesome...why do you hate it? The taskbar and startmenu is garbage. I'll agree, however i use this. http://classicshell.net/ ezpz
automatic updates are hardly a bother, except the semi-annual "service packs". That can be a bit screwy...
And honestly, if you were really pissed off with microsoft, go install Linux.
> unless they can do something that can't be fixed by wiping my hdd and reinstalling my os
cough wannacry cough
> not sure if I'm the only one
You're definitely not the only one. The Windows 10 start menu is just a big massive joke. The first thing I did to my Windows 10 install was to install Classic Start (actually it was the second thing, the first thing I did was install Chocolatey since it's 2017 and Windows still lacks a decent package manager).
You may be interested in Classic Shell to get the old start menu, once youve got that installed you can completely disable cortana from running (although you sometimes have to do it again after it updates).
First install Classic Shell Start Menu BEFORE uninstalling Cortana, otherwise you'll break the start menu and search function. Install it from here: http://classicshell.net/
Then, use this to uninstall Cortana: http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-uninstall-and-remove-cortana-in-windows-10/
I've done this twice now on two different builds, and it's worked perfectly. I did research before doing this the first time and a lot of people vouched for its safety. But don't take my word for it, do your own research before taking an Internet strangers' advice. Even if Cortana weren't a resource-hogging spy, classic shell start menu is just a superior navigation tool, imo.
EDIT: I'm a dummy who didn't see that OP already got it sorted, but I'll leave this here just in case it helps anyone else.
You also need to create a single administration account called 'user' or some other annonymous non identified name. Then you should be OK. (Bought new (used) PC, user called 'User' added password to this one local account, installed classic shell (http://classicshell.net), changed some options. I'm enjoying windows 10 with a windows 7 start menu. You can accomplish much If you set your mind to it!
Not really there a few different start menu replacement some are free others cost money. This one is free and works good. http://classicshell.net/ You can set to have start menu from like xp up to one that looks like windows 7 / and even themed so it fits in with Windows 10 and can even have it so the Window 10 start is a click away if you did want to get to that one.
The interface is still much better than 8 was, and you aren't forced to use any of the "modern/metro" apps. Also if you really hate the 10 Start Menu you can use Classic Shell makes the Start Menu look exactly like Windows 7. It's free too.
It should be noted though, that after the latest update, that was installed right after I made these screenshots, that the search function works a little bit better now. Although, I still like classic shell better.
windows 8/8.1 was really not much of an issue. First thing I did was plopping a 3rd party start menu like Classic Shell on to bring back a windows 7 style start menu and enjoying some of the minor improvements that they made. Really didn't notice much of a difference.
If you miss the start menu you can use Classic Shell to bring it back. Windows 10 is coming out in a couple days, but I'm going to hold back for a month or two to see how well it's received.
My thoughts exactly. If the OP can't even provide the error messages he has probably fucked up the installation somehow.
Then again one possibility here is that the activators see the legit OEM license and thus do not try anything. So OP, just install Windows 8 back and use Classic Shell like you should've done in the beginning.
Install Class Shell on a Win8 machine and you're back in familiar Win7 territory (ie, a start menu).
Don't write off the extensibility of a PC - you can have something highly configurable and with a degree of future proofing that you will never see in an Apple device.
Edit: From Wikipedia - "Classic Shell is a freeware, formerly open-source software for Microsoft Windows that restores several usability-oriented Windows user interface (Shell) features, File Explorer features and Internet Explorer features which have been removed by Microsoft." (including the long lost start button!)
You can look at this list to see some spec and price comparisons to see what you're up against within your budget.
But, I would personally go for the Lenovo Y40-80 while it's on sale for $699. New i7-5500U Broadwell CPU, a GPU a bit ahead of the Nvidia GT 840M, good battery life, and strong build quality. I know you said that battery life and portability aren't a huge facrot, but if you're ever going to take it to class, it can really, really be a huge benefit to last up to ~7hrs.
Also, you're really going to have to deal with getting Windows 8 on pretty much any laptop you're going to buy at this point. There are some rare exceptions, but they seem the most common when getting business class laptops from resellers. What you CAN do, though, is get Classic Shell which is free, and it'll make 8 look and feel like 7.
Upgrading to Windows 8 or 8.1? I highly recommend installing Classic Shell. It gives you the old Windows start menu back and removes basically everything I hate about Windows 8 when combined with the 8.1 update.
Also the free edition of SuperAntiSpyware is great when regularly used with CCleaner.
There are ways to do it, but I don't think anyone would ever recommend it.
You can install Win7 on SSD, but you will need the files to boot associated with that particular OS.
There shouldn't be a problem running dual Operative Systems, but you will need to reinstall everything on Win7 that you want to run from there.
Also, have you looked at classic <strong>shell for Win8?</strong> It will pretty much turn it into Win7.
The performance is much better than Windows 7. There's less problems with purchasing, because there's only two editions as opposed to 7's... 7, I think? If you hate the UI, there's Classic Shell which gives you your usual Windows 7 look with the Start menu and stuff. So in the end you get Windows 7 with better performance. As for the Start screen? Eh... to each their own. I like the ability to pin as many apps as I want and categorise pinned apps easily.
Turns the Start button into the Start menu. It makes Win8 very, similar to Win7. Plus you can completely ignore the whole apps section where a touch screen makes sense and just stay on the desktop.
May I suggest Classic Shell? http://classicshell.net/ It's a nice program that does what you are asking about, almost exactly. I've used it for a number of people that had your (or similar) preferences.
Off topic answer: me, me, me!