Classic Shell vs StartIsBack

Struggling to choose between Classic Shell and StartIsBack? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Classic Shell is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like start-menu, windows-shell, classic-ui, open-source.

It boasts features such as Restores Start Menu from Windows XP, Vista and 7, Adds quick launch toolbar, Lets you customize Start Menu layout, Supports themes and skins, Lets you boot to desktop instead of Start screen, Adds desktop icons and taskbar and pros including Free and open source, Lightweight and customizable, Familiar interface for longtime Windows users, Active development and support.

On the other hand, StartIsBack is a Os & Utilities product tagged with start-menu, windows-8, windows-10, classic-ui.

Its standout features include Restores classic Start menu interface on Windows 8/8.1/10, Lets you customize Start menu layout and style, Adds quick access to recently used apps, files, folders, Lets you pin apps, programs, files, folders to Start, Adds power options like Restart, Sleep, Shut Down, Adds desktop context menu options, Lets you boot to desktop instead of Start screen, and it shines with pros like Brings back familiar Windows 7 style Start menu, Highly customizable layout and appearance, Easy to configure and use, Lightweight program with little impact on performance.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Classic Shell

Classic Shell

Classic Shell is a free, open-source program that restores the Start menu and other interface elements from older versions of Windows. It brings back the familiar menus and toolbars for users who prefer the classic Windows UI.

Categories:
Os & Utilities User Interface Customization
start-menu windows-shell classic-ui open-source

Classic Shell Features

  1. Restores Start Menu from Windows XP, Vista and 7
  2. Adds quick launch toolbar
  3. Lets you customize Start Menu layout
  4. Supports themes and skins
  5. Lets you boot to desktop instead of Start screen
  6. Adds desktop icons and taskbar

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Lightweight and customizable

Familiar interface for longtime Windows users

Active development and support

Cons

May not work fully with latest Windows versions

Some features need tweaking to work properly

No official support from Microsoft

StartIsBack

StartIsBack

StartIsBack is a program that restores the classic Start menu interface and other Windows UI features to newer Windows versions like Windows 8 and 10. It brings back the familiar Start menu layout with expandable sections, pinned apps, recent items list, power options and more.

Categories:
Os & Utilities System Customization
start-menu windows-8 windows-10 classic-ui

StartIsBack Features

  1. Restores classic Start menu interface on Windows 8/8.1/10
  2. Lets you customize Start menu layout and style
  3. Adds quick access to recently used apps, files, folders
  4. Lets you pin apps, programs, files, folders to Start
  5. Adds power options like Restart, Sleep, Shut Down
  6. Adds desktop context menu options
  7. Lets you boot to desktop instead of Start screen

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase

Pros

Brings back familiar Windows 7 style Start menu

Highly customizable layout and appearance

Easy to configure and use

Lightweight program with little impact on performance

Cons

May not appeal to users who prefer Windows 8/10 style Start screen

Occasional minor bugs or glitches

Lacks some customization options of paid Start menu replacements