Open Shell vs Classic Start 8

Struggling to choose between Open Shell and Classic Start 8? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Open Shell is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like start-menu, explorer-replacement, windows-shell.

It boasts features such as Classic start menu interface, Advanced configuration options, Support for themes and skins, Fully customizable menus and shortcuts, Plugin architecture for extensions, Multi-monitor support, Search box with advanced filtering, Keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys and pros including Lightweight and fast, Highly customizable, More options than Windows 10 start menu, Familiar interface for Windows 7 users, Completely free and open source.

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

Its standout features include Restores the classic Start menu for Windows 8 and 10, Lets you customize the Start menu with different styles and layouts, Adds useful shortcuts like shutdown and restart to the Start menu, Enables boot to desktop so you avoid the Start screen on login, Lets you search for apps, settings and files from the Start menu, Supports pinning apps and programs to the Start menu, Lets you resize the Start menu and change its transparency, and it shines with pros like Brings back the familiar Start menu for Windows users, Highly customizable with different menu styles, Easy to setup and use, Lightweight software with little impact on system, Available for free with no ads or nags.

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.

Open Shell

Open Shell

Open Shell is a free and open-source start menu replacement for Windows that provides advanced configuration options and customization. It aims to restore the classic start menu for users who prefer the Windows XP or Windows 7 interface.

Categories:
start-menu explorer-replacement windows-shell

Open Shell Features

  1. Classic start menu interface
  2. Advanced configuration options
  3. Support for themes and skins
  4. Fully customizable menus and shortcuts
  5. Plugin architecture for extensions
  6. Multi-monitor support
  7. Search box with advanced filtering
  8. Keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Lightweight and fast

Highly customizable

More options than Windows 10 start menu

Familiar interface for Windows 7 users

Completely free and open source

Cons

Less intuitive for new Windows users

Requires some time to configure

Occasional bugs or crashes

Limited native integration with Windows 10 features


Classic Start 8

Classic Start 8

Classic Start 8 is a program that restores the Start menu and other user interface features from older versions of Windows. It brings back the familiar menu style, search, and customization options that many preferred in previous Windows releases.

Categories:
start-menu windows classic-ui customization

Classic Start 8 Features

  1. Restores the classic Start menu for Windows 8 and 10
  2. Lets you customize the Start menu with different styles and layouts
  3. Adds useful shortcuts like shutdown and restart to the Start menu
  4. Enables boot to desktop so you avoid the Start screen on login
  5. Lets you search for apps, settings and files from the Start menu
  6. Supports pinning apps and programs to the Start menu
  7. Lets you resize the Start menu and change its transparency

Pricing

  • Free
  • One-time Purchase

Pros

Brings back the familiar Start menu for Windows users

Highly customizable with different menu styles

Easy to setup and use

Lightweight software with little impact on system

Available for free with no ads or nags

Cons

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

Occasional bugs or glitches reported

Some advanced customization options require paid upgrade

May conflict with future Windows updates

Lacks some native features of the Windows Start screen