Classic Start 8 Alternatives

Classic Start 8 is described as 'keeps the familiar form and function of Windows®7 by placing a traditional start button back in its place along with access to all programs, pinning options, search features and shut down choices' and is an app. There are more than 25 alternatives to Classic Start 8 for Windows. The best Classic Start 8 alternative is Open Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Classic Start 8 are Classic Shell, 7+ Taskbar Tweaker, StartAllBack and StartIsBack.

Classic Start 8 alternatives page was last updated

Classic Start 8

Free • Proprietary

Classic Start 8 keeps the familiar form and function of Windows®7 by placing a traditional start button back in its...

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Open Shell
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
System Tweaker
Windows
32 Open Shell alternatives
Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start menu to modern versions of Microsoft Windows.
- - Open Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to Classic Start 8.
- - Open Shell is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Classic Start 8.
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Open Shell Features
1. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Open Shell.
Customize Windows
Change Start Button
Classic Shell
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
System Tweaker
Windows
32 Classic Shell alternatives
Classic Shell is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows, and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it.
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Classic Shell Features
Customizable
Change Start Button
Multiple languages
Customize Windows
Discontinued
The developer announced that Classic Shell will be no longer developed because Windows 10 is updated too frequently and because Microsoft is making more difficult to customize Windows: http://www.classicshell.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8147 Last version, 4.3.1, released in August 2017, can be still downloaded from the official website, together with the source code.
7+ Taskbar Tweaker
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
System Tweaker
Windows
28 7+ Taskbar Tweaker alternatives
Customize the Windows taskbar with dozens of exclusive options.
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7+ Taskbar Tweaker Features
1. Portable7+ Taskbar Tweaker can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customize Windows
Multiple languages
StartAllBack
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Windows
27 StartAllBack alternatives
The Windows 11 version of the Startisback replacement shell. This software allows you to make Windows 11 look like previous versions of Windows or a modified version of itself.
- - StartAllBack is the most popular commercial alternative to Classic Start 8.
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StartAllBack Features
Customize Windows
StartIsBack
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Windows
29 StartIsBack alternatives
StartIsBack returns Windows 8 a real fully featured start menu and start button, behaving exactly like the ones in Windows 7. StartIsBack radically improves desktop usability and makes new Start screen clutter-free.
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StartIsBack Features
1. PortableStartIsBack can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customizable
Pokki
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Windows
16 Pokki alternatives
Pokki puts web-connected apps in your taskbar, so they're always only one click away. Welcome to the modern desktop.
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Pokki Features
Launcher
Discontinued
The program seems to be no longer updated. Social pages are not updated since 2014. Last version can be still downloaded from the official website.
Start11
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
System Tweaker
Windows
28 Start11 alternatives
Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10 / Windows 11 . Quickly access your most used items, search your PC more effectively and personalize the look and feel of your start menu.
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Start11 Features
Customizable
Start Menu X
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Windows
26 Start Menu X alternatives
Start Menu X is a replacement of the system menu for professionals.

Virtual Groups Group programs by purpose (office applications, graphics, etc) without changing their location on the hard drive.

One-click start

The PRO version allows you to assign a primary program to any f.
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Start Menu X Features
Customizable
Tabbed interface
RetroBar
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Windows
17 RetroBar alternatives
Pining for simpler times? RetroBar teleports you back in time by replacing your modern Windows taskbar with the classic Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP style.
RetroBar has no features, suggest some!
Start8
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Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
System Tweaker
Windows
28 Start8 alternatives
Return the Start Button to Windows 8 With these features:
- Search for Windows 8-style (Modern UI) apps
- Pin desktop and Metro apps to the start menu
- Jump List support
- Unified Search for apps, settings and files
- Boot directly to the Windows 8 desktop
- One click access to.
Start8 has no features, suggest some!
Power8
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Windows
23 Power8 alternatives
Start menu replacement for Windows.
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Power8 Features
Multiple languages
Launcher
Start Menu Reviver
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Windows
29 Start Menu Reviver alternatives
Start Menu Reviver offers an improved Start Menu for Windows 8/7 that blends the traditional Start Menu functions with the Windows 8 design concept and provides quick access to all your desktop and Modern GUI (Metro) applications.
Start Menu Reviver has no features, suggest some!