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, Android, Android Tablet and F-Droid. 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, StartAllBack, 7+ Taskbar Tweaker and Start11.

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Classic Start 8 alternatives are mainly System Tweakers but may also be Shell Extensions or Application Launchers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Classic Start 8.
Classic Start 8 iconClassic Start 8
  0
  • Free • Proprietary
  • ...

Classic Start 8 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.

More about Classic Start 8
More about Classic Start 8
Classic Start 8 alternatives page was last updated Jun 29, 2024
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  1. Open Shell icon
    Open Shell icon

    Open Shell

     97 likes
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    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.

    39 Open Shell alternatives
    Open Shell screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Open Shell screenshot 1
    Open Shell screenshot 2
    +2
    Open Shell screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  System Tweaker
    4. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    5.  Make Taskbar Transparent
    6.  Ad-free
    Open Shell iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    Open Shell VS Classic Start 8

    Is Open Shell a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     

    • 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.

    • Open Shell is Free and Open SourceClassic Start 8 is Free and Proprietary
    • Open Shell is Lightweight and Privacy focusedClassic Start 8 is not according to our users
  2. Classic Shell icon
    Classic Shell icon

    Classic Shell

     206 likes
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    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.

    29 Classic Shell alternatives
    Explorer Settings

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Classic Shell Features

    1. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  Customize Windows
    4.  Multiple languages
    Start Menu Settings
    Custom Toolbar
    +3
    Classic Shell screenshot 3
    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.

    Classic Shell iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    Classic Shell VS Classic Start 8

    Is Classic Shell a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  4. StartAllBack icon
    StartAllBack icon

    StartAllBack

     23 likes
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    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.

    27 StartAllBack alternatives
    Desktop showcase

    License model

    Platforms

    • Windows

    StartAllBack Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Context Menu extension
    Consistent design language
    StartAllBack iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    StartAllBack VS Classic Start 8

    Is StartAllBack a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     

    • StartAllBack is the most popular commercial alternative to Classic Start 8.

    • StartAllBack is Paid and ProprietaryClassic Start 8 is Free and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Start8 icon

    Start8

    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 dire...
    https://www.stardock.com
    Learn More
  6. 7+ Taskbar Tweaker icon
    7+ Taskbar Tweaker icon

    7+ Taskbar Tweaker

     95 likes
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    Customize the Windows taskbar with dozens of exclusive options.

    27 7+ Taskbar Tweaker alternatives
    7+ Taskbar Tweaker screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Customize Windows
    3.  Multiple languages
    7+ Taskbar Tweaker screenshot 1
    7+ Taskbar Tweaker screenshot 2
    +2
    7+ Taskbar Tweaker screenshot 3
    7+ Taskbar Tweaker iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    7+ Taskbar Tweaker VS Classic Start 8

    Is 7+ Taskbar Tweaker a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  7. Start11 icon
    Start11 icon

    Start11

     22 likes
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    Start11 is a software for personalizing the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10 and 11. Users can choose from a variety of styles, add or remove sections, change icons, and incorporate tabs. Features like color changes, transparency adjustments, spacing, alignment...

    28 Start11 alternatives
    Start11 screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Start11 screenshot 1
    Start11 screenshot 2
    +9
    Start11 screenshot 3
    Start11 iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    Start11 VS Classic Start 8

    Is Start11 a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  8. StartIsBack icon
    StartIsBack icon

    StartIsBack

     32 likes
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    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.

    27 StartIsBack alternatives
    Boot to Desktop

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    StartIsBack Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Portable
    4.  Ad-free
    Original fully-featured Windows 7 start menu
    Desktop and Modern interfaces are clearly separated
    +1
    Rich customization and configuration
    StartIsBack iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    StartIsBack VS Classic Start 8

    Is StartIsBack a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  10. RetroBar icon
    RetroBar icon

    RetroBar

     9 likes
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    Pining for simpler times? RetroBar teleports you back in time by replacing your modern Windows taskbar with the classic Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP, Longhorn, or Vista style.

    18 RetroBar alternatives
    RetroBar screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows

    RetroBar Features

    1.  Themes
    RetroBar iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    RetroBar VS Classic Start 8

    Is RetroBar a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  11. Start Menu X icon
    Start Menu X icon

    Start Menu X

     26 likes
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    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.

    25 Start Menu X alternatives
    Start Menu X screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Start Menu X Features

    1.  Tabbed interface
    Start Menu X screenshot 1
    Start Menu X screenshot 2
    Start Menu X iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    Start Menu X VS Classic Start 8

    Is Start Menu X a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  12. Pokki icon
    Pokki icon

    Pokki

     41 likes
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    Pokki puts web-connected apps in your taskbar, so they're always only one click away. Welcome to the modern desktop.

    16 Pokki alternatives
    Pokki screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Pokki Features

    1.  Launcher
    Pokki screenshot 1
    Pokki screenshot 2
    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.

    Pokki iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    Pokki VS Classic Start 8

    Is Pokki a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  13. Start8 icon
    Start8 icon

    Start8

     29 likes
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    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.
    27 Start8 alternatives
    Start8 screenshot 1

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Start8 screenshot 1
    Start8 screenshot 2
    +2
    Start8 screenshot 3
    Discontinued

    The program is only for Windows 8 and no longer updated. For Windows 10 or 11, Stardock offers Start11 icon Start11

    Start8 iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    Start8 VS Classic Start 8

    Is Start8 a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  14. WindowBlinds icon
    WindowBlinds icon

    WindowBlinds

     17 likes
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    WindowBlinds is a software application that allows users to customize the appearance of their Windows interface, including the Start menu, taskbar, window frames, control buttons, and more for Windows 10 and 11.

    39 WindowBlinds alternatives
    WindowBlinds screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Skins
    3.  Themes
    WindowBlinds screenshot 1
    WindowBlinds iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    WindowBlinds VS Classic Start 8

    Is WindowBlinds a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     
  15. Taskbar icon
    Taskbar icon

    Taskbar

     3 likes
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    Puts a start menu and recent apps tray on top of your screen accessible at any time, increasing your productivity and turning your Android tablet or phone into a real multitasking machine.

    25 Taskbar alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Taskbar iconClassic Start 8 Icon

    Taskbar VS Classic Start 8

    Is Taskbar a good alternative to Classic Start 8?
     

    • Taskbar is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to Classic Start 8.

    • Taskbar is Free and Open SourceClassic Start 8 is Free and Proprietary
12 of 26 Classic Start 8 alternatives