Classic Start Menu Alternatives
Classic Start Menu is described as 'Is considered as a perfect replacement to Windows 7 Start Menu. It helps you to find programs and folders many times faster. You always know where you put your things because folders expand when you hover over them' and is an app. There are more than 10 alternatives to Classic Start Menu for Windows. The best Classic Start Menu alternative is Open Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Classic Start Menu are Classic Shell, 7+ Taskbar Tweaker, StartIsBack and RetroBar.
- Freemium • Proprietary
- 40 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.
- 30 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
Bulgaria
EU
Platforms
- Windows
DiscontinuedThe 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.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application type
Country of Origin
Israel
Platforms
- Windows
- 27 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.
- 18 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, XP, Longhorn, or Vista style.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Country of Origin
Canada
Platforms
- Windows
- 39 WindowBlinds alternatives
Customize Windows 10 and 11 with skins for Start menu and taskbar. Includes SkinStudio for designing skins, offering personalized fonts, and color and transparency adjustments.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Windows
- 7 RoundedTB alternatives
Add margins, rounded corners and segments to your taskbars! - GitHub - torchgm/RoundedTB: Add margins, rounded corners and segments to your taskbars!
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
DiscontinuedThe GitHub repository was archived in September 2023.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
Power8 Features
Do you often find yourself looking for a program in the long list of the Start menu?
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Country of Origin
Russia
Platforms
- Windows
DiscontinuedThe program seems to be no longer updated. Last version, 1.98, released in June 2015, can be still downloaded from the official website.
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.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Country of Origin
Canada
Platforms
- Windows
Start Menu 8 can help users who are not willing to change their behaviors and bring back the classic start menu. Users can enjoy a familiar start menu again with just one click while other styles are also available.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
Country of Origin
China
Platforms
- Windows
BundlewareThe installer may contain third-party softwares. Be careful during the installation: https://alternativeto.net/discussions/applications/11718/be-careful-in-the-installation/
A skinnable start menu to replace your existing Windows XP start menu. It also allows you to get the Windows Start Menu back on Windows 7, 8 or 10.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Windows
DiscontinuedThe program seems to be no longer updated. Last version, 8.1 Build 5208, released in March 2016, can be still downloaded from the official website.
WarningTrojan detected by VirusTotal.