Open Shell Alternatives

Open Shell is described as 'Fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start menu to modern versions of Microsoft Windows' and is a popular System Tweaker in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Open Shell for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Android, Android Tablet and BSD apps. The best Open Shell alternative is Classic Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Open Shell are StartAllBack, 7+ Taskbar Tweaker, FastKeys and Start11.

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Open Shell alternatives are mainly Desktop Environments but may also be System Tweakers or Window Managers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Open Shell.
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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.

More about Open Shell
Open Shell alternatives page was last updated Jul 8, 2024
  1. Classic Shell icon
     205 likes

    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

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Classic Shell Features

    1.  Windows Explorer Extension
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  Customize Windows
    4.  Multiple languages
    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 iconOpen Shell Icon

    Classic Shell VS Open Shell

    Is Classic Shell a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
    Comments about Classic Shell as an Alternative to Open Shell
     
    Guest

    I'm an IT / PC /Mac Network consultant. Classic shell is the original version of Open Shell. Open Shell still seems to work fine with Windows 10 v1903. I am not a big fan of the new Windows (formerly called "Metro") Interface, and install Open Shell on every W10 computer I use. My clients also are very pleased with it.

    Positive commentJul 8, 2019
    4
    Open Shell Icon
    Classic Shell icon
    • Classic Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to Open Shell.

    • Classic Shell is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Open Shell.

    • Classic Shell is Free and Open SourceOpen Shell is also Free and Open Source
  2. StartAllBack icon
     22 likes

    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
    StartAllBack iconOpen Shell Icon

    StartAllBack VS Open Shell

    Is StartAllBack a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
    • StartAllBack is the most popular commercial alternative to Open Shell.

    • StartAllBack is Paid and ProprietaryOpen Shell is Free and Open Source
  3. 7+ Taskbar Tweaker icon
     95 likes

    Customize the Windows taskbar with dozens of exclusive options.

    28 7+ Taskbar Tweaker alternatives
    7+ Taskbar Tweaker screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Customize Windows
    3.  Multiple languages
    7+ Taskbar Tweaker iconOpen Shell Icon

    7+ Taskbar Tweaker VS Open Shell

    Is 7+ Taskbar Tweaker a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
  4. FastKeys icon
     113 likes

    All in one Windows automation software. Fully configurable text expander, start menu, shortcuts, auto complete and mouse gestures. User-defined commands to run files, open webpages, send macros or automate anything. Incredibly powerful but yet simple to use.

    126 FastKeys alternatives
    FastKeys screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Text Expansion
    2.  Autocompletion
    3.  Autohotkey
    4.  Run Windows software
    5.  Cloud Sync
    6.  Exe Compiler
    7.  Portable
    8.  Launcher
    9.  Macro Recording
    FastKeys iconOpen Shell Icon

    FastKeys VS Open Shell

    Is FastKeys a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
  5. Start11 icon
     20 likes

    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 iconOpen Shell Icon

    Start11 VS Open Shell

    Is Start11 a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
  6. StartIsBack icon
     32 likes

    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
    StartIsBack iconOpen Shell Icon

    StartIsBack VS Open Shell

    Is StartIsBack a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
  7. Cairo Shell icon
     47 likes

    Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows. Its goal is to develop a desktop experience that increases productivity and advances current technology standards.

    41 Cairo Shell alternatives
    Cairo Shell screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cairo Shell iconOpen Shell Icon

    Cairo Shell VS Open Shell

    Is Cairo Shell a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
  8. RetroBar icon
     8 likes

    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

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Windows

    RetroBar Features

    1.  Themes
    RetroBar iconOpen Shell Icon

    RetroBar VS Open Shell

    Is RetroBar a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
  9. Start Menu X icon
     26 likes

    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

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Start Menu X Features

    1.  Tabbed interface
    Start Menu X iconOpen Shell Icon

    Start Menu X VS Open Shell

    Is Start Menu X a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
    Comments about Start Menu X as an Alternative to Open Shell
     
    0x6A7232

    It supports tabs. And themes. Excellent.

    Positive commentOct 31, 2021
    0
    Open Shell Icon
    Start Menu X icon
    • Start Menu X is Freemium and ProprietaryOpen Shell is Free and Open Source
  10. Start8 icon
     30 likes

    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
    Discontinued

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

    Start8 iconOpen Shell Icon

    Start8 VS Open Shell

    Is Start8 a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
  11. WindowBlinds icon
     17 likes

    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

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Skins
    3.  Themes
    WindowBlinds iconOpen Shell Icon

    WindowBlinds VS Open Shell

    Is WindowBlinds a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
  12. RoundedTB icon
     5 likes

    Add margins, rounded corners and segments to your taskbars! - GitHub - torchgm/RoundedTB: Add margins, rounded corners and segments to your taskbars!

    7 RoundedTB alternatives
    RoundedTB screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Windows

    RoundedTB Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    Discontinued

    The GitHub repository was archived in September 2023.

    RoundedTB iconOpen Shell Icon

    RoundedTB VS Open Shell

    Is RoundedTB a good alternative to Open Shell?
     
12 of 39 Open Shell alternatives