Open Shell
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.
What is Open Shell?
Open Shell is a fork of Originally 
Classic Shell by Ivo Beltchev.
Flexible start menu that can mimic the menu behavior of Windows 2000, XP and Windows 7 and compatible with all recent versions of Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows.
Advanced features: •Choose between “Classic” and “Windows 7” styles. •Drag and drop to let you organize your applications. •Options to show Favorites, expand Control Panel, etc. •Shows recently used documents. The number of documents to display is customizable. •Translated in 35 languages, including Right-to-left support for Arabic and Hebrew. •Does not disable the original start menu in Windows. You can access it by Shift+Click on the start button. •Right-click on an item in the menu to delete, rename, sort, or perform other tasks. •The search box helps you find your programs and files without getting in the way of your keyboard shortcuts. •Supports jumplists for easy access to recent documents and common tasks. •Available for 32 and 64-bit operating systems. •Has support for skins, including additional 3rd party skins. Make your own! •Fully customizable in both looks and functionality. •Support for Microsoft’s Active Accessibility. •Converts the “All Programs” button in the Windows menu into a cascading menu. •Implements a customizable start button. •Can show, search and launch Windows Store apps (Windows 8).
Open Shell Screenshots
Open Shell Features
Open Shell information
- Developed bypassionate-coder
- LicensingOpen Source (MIT) and Free product.
- Written in
- RatingAverage rating of 4.1
- Alternatives31 alternatives listed
Supported Languages
- English
GitHub repository
- 5,170 Stars
- 373 Forks
- 392 Open Issues
- Updated
Comments and Reviews
Tags
- start-menu-replacement
- classic-start-menu
- shell-replacement
Category
OS & UtilitiesLists containing Open Shell
The Windows setup for everyone (with free software only) • utilities • my windows software ricing • after fresh install fffRecent user activities on Open Shell
- Slangthewang liked Open ShellSl
orionshtrezi added Open Shell as alternative(s) to StartAllBack
yongqi reviewed Open Shell
Amazing program for redesigning win10, because of this I could use win10(ugh, yea sadly I "have" to...) before it was impossible with the disgusting design of that OS, Open-Shell = awesome program for everyone who hates win10 awful looks or just want more control themselves(not Microsoft lousy "designers")!
The only option I miss in Open-Shell is sizable multi columns. The available options "Use single column", "Use multiple columns", "Auto" and "All columns are same size" are not usefull for me cause I have too many programs installed. Start Menu X has sizable multicolumns and works very well but it is too slow.
It's an outdated app that no longer works on modern versions of Windows.
The very best alternative to and replacement for the crippled Windows 11 Start Menu. How can one say that the app is "outdated and no longer works on modern versions of Windows"? Obviously, it does not work on YOUR system, which is most likely damaged, because as of this writing I have been using the currently newest version of Windows 11 (22H2), and Open-Shell works as well as it had before. I have tried StartAllBack, StartItBack, Start11, Start Menu X, you name it, and none of these programs was even close to stability, functionality and ease of use offered by Open-Shell. Start Menu X was particularly harmful, as I had to recreate registry entries that software removed/destroyer. The other three programs mentioned above are just clumsily designed, often slow, and do not provide the navigating comfort of Open-Shell. The latter is in its own class, THE standard by which the other similar programs can be judged.
I can find all the programs I have installed using Open-Shell. I can't find them with Windows start menu for some reason.
Also, I can drag and drop any program to add to start menu, which I can't do with Windows 10 start menu.
Great because Windows 10/11 Start Menu used to have ads even in Windows Professional.
It is great that someone has continued Classic Shell. As Windows 10 evolves, so do programs built to run on it/with it. Open Shell continues to make Classic Shell work in Windows 10. This is the best 3rd party start menu for Windows 10 - giving you a Windows 7 like start menu but with more options to customize.