Alternatives to Start Menu X for all platforms with any license

Classic Shell

Classic Shell is free software getting back the better start menu from Win7 in Win10!.

Free Open Source Windows
Customizable Change Start Button Multiple languages Add a feature

194 Like
- 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.
Power8

The start menu replacer for Win8, styled and integrated inside taskbar. Designed for Windows8 (v.1.0.1 tested under RTM 9200), works under XP SP3 and Se7en SP1 as well....

Free Open Source Windows
Multiple languages Add a feature

14 Like
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...

Commercial Windows
No features added Add a feature

29 Like
Start10

Start10 adds the familiar Windows 7 start menu experience to Windows 10 .

Commercial Windows
No features added Add a feature

9 Like
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.

Free Open Source Windows
Change Start Button Add a feature

6 Like
StartIsBack

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...

Commercial Windows
No features added Add a feature

19 Like
Handy Start Menu

Do you often find yourself looking for a program in the long list of the Start menu? The Handy Start Menu, a small utility will make your computation much easier and...

Freemium Windows
No features added Add a feature

12 Like
- Discontinued The program seems to be no longer updated.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

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...

Free Windows
No features added Add a feature

9 Like
Labrys Start menu

Replacement for Windows Start menu and Run dialog. Unlike many other Start menu enchantment applications Labrys does not mimic layout or visual appearance of Start...

Free Personal Windows
No features added Add a feature

1 Like
IObit Start Menu 8

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...

Free Windows
No features added Add a feature

15 Like
- Bundleware The installer may contain third-party softwares. Be careful during the installation: https://alternativeto.net/discussions/applications/11718/be-careful-in-the-installation/
Ex7forW8

This program restores native Windows 7 start menu and desktop by bringing Windows 7 explorer.exe. Start menu retains full configurability you expect from Windows 7...

Free Windows
No features added Add a feature

3 Like
Skip Metro Suite

Skip Metro Suite for Windows 8 allows you to boot directly to Classic Desktop in Windows 8 RTM and Release Preview.Also it allows you completely disable all edge panels...

Free Windows
No features added Add a feature

1 Like
GiMeSpace QuickMenu

A simple and fast task launcher and switcher. Press a custom assigned mouse/keyboard key, the menu pops up at the place of the mouse cursor, move to the desired task...

Free Windows
No features added Add a feature

12 Like
StartW8

StartW8 is a FREE but powerful tool for Windows 8 users. Do you prefer desktop to modernUI? Would you like to logon directly to desktop? And than use "Start"...

Free Windows
No features added Add a feature

3 Like
- Discontinued The program is no longer updated. Last version, 1.2.111.0, released in December 2014, can be still downloaded from the official website.
Finalbird

Start menu replacement. Finalbird integrates with file explorer for easy adding and accessing your favourites.

Free Windows
No features added Add a feature

5 Like