StartIsBack Alternatives

StartIsBack is described as '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' and is an app in the os & utilities category. There are more than 25 alternatives to StartIsBack for Windows, Android, Android Tablet and F-Droid. The best StartIsBack alternative is Open Shell, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like StartIsBack are Classic Shell, StartAllBack, FastKeys and Start11.

filter to find the best alternatives

StartIsBack alternatives are mainly System Tweakers but may also be Text Expanders or Clipboard 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 StartIsBack.

StartIsBack

Shell Extension
Paid • Proprietary

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.

More about StartIsBack

StartIsBack alternatives page was last updated Jun 29, 2024

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.
39 Open Shell alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
+2
Open Shell Features
1. Customize Windows
2. Change Start Button
3. System Tweaker
4. Support for Themes
5. Windows Explorer Extension
6. Lightweight
7. Privacy focused
8. Make Taskbar Transparent
Show all NaN Open Shell features ▾
Open Shell VS StartIsBack
Is Open Shell a good alternative to StartIsBack?
Comments about Open Shell as an Alternative to StartIsBack

Guest
It function as well as startisback whlie being completely free
Positive comment •Oct 5, 2021
0
- Open Shell is the most popular Windows alternative to StartIsBack.
- Open Shell is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to StartIsBack.
- Open Shell is Free and Open SourceStartIsBack is Paid and Proprietary
- Open Shell is Lightweight and Privacy focusedStartIsBack is not according to our users

Classic Shell
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
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
+3
Classic Shell Features
1. Windows Explorer Extension
2. Customizable
3. Change Start Button
4. Customize Windows
5. Multiple languages
Show all NaN Classic Shell features ▾
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 VS StartIsBack
Is Classic Shell a good alternative to StartIsBack?

StartAllBack
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
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
StartAllBack Features
Customize Windows
Context Menu extension
Show all NaN StartAllBack features ▾
StartAllBack VS StartIsBack
Is StartAllBack a good alternative to StartIsBack?
- StartAllBack is the most popular commercial alternative to StartIsBack.
- StartAllBack is Paid and ProprietaryStartIsBack is also Paid and Proprietary

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WindowBlinds
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.

https://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/
Learn More
FastKeys
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
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
- Text Expander
- Clipboard Manager
Platforms
- Windows
+9
FastKeys Features
1. Text Expansion
2. Autocompletion
3. Autohotkey
4. Run Windows software
5. Lightweight
6. Cloud Sync
7. Portable
8. Exe Compiler
9. Launcher
10. Macro Recording
Show all NaN FastKeys features ▾
FastKeys VS StartIsBack
Is FastKeys a good alternative to StartIsBack?

Start11
Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10 / Windows 11 . Quickly access your most used items, search your PC more effectively and personalize the look and feel of your start menu.
28 Start11 alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
Start11 Features
Customizable
Show all NaN Start11 features ▾
+9
Start11 VS StartIsBack
Is Start11 a good alternative to StartIsBack?

RetroBar
Pining for simpler times? RetroBar teleports you back in time by replacing your modern Windows taskbar with the classic Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP style.
18 RetroBar alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
RetroBar Features
No features, maybe you want to suggest one?
Show all NaN RetroBar features ▾
RetroBar VS StartIsBack
Is RetroBar a good alternative to StartIsBack?

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 directly to the Windows 8 desktop

One click access to.
27 Start8 alternatives
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
+2
Discontinued
The program is only for Windows 8 and no longer updated. For Windows 10 or 11, Stardock offers Start11
Start8 VS StartIsBack
Is Start8 a good alternative to StartIsBack?

WindowBlinds
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
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
- System Tweaker
Platforms
- Windows
WindowBlinds Features
Support for Themes
Customize Windows
Skins
Themes
Show all NaN WindowBlinds features ▾
WindowBlinds VS StartIsBack
Is WindowBlinds a good alternative to StartIsBack?

Start Menu X
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
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
Start Menu X Features
Customizable
Tabbed interface
Show all NaN Start Menu X features ▾
Start Menu X VS StartIsBack
Is Start Menu X a good alternative to StartIsBack?

Taskbar
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 VS StartIsBack
Is Taskbar a good alternative to StartIsBack?
- Taskbar is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to StartIsBack.
- Taskbar is Free and Open SourceStartIsBack is Paid and Proprietary

Power8
Start menu replacement for Windows.
24 Power8 alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
Power8 Features
Multiple languages
Launcher
Show all NaN Power8 features ▾
Power8 VS StartIsBack
Is Power8 a good alternative to StartIsBack?

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 access to all your desktop and Modern GUI (Metro) applications.
29 Start Menu Reviver alternatives
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
+2
Start Menu Reviver VS StartIsBack
Is Start Menu Reviver a good alternative to StartIsBack?