Handy Start Menu Alternatives

Handy Start Menu is described as 'Do you often find yourself looking for a program in the long list of the Start menu?' and is an app. There are more than 25 alternatives to Handy Start Menu for a variety of platforms, including Windows, File Explorer, Linux, Android and Android Tablet apps. The best Handy Start Menu alternative is Listary, which is free. Other great apps like Handy Start Menu are Open Shell, Keypirinha, Classic Shell and StartAllBack.

filter to find the best alternatives

Handy Start Menu alternatives are mainly Application Launchers but may also be File Search Utilities or System Tweakers.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Handy Start Menu.
Handy Start Menu iconHandy Start Menu
  12
  • Freemium • Proprietary
  • ...

Do you often find yourself looking for a program in the long list of the Start menu?

More about Handy Start Menu
More about Handy Start Menu
Handy Start Menu alternatives page was last updated May 10, 2023
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  1. Listary icon
    Listary icon

    Listary

     276 likes
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    Listary is a revolutionary search utility for Windows that makes finding your files and launching applications blazing fast, for casual and power users alike!.

    112 Listary alternatives
    Global Search

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    • File Explorer
    Web Search
    Listary screenshot 2
    +1
    General Settings

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Fast file and folder search
    2. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    3.  Integrated Search
    4.  File Search
    5.  Application Launchers
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Full-Text Search
    9.  Quick Switch
    10.  Content Searching
    11.  Portable
    12.  Fuzzy Finder
    Listary iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    Listary VS Handy Start Menu

    Is Listary a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     

    • Listary is the most popular Windows alternative to Handy Start Menu.

    • Listary is the most popular free alternative to Handy Start Menu.

    • Listary is Freemium and ProprietaryHandy Start Menu is also Freemium and Proprietary
    • Listary is LightweightHandy Start Menu is not according to our users
  2. Open Shell icon
    Open Shell icon

    Open Shell

     98 likes
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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.

    40 Open Shell alternatives
    Open Shell screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Open Shell screenshot 1
    Open Shell screenshot 2
    +2
    Open Shell screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Customize Windows
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  System Tweaker
    4. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    5.  Make Taskbar Transparent
    6.  Ad-free
    Open Shell iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    Open Shell VS Handy Start Menu

    Is Open Shell a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     

    • Open Shell is the most popular Open Source alternative to Handy Start Menu.

    • Open Shell is Free and Open SourceHandy Start Menu is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Open Shell is Lightweight and Privacy focusedHandy Start Menu is not according to our users
  4. Keypirinha icon
    Keypirinha icon

    Keypirinha

     212 likes
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    A lightning fast and flexible keystroke launcher for Windows. No installation required (portable). Extensible with Python3 plugins.

    154 Keypirinha alternatives
    smart search

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    customizable interface
    math expressions evaluator
    +2
    base converter

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Customizable
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Launcher
    3.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    4.  Application Launchers
    5.  File Search
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Support for scripting
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Calculus solving
    Keypirinha iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    Keypirinha VS Handy Start Menu

    Is Keypirinha a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
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    Screenshot
    Start8 icon

    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 dire...
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  6. Classic Shell icon
    Classic Shell icon

    Classic Shell

     208 likes
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    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

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Classic Shell Features

    1. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    2.  Change Start Button
    3.  Customize Windows
    4.  Multiple languages
    Start Menu Settings
    Custom Toolbar
    +3
    Classic Shell screenshot 3
    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 iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    Classic Shell VS Handy Start Menu

    Is Classic Shell a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
  7. StartAllBack icon
    StartAllBack icon

    StartAllBack

     25 likes
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    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
    Consistent design language
    StartAllBack iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    StartAllBack VS Handy Start Menu

    Is StartAllBack a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     

    • StartAllBack is the most popular commercial alternative to Handy Start Menu.

    • StartAllBack is Paid and ProprietaryHandy Start Menu is Freemium and Proprietary
  8. FastKeys icon
    FastKeys icon

    FastKeys

     116 likes
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    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.

    127 FastKeys alternatives
    FastKeys screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    FastKeys screenshot 1
    FastKeys screenshot 2
    +9
    FastKeys screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Text Expansion
    2.  Autocompletion
    3.  Autohotkey
    4.  Run Windows software
    5.  Portable
    6.  Cloud Sync
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Support for Gestures
    9.  Exe Compiler
    10.  Macro Recording
    11.  Support for Hotkeys
    12.  Launcher
    FastKeys iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    FastKeys VS Handy Start Menu

    Is FastKeys a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
  10. Start11 icon
    Start11 icon

    Start11

     24 likes
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    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 screenshot 1
    Start11 screenshot 2
    +9
    Start11 screenshot 3
    Start11 iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    Start11 VS Handy Start Menu

    Is Start11 a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
  11. StartIsBack icon
    StartIsBack icon

    StartIsBack

     32 likes
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    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
    Original fully-featured Windows 7 start menu
    Desktop and Modern interfaces are clearly separated
    +1
    Rich customization and configuration
    StartIsBack iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    StartIsBack VS Handy Start Menu

    Is StartIsBack a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
  12. RetroBar icon
    RetroBar icon

    RetroBar

     10 likes
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    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

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows

    RetroBar Features

    1.  Themes
    RetroBar iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    RetroBar VS Handy Start Menu

    Is RetroBar a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
  13. Direct Folders icon
    Direct Folders icon

    Direct Folders

     29 likes
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    Access your folders from anywhere.

    110 Direct Folders alternatives
    Direct Folders screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Windows Explorer

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1. File Explorer icon  Windows Explorer Extension
    2.  Quick Switch
    3.  Folders
    Direct Folders screenshot 1
    Direct Folders screenshot 2
    +1
    Direct Folders screenshot 3
    Direct Folders iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    Direct Folders VS Handy Start Menu

    Is Direct Folders a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
  14. Start Menu X icon
    Start Menu X icon

    Start Menu X

     26 likes
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    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

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Start Menu X Features

    1.  Tabbed interface
    Start Menu X screenshot 1
    Start Menu X screenshot 2
    Start Menu X iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    Start Menu X VS Handy Start Menu

    Is Start Menu X a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
  15. PStart icon
    PStart icon

    PStart

     49 likes
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    PStart is a simple tray tool to start user defined applications. Designed to run portable applications, you can start anything runnable from USB key devices or removable disks.

    32 PStart alternatives
    PStart screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Launcher
    3.  Software Management
    PStart screenshot 1
    PStart screenshot 2
    Discontinued

    nothing since 2007

    PStart iconHandy Start Menu Icon

    PStart VS Handy Start Menu

    Is PStart a good alternative to Handy Start Menu?
     
12 of 46 Handy Start Menu alternatives