Fluent-Metro VS Open-Shell-Menu

2)Download Fluent-Metro Skin (it's a customizable skin )

Also: Open-Shell, with this skin for a proper menu without ads and shit.

I know it is not what you want but if you want "dark themed" search install Open-Shell with Fluent-Metro skin

Openshell (with the fluent metro theme) is a free alternative that gives a similar look and a ton of customizability.

I also have a skin I've been working on that has many layout/color customizations: Fluent-Metro

Download the release here (GitHub).

If you want to try this, it's a skin for Open-Shell Menu: Fluent-Metro

BTW, you can check out a functioning version of this here: https://github.com/bonzibudd/Fluent-Metro

Wow, that Start menu looks very similar to the one I've been working on: bonzibudd/Fluent-Metro: A modern, highly customizable Start menu for Open-Shell. (github.com)

I've been very happy happy with https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu as a Start Menu replacement. If ads have rolled out to my Windows install, I wouldn't even notice.

Whenever I set up a new computer for older family members, despite it being windows 11, I always install open shell[1] and retro bar[2]. Between the two, I've made the operating system look very close to Windows XP visually, and they always appreciate it.

[1] https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

[2] https://github.com/dremin/RetroBar

There's Open-Shell but it's not exactly a full WM replacement.

Hi yall, I used Open-Shell to change the icon.

There is also Open Shell, a free and open source tool which performs a similar function.

I wish so bad there is a port (a fork) of the Legacy Kickoff start menu for Windows: https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/issues/1083

Classic Start Menu

I use Open Shell (fork of Classic Shell) as a replacement to original Start Menu. This gives me full control over what appears in start menu - no results from internet, animated tiles, etc (I am on Win 10 though, from what I read the Win 11 is supported, but not yet officially [1]). It could be a solution to the ads appearing in start menu.

[1] https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/issues/1564

Looks like you're going for an XP theme. May I suggest using open-shell to skin the taskbar, start menu, and start button if you wanna take that extra step? You can also find the taskbar skin and start button here. Also, I would remove the search bar, task view button, and news & interest area of the taskbar just to bring things together. This is all just a suggestion, you don't have to if you don't want to.