Open-Shell-Menu VS Classic-Start

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.

FYI, Classic Shell is discontinued, long live the https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

Finally, to get a decent start menu and context menu back Explorer patcher and Shell work wonders. There is also Open shell if you want that classic Windows 7-10 look, but personally I think it looks dated in comparison. The Win11 start menu looks fine, it's just missing core functionality.

Open-Shell-Menu is a collection of utilities that can return some of your favorite features to newer versions of Windows. Revel in the glory of classic-style features like a Start menu for Win 7, 8 & 10; tool and status bars for Windows Explorer; title and status bars for Internet Explorer. Hel_OWeen says, "I honestly have a hard time to navigate any Windows version > W2K without it."

if you don't like the new taskbar, start menu, or the new right click menu, you'll want to grab ExplorerPatcher, Open-Shell, and WinAero Tweaker which will effectively make 11 look and feel like 10 again. sometimes i genuinely forget that i'm using 11

Reddit is full of facts about them. I offer you one: how to fix classic shell: https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

ExplorerPatcher combined with Open-Shell