Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

bug.n VS Classic Shell

Compare bug.n VS Classic Shell and see what are their differences

bug.n logo bug.n

Provide views (i. e. virtual desktops) for showing only those windows, which you need to do your work..

Classic Shell logo Classic Shell

Classic Shell was developed for Windows 8 since that was the first version of the popular operating system to forgo the iconic Start menu.
  • bug.n Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-04
  • Classic Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

bug.n features and specs

  • Tiling Window Management
    bug.n provides efficient tiling capabilities similar to those found in Linux-based tiling window managers, which can significantly enhance productivity by organizing windows in a non-overlapping manner.
  • Customizability
    The software allows for extensive customization of window layouts, key bindings, and other settings, making it adaptable to individual workflow preferences.
  • Lightweight
    bug.n is a lightweight tool, meaning it has minimal impact on system performance and memory usage compared to more resource-intensive window management solutions.
  • Free and Open Source
    As an open-source project, bug.n is free to use, and its source code is accessible for modifications, allowing users to contribute to its development or tailor it to specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of bug.n

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users might find bug.n challenging to set up and use effectively, especially if they are not familiar with the concepts of tiling window managers.
  • Limited Windows Integration
    While bug.n brings tiling window management to Windows, it may not integrate as smoothly with all Windows applications and can sometimes cause unexpected behaviors with certain programs.
  • Community Support
    Being a niche tool, the user community and support resources for bug.n are relatively limited compared to more mainstream software, which can make troubleshooting issues more difficult.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    bug.n may encounter compatibility issues with certain versions of Windows or other system utilities, requiring additional configuration or workaround solutions.

Classic Shell features and specs

  • Customizable Start Menu
    Classic Shell allows users to customize the Start Menu to a significant extent, including changing the style and appearance to resemble earlier versions of Windows (XP, Vista, and 7).
  • Performance Enhancements
    The software is lightweight and generally does not consume significant system resources, making it a performance-efficient alternative to the default Start Menu.
  • Enhanced Usability
    It brings back certain features and functionalities that are familiar and preferred by users, enhancing overall user experience, particularly for those transitioning from older Windows versions.
  • Frequent Updates
    Classic Shell is regularly updated to ensure compatibility with new Windows updates, providing a reliable solution over time.
  • Free of Cost
    Classic Shell is available for free, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to improve their Start Menu without financial investment.

Possible disadvantages of Classic Shell

  • Limited Official Support
    As Classic Shell is developed primarily by volunteers, official support may be limited compared to commercial software.
  • Complexity
    The extensive customization options might be overwhelming for less tech-savvy users, leading to a steeper learning curve.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Although updated frequently, there can be temporary compatibility issues with the latest Windows updates, requiring users to wait for the next release.
  • Lack of Modern Features
    Classic Shell aims to replicate older versions of Windows Start Menus, which might lack some of the modern features available in the default Windows Start Menu.
  • Discontinued Development
    Official development of Classic Shell was discontinued in December 2017. While community forks like Open-Shell continue the project, the lack of official development could be seen as a disadvantage.

bug.n videos

Bug.n: Dynamic Tiling Window Manager for Windows 10

More videos:

  • Review - Bug.n : Install, configuration, status bar, settings :☜(゚ヮ゚☜)

Classic Shell videos

Classic Shell with Windows 10!

More videos:

  • Review - Classic Shell Review | Make Windows 8 Like Windows 7 with Classic Shell
  • Review - Classic Shell 4.0.2 Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to bug.n and Classic Shell)
Note Taking
32 32%
68% 68
Image Optimisation
100 100%
0% 0
LMS
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Computing
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Classic Shell should be more popular than bug.n. It has been mentiond 18 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

bug.n mentions (9)

  • Somehow AutoHotKey is kinda good now
    There is even a dwm-style extremely comprehensive tiling window manager called bug.n [1], which I downloaded it way back in windows 8 days. Made a lot of changes myself and plan to open source it as a fork. Its too good. And combined with the rest of my AHK scripts, my windows setup turns out to be even more customised than many Linux systems I use. See my post of my windows setup fooling r/unixporn [2] for how it... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • [Windows] Bester gekachelter Fenstermanager für Windows?
    Bug.n — Amongst other flavours is a dynamic, tiling window manager, which tries to clone the functionality of dwm. Source: about 2 years ago
  • is there any software that lets me open a scpecific number of programs in specific places on my screen?
    Another comment mentioned what you're looking for is a window manager: another for windows is bug.n. Source: about 2 years ago
  • How do you manage your git commits?
    So when I said "window manager based Linux" I was mostly referring to the stereotypes of the Linux window manager; which 1 person not even having a mouse; staring apps; moving windows doing everything with their keyboard. If you wanna look a bit more into window managers for windows the only "okay" one that I've personally used is bug.n and for Linux there's tons; but my personal fav is I3. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Show HN: AutoHotkey for Linux
    You can implement the wm manager of your dreams in ahk ... In like 500 lines. it's amazing stuff. You can also go all out: https://github.com/fuhsjr00/bug.n. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
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Classic Shell mentions (18)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing bug.n and Classic Shell, you can also consider the following products

VirtuaWin - VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista/Win7/Win10). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called 'workspaces').

Fences - Keep your desktop organized with Fences. This is a simple software program that allows you to sort the tabs on your desktop and create files that are easily recognizable to you.

Cairo Shell - Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows.

Open Shell - Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...

Dexpot - If you don't have Dexpot yet, the new update makes it a must-have tool for Windows, adding a ton of features to your desktop that you never knew you wanted.

Start Menu X - Start Menu X with Start Button. Power users know how inconvenient and time-consuming it is to launch programs from the system menu.