Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Classic Shell VS FastScripts

Compare Classic Shell VS FastScripts and see what are their differences

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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.

FastScripts logo FastScripts

Quick and streamlined execution of your scripts from a custom menu bar icon, or via keyboard shortcut.
  • Classic Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • FastScripts Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-11-12

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.

FastScripts features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    FastScripts offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for both beginners and advanced users to navigate and manage their scripts.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    The application supports customizable keyboard shortcuts, allowing users to execute scripts quickly and improve their productivity.
  • Lightweight
    FastScripts is designed to be lightweight, ensuring it doesn't consume significant system resources while running in the background.
  • Script Organization
    It provides a convenient way to organize scripts, allowing users to categorize and access them easily, which enhances workflow efficiency.
  • Compatibility
    FastScripts is compatible with a wide range of scripting languages, making it versatile for different automation tasks on macOS.

Possible disadvantages of FastScripts

  • Mac-Only
    FastScripts is available exclusively for macOS, which limits its usage to Apple users and excludes Windows or Linux users.
  • Paid Features
    While it offers a free version, some advanced features require a paid license, which might not be ideal for users looking for a completely free solution.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some other scripting tools, FastScripts might lack certain advanced automation features that power users might need.
  • No Integrated Script Editor
    FastScripts does not come with an integrated script editor, requiring users to use an external editor for scripting, which might not be as convenient.

Analysis of Classic Shell

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Classic Shell is considered a good tool for those who want to enhance their Windows experience with more customization and a nod to classic Windows aesthetics. It's reliable, widely used, and addresses some of the usability concerns people have with newer Windows versions.

Why this product is good

  • Classic Shell is popular among users who prefer the familiar interface and user experience of older versions of Windows, particularly Windows 7 or even XP. It offers customization options for the Start Menu, Explorer, and other UI elements, allowing a more personalized and comfortable experience for those who are not fond of newer Windows UI changes.

Recommended for

    Classic Shell is recommended for users who miss the classic Windows Start menu and layout, those who find the new Windows designs less intuitive, and individuals who want more control over their interface customization. It's particularly suitable for people transitioning from older Windows versions to newer ones who wish to maintain a certain level of familiarity.

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

FastScripts videos

FastScripts Delay

More videos:

  • Review - Fast Scripts UPGRADE SYSTEM [QB-ESX] | discord.gg/fastscripts

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Classic Shell and FastScripts)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Mac
0 0%
100% 100
LMS
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Classic Shell should be more popular than FastScripts. 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.

Classic Shell mentions (18)

View more

FastScripts mentions (5)

  • Finder Tab Preset ?
    And as far as running that AppleScript, one option is https://redsweater.com/fastscripts/, and another is https://www.keysmith.app/ (disclaimer: I wrote that second one, Keysmith). Source: about 3 years ago
  • Keyboard tricks from a macOS app dev
    FastScripts[1] might be worth a look. I've been meaning to check it out myself though so I can't offer any personal experience with it. [1] https://redsweater.com/fastscripts/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • "Edit With" function: What is the location of stored photos that I edited with Photoshop
    Pressing . Will mark a photo as Favorite (or unmark it if already a Favorite). I also use the following AppleScript (open Script Editor, paste the code, then save the script as "Flag Photo.applescript") to add the keyword "flagged" to selected photos (or delete the keyword if already assigned). You can obviously change "flagged" to be any value you want. I use the excellent utility FastScripts to assign a hot... Source: about 4 years ago
  • Fastscripts shortcuts not working anymore?
    I have several keyboard shortcuts to switch applications using FasctScripts. However, when I updated my macOS operating system a few weeks back, these FastScripts shortcuts stopped working while iTerm2 had focus (they worked everywhere else just fine). Source: over 4 years ago
  • macOS Setup after 15 Years of Linux
    I wasn't satisfied with the Automator way to make a new-terminal shortcut, it was kinda slow, and not 100% reliable. I found FastScripts and was able to make it fast and reliable. (I still use version 2.8, version 3 was just released, haven't tried it.) https://redsweater.com/fastscripts/ For the mouse wheel, there's a nice minimal proper fix: https://github.com/emreyolcu/discrete-scroll. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Classic Shell and FastScripts, you can also consider the following products

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.

Rectangle - Window management app based on Spectacle, written in Swift.

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.

yabai - A tiling window manager for macOS based on binary space partitioning

Start Menu Reviver - Free Download! Recover and update your computer with Driver Reviver and Registry Reviver. Easily update software, unlock new functionality and remove hardware device errors and clean, repair and optimize your registry in a few simple mouse clicks!

Boop - A scriptable scratchpad for developers. Free & open source!