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Classic Shell VS Kando

Compare Classic Shell VS Kando and see what are their differences

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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
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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.

Kando logo Kando

Kando offers an unconventional, fast, highly efficient, and fun way of interacting with your computer! You can use it to run commands, execute macros, open files, and much more.
  • Classic Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • Kando Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-06-10

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.

Kando features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

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.

Analysis of Kando

Overall verdict

  • Kando is a well-regarded open-source pie menu launcher that offers a fast, customizable way to trigger commands and shortcuts across Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a solid choice for users seeking to boost productivity through gesture-based menus.

Why this product is good

  • Free and open-source, so there are no licensing costs and the community can contribute improvements
  • Cross-platform support covering Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Highly customizable pie/marking menus that let you bind apps, scripts, hotkeys, and system commands
  • Fast, mouse-and-keyboard-friendly workflow that reduces the time spent hunting for actions
  • Actively developed with a growing community and regular updates

Recommended for

  • Power users who want quick access to frequently used apps and commands
  • Developers and tinkerers comfortable with configuring and scripting their tools
  • People who value keyboard and mouse gesture-based productivity workflows
  • Users across multiple operating systems needing a consistent launcher experience
  • Anyone who prefers free, open-source software over paid alternatives

Classic Shell videos

+ Add

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

Kando videos

+ Add

আর কতদিন ফেলুদা বেচে খাবেন?Joto Kando Kolkatatei - যত কান্ড কলকাতাতেই | Review by Tom Thrush

More videos:

  • Review - KANDO Gear - Trooper PRO
  • Review - আর কতদিন ফেলুদা বেচে খাবেন?Joto Kando Kolkatatei - যত কান্ড কলকাতাতেই | Review by Tom Thrush

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Classic Shell and Kando)

Classic Shell

Kando

Note Taking
88 88%
Note Taking
12% 12
Productivity
0 0%
Productivity
100% 100
LMS
100 100%
LMS
0% 0
Mac
0 0%
Mac
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Classic Shell and Kando. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Classic Shell seems to be a lot more popular than Kando. While we know about 18 links to Classic Shell, we've tracked only 1 mention of Kando. 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

Kando mentions (1)

  • Building the Mouse Logitech Won't Make
    I built my daily driver with QMK [0... It has 9 buttons, most bringing per app specific custom pie-menus with Kando [1] the design respects the most neutral position of the human arm anatomy, which lies between a slant angle of 20° up to 30° [2] [0] https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1jksi0x/mourseee/ [1] https://kando.menu/ [2] https://www.jospt.org/doi/pdf/10.2519/jospt.2004.34.10.638. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Classic Shell and Kando, 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.

Pieoneer - Let your apps fly — in a pie

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.

Pie Menu - The radial menu for Mac tailored to your active app. Speed up all your favorite programs with only one shortcut!

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!

Charmstone - The quicker switcher launcher for macOS

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