Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Classic Shell VS Start Menu X

Compare Classic Shell VS Start Menu X and see what are their differences

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.

Start Menu X logo 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.
  • Classic Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • Start Menu X Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

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.

Start Menu X features and specs

  • Customizability
    Start Menu X allows users to customize the start menu to their liking, including changing the layout, adding or removing tiles, and even creating custom groups for applications.
  • Productivity Features
    It offers features aimed at enhancing productivity, such as the ability to resize the start menu, group applications, and efficiently manage installed software.
  • Virtual Groups
    The software provides the ability to organize applications into virtual groups, making it easier to find and launch applications based on categories or user preferences.
  • Teeth Integration
    Start Menu X integrates with the Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating system teeth, offering a familiar yet enhanced user experience for navigating and managing applications.
  • Multiple Skins
    The start menu can be themed with multiple skins, allowing users to personalize the look and feel of their interface.

Possible disadvantages of Start Menu X

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive customization options and features, new users might experience a learning curve when first using Start Menu X.
  • Performance Issues
    In some cases, users have reported that the application may cause slight performance issues or slowdowns, especially on older systems.
  • Cost
    While Start Menu X offers a free version, its more advanced features and customization options are locked behind a paywall, requiring the purchase of the Pro version.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Users have reported encountering occasional bugs or stability issues, which may affect the overall experience.
  • Overlap with Built-in Windows Features
    Some of the features provided by Start Menu X may overlap with built-in features of the Windows operating system, which can lead to redundancy.

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

Start Menu X videos

Start Menu X review

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Classic Shell and Start Menu X)
Note Taking
59 59%
41% 41
LMS
55 55%
45% 45
OS & Utilities
51 51%
49% 49
Bookmarks
71 71%
29% 29

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Classic Shell seems to be more popular. 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

Start Menu X mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Start Menu X yet. Tracking of Start Menu X recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Classic Shell and Start Menu X, 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.

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

StartIsBack - StartIsBack returns Windows 10 and Windows 8 a real fully featured start menu and start button, behaving exactly like the ones in Windows 7. It's totally awesome and easy solution for your new Windows woes.

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!

StartAllBack - StartAllBack is software that helps to customize the start menu to Windows 7 & 8.

Power8 - Start menu replacement for Windows