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Classic Shell VS TaskbarTools

Compare Classic Shell VS TaskbarTools and see what are their differences

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.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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Alternatives Is it good?
TaskbarTools

Set the Windows Taskbar to any opacity and colour desired.

Rating
0 reviews
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Alternatives Is it good?
Notivo
Notivo is a private, per-person notebook for managers. Capture feedback, commitments, and 1:1 context as it happens — from web, iOS, WhatsApp, email, ChatGPT, or Claude — then get it back later, organized by person. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Classic Shell seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 18 times since March 2021.

social mentions
18 vs 0
Note Taking popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
54 vs 9

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Classic Shell
TaskbarTools
Website classicshell.net github.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in
OS & Utilities Note Taking LMS Bookmarks +1
OS & Utilities Wallpapers Personalization Windows Tools +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Classic Shell 5 features
TaskbarTools 0 features
  • 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

  • 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.

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Classic Shell
TaskbarTools

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.

Overall verdict

  • TaskbarTools is a solid, lightweight open-source utility for Windows that lets users customize the taskbar's appearance, offering transparency and color tweaks that Windows lacks natively, making it a good choice for those wanting a cleaner desktop look.

Why this product is good

  • Free and open-source, so it's transparent and community-verifiable
  • Lightweight with minimal system resource usage
  • Allows fine-grained control over taskbar transparency, color, and accent effects
  • Simple, portable tool that doesn't require complex installation
  • Actively used by the Windows customization community

Recommended for

  • Windows users who want to customize taskbar transparency and appearance
  • Desktop customization enthusiasts and rice communities
  • Users seeking a lightweight, free alternative to paid customization tools
  • Those comfortable running open-source utilities from GitHub

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Classic Shell 3 videos + Add
TaskbarTools 0 videos + Add

Classic Shell with Windows 10!

More videos

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

No TaskbarTools videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Classic Shell
TaskbarTools
100% 100%
Note Taking
0% 0%
0% 0%
Wallpapers
100% 100%
100% 100%
LMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
Personalization
100% 100%

User comments

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Classic Shell 18 mentions
TaskbarTools 0 mentions

View more

Tracking TaskbarTools since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Classic Shell and TaskbarTools

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

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