Software Alternatives & Reviews

Classic Shell VS VirtuaWin

Compare Classic Shell VS VirtuaWin 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.

VirtuaWin logo 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').
  • Classic Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • VirtuaWin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

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

VirtuaWin videos

VirtuaWin: Virtual Desktops for Windows

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Classic Shell and VirtuaWin)
Note Taking
61 61%
39% 39
LMS
100 100%
0% 0
Image Optimisation
0 0%
100% 100
OS & Utilities
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Classic Shell and VirtuaWin. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

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

  • Scrollbars Are Becoming a Problem
    There's a great add-on called... ClassicShell http://classicshell.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • What software would be used to remove the red elements and change the layout of the tray icon?
    Windows Classic Shell is what I have used for over a decade. It brings back the old start menu and can be customized. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Microsoft is turning Windows 11's Start Menu into an advertisement delivery system
    ClassicShell is no longer being developed. OpenShell succeeded it. (c.f., http://classicshell.net/). Source: over 1 year ago
  • Is it possible to install windows 8.1 on the surface pro 5?
    Http://classicshell.net/This lets you pick UI goodness you want. Source: over 1 year ago
  • looking for a taskbar replacement
    Other, non-rainmeter options that I'm aware of include TranslucentTB and Classic Shell (note: Open Shell is the newer version, but I'm unsure if it has the same features). Source: about 2 years ago
View more

VirtuaWin mentions (3)

  • Windows is not bad - it's a matter of familiarity
    For instance, many Linux users bash (sic) Windows because it only supported virtual desktops since very recent versions (8, I think). But that is false. You could totally have virtual desktops since Windows 98. You just had to install a third-party application for that. It is no different than having to install, say, Gnome to have a desktop on Linux. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What are the benefits of using Linux over other operating systems?
    Since Windows 98. It has been decades, not years. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How i have used 9 layers of the keyboard (for those who wonder why anyone needs that many layers
    Qwety layer Numpad layer aroww key layer Two layers are based on virtuawin. One one the fact I type using the colemak-dhm layout. Two shift layers I will replace with shit + function and alt + function keys. The mouse layer is largely novelty but if the cursor is close the I will use it as realigning my fingers with keyboard is annoying. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

Sysinternals Desktops - Desktops allows you to organize your applications on up to four virtual desktops.

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.

Cairo Shell - Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows.