Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Classic Shell VS XMLStarlet

Compare Classic Shell VS XMLStarlet 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.

XMLStarlet logo XMLStarlet

XMLStarlet Command Line XML Toolkit
  • Classic Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • XMLStarlet Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-22

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.

XMLStarlet features and specs

  • Lightweight
    XMLStarlet is a lightweight command-line tool that does not require a graphical user interface, making it quick to install and use on various operating systems without consuming significant resources.
  • Versatile
    It supports a wide range of XML operations such as querying, transformation, validation, and editing, making it a multi-purpose tool for handling XML files.
  • Scripting Friendly
    XMLStarlet can be easily integrated into shell scripts, allowing for automation of XML processing tasks, which is beneficial for system administrators and developers.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source tool, it is free to use and can be modified to meet specific needs. Additionally, the source code can be reviewed for security and customized as needed.
  • Cross-platform
    XMLStarlet is available on multiple operating systems such as Linux, MacOS, and Windows, providing a consistent toolset across different platforms.

Possible disadvantages of XMLStarlet

  • Command-line Interface
    The tool operates via the command-line, which can be challenging for users who are not comfortable with non-GUI environments.
  • Learning Curve
    Users may face a learning curve, especially if they are not familiar with XML concepts or command-line syntax, requiring time to become proficient.
  • Limited Documentation
    Although there is documentation available, it may not be as comprehensive or beginner-friendly as some might require, leading to potential difficulties in finding help or examples.
  • Complex Queries
    Complex XML queries and transformations using XMLStarlet can become quite verbose, which may lead to difficulty in maintaining scripts and increasing the possibility of errors.
  • Dependency on External Tools
    For some tasks, users might need to rely on additional external tools or scripts, especially for functionalities that XMLStarlet does not support natively, adding complexity to workflows.

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

XMLStarlet videos

XML query in Bash with XMLStarlet (2 Solutions!!)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Classic Shell and XMLStarlet)
Note Taking
88 88%
12% 12
Programming Language
0 0%
100% 100
LMS
100 100%
0% 0
OS & Utilities
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

XMLStarlet mentions (5)

  • Upload images to imgur via `cmd.exe` with the help of `curl` and `XMLStarlet`, via a single one-liner doskey macro.
    XMLStarlet Windows binary avaiability: http://xmlstar.sourceforge.net/ cURL Windows binary avaiability: https://curl.se/windows/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Show HN: Xq – command-line XML and HTML beautifier and content extractor
    Shoutout to my go-to: https://github.com/EricChiang/pup#readme (also golang) and my 2nd favorite https://xmlstar.sourceforge.net/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
  • Fetch data from XML
    This sounds like a job for either PowerShell or XMLStarlet. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Is it possible for Rundeck to run a script to generate options at job runtime
    Create and run a job that creates another job via shell script. (manipulating or creating an XML/YAML job definition, maybe using xmlstarlet tool or yq). Source: almost 5 years ago
  • In Dolphin, how do I add a path to Places via terminal?
    Yes, a customisation script for new KDE (neon) installs. I think I could edit the file using XMLStarlet. Source: about 5 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Classic Shell and XMLStarlet, 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.

xmllint - command line XML tool

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.

Xidel - Xidel is a command line tool to download html/xml pages and extract data from them using CSS 3 selectors, XPath 3 expressions or pattern-matching templates.

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!

Hacker News - Hacker News is a social news website focusing on computer science and entrepreneurship. It is run by Paul Graham's investment fund and startup incubator, Y Combinator.