Software Alternatives & Reviews

Handy Start Menu VS Classic Shell

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

Handy Start Menu logo Handy Start Menu

This small utility makes computing much easier - it's easier to find and launch programs.

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.
  • Handy Start Menu Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12
  • Classic Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

Handy Start Menu videos

Secret to a Personal Windows Start Menu Layout - Handy Start Menu Tutorial! - Tekzilla Daily Tip

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Handy Start Menu and Classic Shell)
LMS
24 24%
76% 76
Note Taking
22 22%
78% 78
OS & Utilities
25 25%
75% 75
Bookmarks
28 28%
72% 72

User comments

Share your experience with using Handy Start Menu and Classic Shell. 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 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.

Handy Start Menu mentions (0)

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

Classic Shell mentions (18)

  • Scrollbars Are Becoming a Problem
    There's a great add-on called... ClassicShell http://classicshell.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 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
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Handy Start Menu and Classic Shell, you can also consider the following products

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.

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

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!

Start8 - Start8 returns the familiar Start menu to Microsoft's latest Windows 8 operating system.

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.

Power8 - Start menu replacement for Windows