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Open Shell VS Active@ Boot Disk

Compare Open Shell VS Active@ Boot Disk and see what are their differences

Unimus
Unimus is a Network Automation and Configuration management (NCM) solution designed for fast deployment network-wide and ease of use. Unimus does not require learning any abstraction or templating languages, and does not require any coding skills. featured
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Open Shell logo Open Shell

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

Active@ Boot Disk logo Active@ Boot Disk

System can't start normally? Easy way to access you data and repair your PC!
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07
  • Active@ Boot Disk Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-13

Open Shell features and specs

  • Customization
    Open Shell provides extensive customization options, allowing users to modify the Start menu to fit their preferences, from design to functionality.
  • Familiar Interface
    It offers a classic start menu which is familiar to users of older Windows versions, making it easier for them to navigate.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it allows for community contributions, making it more transparent and potentially more secure.
  • No Cost
    Open Shell is free to use, providing a cost-effective solution for users who want a different Start menu experience without paying for software.
  • Regular Updates
    The project is fairly well-maintained, receiving updates that add new features and fix potential issues, improving user experience over time.

Possible disadvantages of Open Shell

  • Compatibility Issues
    There could be compatibility problems with certain Windows updates or third-party applications, requiring troubleshooting and fixes.
  • Learning Curve
    While it offers many customization options, new users might find the settings and customization process overwhelming and confusing initially.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, it relies heavily on community support rather than professional customer service, which can be a drawback for users needing prompt assistance.
  • Resource Usage
    Though generally lightweight, Open Shell can consume additional system resources, which might be impactful on less powerful machines.

Active@ Boot Disk features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    Active@ Boot Disk provides a wide range of tools for data recovery, partition management, disk imaging, and password resetting, making it a versatile toolkit for various system tasks.
  • Bootable Environment
    The software creates a bootable environment independent of the operating system, which is crucial for troubleshooting and recovery on systems that can't boot normally.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Despite its powerful features, Active@ Boot Disk offers an intuitive interface that is accessible to both novice and advanced users.
  • Secure Data Erasure
    It includes tools for securely erasing data, ensuring that sensitive information cannot be recovered by unauthorized users after deletion.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize the boot disk according to their needs by adding additional drivers and tools, providing flexibility in different scenarios.

Possible disadvantages of Active@ Boot Disk

  • Cost
    Active@ Boot Disk is a paid software, which might be a drawback for users looking for free solutions for system recovery and data management.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Active@ Boot Disk has limited features compared to the professional version, potentially necessitating a purchase to access its full capabilities.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, some of the more advanced features and tools may require additional learning or technical knowledge to use effectively.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    There can be occasional issues with the compatibility of certain hardware devices, which might require additional driver installation or updates.
  • Lack of Real-Time Support
    Users may find the lack of real-time technical support challenging, as they might have to rely on online resources or documentation for troubleshooting assistance.

Analysis of Open Shell

Overall verdict

  • Open Shell is considered a good tool for those who desire a more traditional Start Menu experience on modern Windows versions. It is reliable, versatile, and generally well-received by the community for resurrecting the familiar interface from previous Windows iterations.

Why this product is good

  • Open Shell (formerly known as Classic Shell) is appreciated for its ability to bring back the classic Start Menu functionality to Windows, particularly for users who prefer the interface design and usability of older versions of Windows. It provides a customizable menu, various skins, and additional enhancements for the Start Button, File Explorer, and Internet Explorer. The software is lightweight, free, and open source, allowing for a high degree of personalization and adaptability.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer the classic Windows Start Menu.
  • Individuals who are not satisfied with the default Start Menu on newer Windows versions.
  • Users seeking a highly customizable and lightweight menu solution.
  • Technical users who appreciate open-source software and want to tweak their system appearance and functionality.
  • Anyone upgrading from older Windows versions who wants to maintain a consistent user interface experience.

Open Shell videos

+ Add

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

Active@ Boot Disk videos

+ Add

How to make Active@ Boot Disk Suite Bootable USB 2018

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Open Shell and Active@ Boot Disk)

Open Shell

Active@ Boot Disk

Note Taking
100 100%
Note Taking
0% 0
OS & Utilities
82 82%
OS & Utilities
18% 18
Backup And Disaster Recovery
0 0%
Backup And Disaster Recovery
100% 100
LMS
100 100%
LMS
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Open Shell and Active@ Boot Disk, 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.

UBCD4Win - "UBCD4Win is a bootable recovery CD that contains software used for repairing, restoring, or...

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.

Hirens BootCD - Hirens BootCD is a powerful, all-in-one boot disk utility that will help you resolve and make reformatting your computer easily.

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.

AOMEI PE Builder - Free tool to create bootable USB drive, CD/DVD or ISO file based on Windows PE.

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