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Open Shell VS WizMouse

Compare Open Shell VS WizMouse and see what are their differences

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Modern PSA and RMM Software for MSP's and IT Teams featured
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Open Shell logo Open Shell

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

WizMouse logo WizMouse

WizMouse makes your mouse wheel scroll the window under the mouse even if it's not active. You no longer have to click a window to scroll it.
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07
  • WizMouse Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-09

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.

WizMouse features and specs

  • Increased Productivity
    WizMouse allows users to scroll in windows that are not currently active, reducing the need to frequently switch windows and improving workflow efficiency.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application has a simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible for users of all experience levels without requiring a steep learning curve.
  • Customizable Settings
    Users can customize WizMouse settings to fit their preferences, such as enabling or disabling the scroll wheel on certain windows or adjusting the scrolling speed.
  • Lightweight Software
    WizMouse is a small and lightweight application, meaning it does not require significant system resources and can run efficiently in the background.

Possible disadvantages of WizMouse

  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users may experience compatibility issues with certain applications or specific versions of Windows, which can lead to inconsistent behavior or require additional troubleshooting.
  • Limited Functionality
    While WizMouse offers enhanced scrolling features, it lacks additional advanced features that could further enhance user experience or provide more extensive customization options.
  • No Mac Support
    WizMouse is only available for Windows operating systems, which means Mac users cannot benefit from its enhanced scrolling features.
  • Potential Bugs
    Some users report occasional bugs or glitches, such as the scroll feature not working as expected in certain situations, which may require updates or user intervention to resolve.

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

WizMouse videos

+ Add

Wizmouse- Must have App for Multi-taskers

More videos:

  • Review - WizMouse - Scroll the window under the mouse pointer - Download Video Previews
  • Demo - WizMouse Demo

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Open Shell and WizMouse)

Open Shell

WizMouse

Note Taking
85 85%
Note Taking
15% 15
OS & Utilities
100 100%
OS & Utilities
0% 0
Automation
0 0%
Automation
100% 100
LMS
100 100%
LMS
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Open Shell and WizMouse. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WizMouse seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Open Shell mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Open Shell yet. Tracking of Open Shell recommendations started around Mar 2021.

WizMouse mentions (1)

  • 2 wheel mouse
    I guess I'll pass it forward with a recommendation of WizMouse, a tiny background application that lets you scroll windows you mouse over them without selecting them which is great for stuff like looking through a reference in a browser while typing into another application like when writing a paper, checking documentation while coding, etc. It's been around forever and I feel like a lot of people don't know of... Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Open Shell and WizMouse, 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.

X-Mouse Button Control - XMouse Button Control (XMBC) allows you to create application and window specific profiles.

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.

KatMouse - The prime purpose of the KatMouse utility is to enhance the functionality of mice with a scroll...

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.

btnx-config - Button Extension - application to customize pointing devices on Linux systems.

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