Software Alternatives & Reviews

Real Desktop VS Classic Shell

Compare Real Desktop VS Classic Shell and see what are their differences

Real Desktop logo Real Desktop

The desktop is the principle segment of the Windows working framework from Microsoft where the desktop envelope is dependably the base of the catalog structure and the word desktop implies under Windows the essential work surface.

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.
  • Real Desktop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-13
  • Classic Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

Real Desktop videos

Real Desktop Tutorial and Review

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 Real Desktop and Classic Shell)
Note Taking
12 12%
88% 88
OS & Utilities
14 14%
86% 86
LMS
0 0%
100% 100
Virtual Desktop
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Real Desktop and Classic Shell. 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 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.

Real Desktop mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Real Desktop yet. Tracking of Real Desktop 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 / 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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Real Desktop and Classic Shell, 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.

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

iCollections - Organize your Mac desktop items.

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.

TAGO Fences - TAGO Fences is a simple, lightweight, and handy application that is specially designed to help users organize their desktop icons in several areas known as Fences.

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.