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StartAllBack VS Open Shell

Compare StartAllBack VS Open Shell and see what are their differences

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  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

StartAllBack logo StartAllBack

StartAllBack is software that helps to customize the start menu to Windows 7 & 8.

Open Shell logo Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...
  • StartAllBack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-11
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07

StartAllBack features and specs

  • Familiar Interface
    StartAllBack restores the familiar Windows 7-style Start menu and taskbar, making it easier for users accustomed to previous versions of Windows to navigate the operating system.
  • Customization Options
    The software offers a range of customization options, allowing users to tweak the appearance and functionality of the Start menu, taskbar, and other UI elements to better suit their preferences.
  • Performance Enhancements
    StartAllBack can potentially enhance system performance by optimizing the way UI elements are handled, which may lead to faster access and responsiveness of the Start menu and taskbar.
  • Easy Installation
    The software is relatively easy to install and set up, requiring minimal technical knowledge to get started with restoring the classic Windows interface.

Possible disadvantages of StartAllBack

  • Compatibility Issues
    There may be occasional compatibility issues with certain third-party applications or updates to Windows, which might cause StartAllBack to malfunction or require reconfiguration.
  • Limited Free Version
    StartAllBack may offer limited functionality in its free version, prompting users to purchase the full version to unlock all features and customization options.
  • Learning Curve
    New users or those unfamiliar with previous Windows interfaces might experience a learning curve while adjusting to the changes and customizations offered by StartAllBack.
  • Additional Resource Usage
    While generally optimized, having an additional application like StartAllBack running could potentially consume system resources, which might slightly impact performance on older or less powerful machines.

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.

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.

StartAllBack videos

+ Add

StartAllBack for Windows 11

Open Shell videos

+ Add

Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

Category Popularity

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

StartAllBack

Open Shell

OS & Utilities
54 54%
OS & Utilities
46% 46
Note Taking
52 52%
Note Taking
48% 48
LMS
52 52%
LMS
48% 48
Linux
100 100%
Linux
0% 0

User comments

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

Based on our record, StartAllBack seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 10 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.

StartAllBack mentions (10)

  • Is there any way at all to reduce the size of the taskbar (and thereby gain additional space icon/open application space)?
    I did a bunch of searching and am using startallback.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • PSA: If anyone wants a better start menu experience on Windows, install Open Shell
    For a paid option that is awesome(which I personally use) is StartAllBack: https://startallback.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Think the upgrade to windows 11 will always be free for windows 10 users?
    Assuming you're talking about the Taskbar, yeaahhhhh that's a thing with Windows 11 unfortunately. You can use something like StartAllBack or Start11 (both of which are paid) to restore that functionality. Either that, or you can use ExplorerPatcher (free) to restore the Windows 10 Taskbar and thus its functionality. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Aero tadkbar in Windows 10 using a new tool I wrote
    Pretty cool, but tools like that already exist (TranslucentTB, StartAllBack). Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Available today: The Windows 11 2022 Update
    Yup, it is sadly still unusable without https://startallback.com/ :(. - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
View more

Open Shell mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing StartAllBack and Open 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.

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.

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.

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!

GiMeSpace QuickMenu - A simple and fast task launcher and switcher.

Skip Metro Suite - Skip Metro Suite is a simple and intuitive tool that is used by millions of users around the world for personalizing the Windows Start Menu and making it look like a professional app.

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