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The Portable Freeware Collection VS Open Shell

Compare The Portable Freeware Collection VS Open Shell and see what are their differences

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The Portable Freeware Collection logo The Portable Freeware Collection

One of the largest collections of free, portable software on the web.

Open Shell logo Open Shell

Open Shell is a fork of the Classic Shell project for Windows that getting back the classic start...
  • The Portable Freeware Collection Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-05
  • Open Shell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-07

The Portable Freeware Collection features and specs

  • Extensive Library
    The website offers a vast selection of freeware applications, which are portable and cover various categories such as productivity, multimedia, utilities, and more.
  • Portability
    All software listed on the site is portable, meaning it can be run from a USB drive or any other removable storage without installation.
  • Community-Driven
    The site relies heavily on community contributions and user reviews, ensuring that the software is tested and vetted by multiple sources.
  • Free Software
    All the available software is freeware, meaning users can download and use any application without cost.
  • No Installation Required
    Since all software is portable, it doesn’t require installation, making it easy to use without administrative privileges.

Possible disadvantages of The Portable Freeware Collection

  • Limited Support
    Because the collection consists of freeware, the level of official support from developers can be limited. Users might have to rely on the community for help.
  • Outdated Software
    Some applications listed might not be frequently updated, leading to potential security risks or compatibility issues with newer systems.
  • Varied Quality
    The quality of the software can vary significantly since it is contributed and reviewed by different users. Not all apps may meet high standards.
  • Less Comprehensive Reviews
    The reviews and ratings are community-based, which might not be as comprehensive as professional reviews. Important features or issues might be overlooked.
  • Security Risks
    Downloading freeware from any site comes with inherent risks, including potential malware. It's crucial to scan each download with reliable security software.

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 The Portable Freeware Collection

Overall verdict

  • Yes, The Portable Freeware Collection is considered good for its extensive, well-organized library of free and portable software, along with an active and knowledgeable community that contributes to its high-quality reviews and discussions.

Why this product is good

  • The Portable Freeware Collection (TPFC) is a highly regarded resource for users who seek software that is portable, lightweight, and does not require installation. It is appreciated for its vast catalog of applications across various categories, such as utilities, productivity, and multimedia tools. Each program is curated and typically includes detailed descriptions, user ratings, and community reviews. This makes TPFC an excellent site for finding trustworthy and functional portable applications.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer software that doesn't require installation.
  • Individuals who frequently switch between different computers.
  • Users who have limited storage space or prefer lightweight applications.
  • Tech enthusiasts looking for a variety of tools without the need for installation.

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.

The Portable Freeware Collection videos

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Open Shell videos

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Classic Menu for Windows 10 with Open Shell

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to The Portable Freeware Collection and Open Shell)

The Portable Freeware Collection

Open Shell

Note Taking
55 55%
Note Taking
45% 45
LMS
55 55%
LMS
45% 45
Bookmarks
74 74%
Bookmarks
26% 26
OS & Utilities
0 0%
OS & Utilities
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, The Portable Freeware Collection seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 6 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.

The Portable Freeware Collection mentions (6)

  • Free PDF editor software that can be installed without internet connection
    If you, or others here, want other portable PDF utilities and apps, then portableapps.com above is great, but also try out http://portablefreeware.com where virtually everything I've mentioned in this sub can be found. The guys that run it work a lot with the founder/owner of portableapps.com. The thumbdrive is your friend. Source: over 2 years ago
  • portable is handy !
    Even after all these years, portable software is still small. I have a big collection of Portable software, and it still fits on my USB drive. I don't grab everything at portablefreeware.com or portableapps.com, but I do get everything that I find useful and fun. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Merging PDFs without 3rd party apps
    Some that will do it easily are PDFtk Builder, PDF Arranger, cPDF, and PDFtk. All are portable and can be found at https://portablefreeware.com (where as the url states, specializes in portable and free--a great resource). Source: over 2 years ago
  • What tools do you have on your USB thumbdrive?
    Hiya, about everything from portablefreeware.com and I am not kidding. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Software that may be useful for you
    Whenever I need specialized software, the first place I look is portablefreeware.com. Why download lot byte when few byte do trick? Source: over 3 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 The Portable Freeware Collection and Open Shell, you can also consider the following products

PortableApps.com - PortableApps.com is a website offering many free, commonly used Windows applications that have been...

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.

SyMenu - SyMenu is a portable menu launcher and Start Menu replacement to organize your applications quickly...

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.

PStart - PStart is a simple tray tool to start user defined applications.

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.

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