
Linux Mint
Fedora
Arch Linux
Debian
Manjaro
Windows 10
openSUSE
Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

Fences
Start Menu X
Start Menu Reviver
Open Shell
StartAllBack
Power8
StartIsBack
Classic Shell was developed for Windows 8 since that was the first version of the popular operating system to forgo the iconic Start menu.
Which is more popular?
Based on our record, Ubuntu seems to be a lot more popular than Classic Shell. While we know about 242 links to Ubuntu, we've tracked only 18 mentions of Classic Shell.
Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.
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| Website | ubuntu.com | classicshell.net |
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What each product offers, as listed by its team.


Possible disadvantages
Possible disadvantages
An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.


Overall verdict
Why this product is good
Recommended for
Overall verdict
Why this product is good
Recommended for
Classic Shell is recommended for users who miss the classic Windows Start menu and layout, those who find the new Windows designs less intuitive, and individuals who want more control over their interface customization. It's particularly suitable for people transitioning from older Windows versions to newer ones who wish to maintain a certain level of familiarity.
Walkthroughs and reviews on video.
Ubuntu 19.10 Review | The Best GNOME Desktop, Yet?
More videos
Classic Shell with Windows 10!
More videos
How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.


Share your experience with using Ubuntu and Classic Shell. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.


Ubuntu and Mint are both based on Debian and share many similarities. However, some differences may impact performances in certain use cases. For example, Ubuntu tends to be more resource-heavy than Mint, especially...
Ubuntu also has some lightweight games like chess and Sudoku. GNOME Files, formerly known as Nautilus, is the default file manager. It is recognized for its strong community support, regular releases, and focus on...
Ubuntu uses Snaps for package management, and the latter is the reason the Linux community has started repelling it. They completely dropped out-of-the-box support for Flatpaks, as we mentioned in our Ubuntu 23.04...
We have no reviews of Classic Shell yet. Be the first one to post
Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.


Data Engineers (DEs) are involved in building and maintaining systems that collect, store, and prepare data for data scientists and analysts to use. To be able to achieve this, they employ various techniques and tools, and one of these... - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
Ubuntu: One of the most widely used and popular Linux distributions. It is user-friendly and recommended for beginners. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
The tools are ready. The community is welcoming. And the best part !! You don’t need to be a tech expert to make the switch. Distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Pop!_OS are designed for everyone, with intuitive interfaces and... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
There's a great add-on called... ClassicShell http://classicshell.net/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
Windows Classic Shell is what I have used for over a decade. It brings back the old start menu and can be customized. Source: over 3 years ago
ClassicShell is no longer being developed. OpenShell succeeded it. (c.f., http://classicshell.net/). Source: almost 4 years ago
When comparing Ubuntu and Classic Shell, you can also consider the following products.

Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.
Compare Linux Mint to Ubuntu or Classic Shell:

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.
Compare Fences to Ubuntu or Classic Shell:

Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.
Compare Fedora to Ubuntu or Classic Shell:

Start Menu X with Start Button. Power users know how inconvenient and time-consuming it is to launch programs from the system menu.
Compare Start Menu X to Ubuntu or Classic Shell:

You've reached the website for Arch Linux, a lightweight and flexible Linux® distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. Currently we have official packages optimized for the x86-64 architecture.
Compare Arch Linux to Ubuntu or Classic Shell:

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!
Compare Start Menu Reviver to Ubuntu or Classic Shell: