VS Code VS Classic Shell

Compare VS Code VS Classic Shell and see what are their differences

Rating: 5.0 · 1 review
Pricing: Open source

Rating: 0 reviews
Pricing: Open source

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Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, VS Code seems to be a lot more popular than Classic Shell. While we know about 1221 links to VS Code, we've tracked only 18 mentions of Classic Shell.

social mentions: 1,221 vs 18
Text Editors popularity: 100% vs 0%
alternatives listed: 240+ vs 54

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

	VS Code	Classic Shell
Website	code.visualstudio.com	classicshell.net
Pricing	Open source	Open source
Company	Startup from the United States	—
Listed in	Text Editors IDE Software Development Developer Tools +1	OS & Utilities Note Taking LMS Bookmarks +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

VS Code 8 features

Classic Shell 5 features

Cross-platform
VS Code works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent development experience across different operating systems.
Extensibility
A vast library of extensions allows users to add functionalities like debuggers, linters, and themes, making it highly customizable.
Integrated Git
Built-in Git integration makes it easy to manage version control tasks directly within the editor.
Performance
Lightweight compared to full-fledged IDEs, ensuring good performance even on systems with limited resources.
IntelliSense
Advanced code completion and refactoring tools help improve coding efficiency and reduce errors.
Community Support
A strong and active community provides extensive support, tutorials, and third-party extensions.
Debugging
Robust debugging tools for various languages and frameworks are available out of the box.
Free and Open-Source
VS Code is completely free to use and open-source, which is beneficial for both individual developers and organizations.

Possible disadvantages

Limited IDE Features
While extensible, it may lack some advanced features found in dedicated IDEs out of the box.
Extension Management
Managing and configuring a large number of extensions can become cumbersome and sometimes lead to performance issues.
Learning Curve
Although user-friendly, it has a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its numerous features and customization options.
Memory Usage
Despite being lightweight, it can consume a significant amount of memory when multiple extensions are installed.
Update Frequency
Frequent updates may sometimes introduce bugs or require users to adapt to new changes quickly.
Internet Dependency
Some features and extensions may require an internet connection to function optimally.
Telemetry
By default, VS Code collects usage data, which might be a concern for users sensitive about data privacy. However, this can be disabled.

Customizable Start Menu
Classic Shell allows users to customize the Start Menu to a significant extent, including changing the style and appearance to resemble earlier versions of Windows (XP, Vista, and 7).
Performance Enhancements
The software is lightweight and generally does not consume significant system resources, making it a performance-efficient alternative to the default Start Menu.
Enhanced Usability
It brings back certain features and functionalities that are familiar and preferred by users, enhancing overall user experience, particularly for those transitioning from older Windows versions.
Frequent Updates
Classic Shell is regularly updated to ensure compatibility with new Windows updates, providing a reliable solution over time.
Free of Cost
Classic Shell is available for free, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to improve their Start Menu without financial investment.

Possible disadvantages

Limited Official Support
As Classic Shell is developed primarily by volunteers, official support may be limited compared to commercial software.
Complexity
The extensive customization options might be overwhelming for less tech-savvy users, leading to a steeper learning curve.
Potential Compatibility Issues
Although updated frequently, there can be temporary compatibility issues with the latest Windows updates, requiring users to wait for the next release.
Lack of Modern Features
Classic Shell aims to replicate older versions of Windows Start Menus, which might lack some of the modern features available in the default Windows Start Menu.
Discontinued Development
Official development of Classic Shell was discontinued in December 2017. While community forks like Open-Shell continue the project, the lack of official development could be seen as a disadvantage.

Analysis

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

VS Code

Classic Shell

Overall verdict

Yes, VS Code is generally considered a good choice for developers due to its flexibility, efficiency, and strong community support. It is lightweight, fast, and user-friendly, catering to both novice and experienced developers.

Why this product is good

VS Code, developed by Microsoft, is a widely popular and versatile code editor. It offers a robust extension ecosystem, which allows developers to customize their workflow and coding environment extensively. Additionally, VS Code supports numerous programming languages right out of the box and provides features like IntelliSense, debugging, Git integration, and a built-in terminal, making it a powerful tool for developers.

Recommended for

Web developers looking for a comprehensive yet lightweight coding environment.
Software developers who need an editor with extensive language support and customization options.
Beginner programmers who would benefit from a feature-rich editor that can grow with their skills.
Developers interested in an open-source tool with continuous updates and community-driven enhancements.

Overall verdict

Overall, Classic Shell is considered a good tool for those who want to enhance their Windows experience with more customization and a nod to classic Windows aesthetics. It's reliable, widely used, and addresses some of the usability concerns people have with newer Windows versions.

Why this product is good

Classic Shell is popular among users who prefer the familiar interface and user experience of older versions of Windows, particularly Windows 7 or even XP. It offers customization options for the Start Menu, Explorer, and other UI elements, allowing a more personalized and comfortable experience for those who are not fond of newer Windows UI changes.

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

VS Code 2 videos + Add

Classic Shell 3 videos + Add

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100

VS Code

Classic Shell

100% 100%

Text Editors

0% 0%

Note Taking

100% 100%

IDE

0% 0%

LMS

100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using VS Code and Classic Shell. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

VS Code 5.0 · 1 review

Classic Shell no reviews yet

Choosing the Best SQL Server Tool in 2026
www.linkedin.com · Aug 2026

If you're a Windows DBA who mainly manages servers, SSMS is still hard to beat. SQL Server Data Tools makes the most sense for teams building database projects in Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL...
Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
convesio.com · Nov 2023

Visual Studio Code, commonly known as VS Code, is a powerful and extensible code editor developed by Microsoft. With its rich ecosystem of extensions and features like IntelliSense, debugging, and Git integration, VS...
13 Best Text Editors to Speed up Your Workflow
kinsta.com · Sep 2023

Finally, the Visual Studio Code website has numerous tabs for you to learn about the software. The documentation page walks you through steps like the setup and working with different languages. You’re also able to...

We have no reviews of Classic Shell yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

VS Code 1221 mentions

Classic Shell 18 mentions

I got tired of switching apps to work with PDFs, so I built a VS Code extension
VS Code is where I do most of my work, but whenever I needed to properly review a PDF, I kept switching to another app just to highlight a passage, leave a comment, or sign a document. - Source: dev.to / 2 days ago
API Workflow Automation Vercel: Connect Document Processing to Your Tech Stack
Your editor of choice works fine here. VS Code with the TypeScript extension catches type errors early, and WebStorm and Sublime Text are solid alternatives. Install jq if you want to inspect API responses from the terminal without... - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
How to Install Python 3.14 on Mac and Set Up VS Code (2026 Beginner Guide)
Download VS Code from code.visualstudio.com, unzip it, and drag it into Applications. Running it from the Downloads folder causes update problems later. - Source: dev.to / 13 days ago

Scrollbars Are Becoming a Problem
There's a great add-on called... ClassicShell http://classicshell.net/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years 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: over 3 years 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: almost 4 years ago

Alternatives to VS Code and Classic Shell

When comparing VS Code and Classic Shell, you can also consider the following products.

Sublime Text
Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features. Fully customizable with macros, and syntax highlighting for most major languages.

Compare Sublime Text to VS Code or Classic Shell:

Sublime Text vs VS Code Sublime Text vs Classic Shell
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.

Compare Fences to VS Code or Classic Shell:

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Vim
Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

Compare Vim to VS Code or Classic Shell:

Vim vs VS Code Vim vs Classic Shell
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.

Compare Start Menu X to VS Code or Classic Shell:

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Notepad++
A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.

Compare Notepad++ to VS Code or Classic Shell:

Notepad++ vs VS Code Notepad++ vs Classic Shell
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!

Compare Start Menu Reviver to VS Code or Classic Shell:

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