Classic shell fixes Windows 8

[Vision33r]

http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

This open source Windows Start Menu shell replacement app *fixes* what some are having an issue with Windows 8 and Server 2012.

Giving the user a choice to what type of start menu to use instead of being forced to use the new Metro or tablet menu.

Once you installed Classic Shell it can be set to automatically launch the Desktop instead of the usual Windows 8 Metro Home screen.

Fully customizeable with themes, menu types, graphic enhancements, etc.

You can choose Vista, 7, or XP style menus. Classic, Aero, or standard.

Here are some screenshots:

XP Shell running on Win8



Win7 shell on Win8



Many different options to choose from and configure.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

sad that it had to come from an outside source

[theevilshiftkey]

Just what the doctor ordered. I wonder if there's a way to still launch the Metro UI if you want after installing that...

[Crass!]

Its going to take some time getting used to it, but I'm ok with the metro interface as long as the explorer interface is readily available. Win+d takes you to the desktop quick enough.

Interesting note - metro is active over rdp as well. THAT may complicate matters somewhat.

[Aonarch]

I work in IT and we have installed 8 on a couple of boxes...

We ALL hate it.

[Vision33r]

Looks like Microsoft MVPs are having problems providing good resolution to complaints about the Metro UI.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...2-1bba4ac9d70b

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...9-08c2f3a6353f


"Windows 7 is good until 2020 so if you do not like the Metro UI, use 7" - Microsoft MVP

[Kar98]

I have five keys for Windows 8, and haven't used a one yet. Played with the public preview for about 45 minutes, and gave up.

[Avus]

I just don't understand why MS like to create inconvenience.. If many users (= CUSTOMERS) want a good old small and nice start menu, why not just give them the choice!!?? Why force your customers have to use a 1920x1200 start menu!? (aka metro) Is this a sign of lack of confidence of their own newly design UI?

As for "Windows 7 is good until 2020 so if you do not like the Metro UI, use 7" - Microsoft MVP, I know this is not from MS itself, but it is still sound stupid. It is like Toyota will make the next Corolla in hybrid only and tell their customer to **** off and keep your old gasoline Corolla if not like.

[robbyb413]

As for "Windows 7 is good until 2020 so if you do not like the Metro UI, use 7" - Microsoft MVP, I know this is not from MS itself, but it is still sound stupid. It is like Toyota will make the next Corolla in hybrid only and tell their customer to **** off and keep your old gasoline Corolla if not like.

I think that statement is funny, because at some point Toyota is going to do something just like that when technology and/or government regulations mean that they have to.

Technology advances. Things change. I'm not an expert in Metro yet, it's got a bit of a learning curve and since I don't use windows frequently I have not had a lot of practice, but I think that (LIke the XP to Vista transition) once people take the energy they spent resisting/complaining and apply that to understanding why the changes were made and giving it an honest shot they'll find it useful.

Think about most computer users you see. Not techy people - I'm not talking about YOU - I'm talking about joe average. There's like 1,000,000 things on their desktop. All the things they run are right there. They're obviously not as attached to the start menu as you or they might think. The case could be made that there is a benefit to just making it so Windows works the way they seem to - by putting all sorts of junk right there in front of their eyes in big icons.

There also seems to be a benefit in getting those people - since they seem to save stuff all willy-nilly on the desktop using "libraries" and such to keep files centrally located, protected, and backed up, so that the user can have a pleasant experience when it comes to quick and easy back up, restoration, and recovery.

Also there is that whole cloud-login thingy they're pushing where your settings and list of installed programs/features/settings/whatever can go where you go, and the new style helps funnel things that way, which again seems like it could be a great benefit to users.

I'm not a MS apologist, I'm a full-time Linux user, rather just trying to look at the "why" in this situation here to see that for the majority of users this change isn't a bad thing. People just get grumpy when things change on them. As shown with the Vista incident if MS educates people on why these changes are happening then the transition to Win8 will be fairly easy on people.

I do see your point of view. Not everyone likes to rip the band-aid right off. The choice of a comfortable start menu/desktop, allowing people to learn the way everything works in the new OS without the added complication of Metro could benefit some. I'm sure MS studied this before they made that call and there were reasons they decided to ship the bike without training wheels. Ultimately that's the price of playing in the Windows (or Apple) world. You don't get choice, you get them making business decisions that impact your experience and you hope for the best. This classic shell tool is a great band-aid to help with that, esp. since you can use it on Win 7 or Win 8. That should help ease the transition for anyone who comes across it and implements it.

[SpiffyGTI]

That's way too easy and logical. God damn you.

But I agree.

[Vision33r]

"It's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them" - Steve Jobs

[robbyb413]

Are you "for" or "against" metro? Steve Jobs would definitely have implemented a drastic change on the level of implementing metro if he felt like it improved OSX, would have cared little about what people wanted or thought, and would force people to come along for the ride and like it. Not sure how to take your usage of that quote.

[codex]

I've been using classic shell on my Win 7 boxes to get back the Up arrow in explorer. I don't usually use the start menu portion, though it looks like I might have to when I finally make the switch to Win 8 (couple of years from now).

[Vision33r]

There are a lot of mixed feelings regarding Windows 8 from businesses, enthusiasts, etc. Windows has become too big to become narrowly focused.

MS is trying to do just that focusing on the mobile devices area with Win8. They feel what they've done so far in the mobile area has not gained any traction so it's time to drive the message home to Windows.

It's a pretty risky move for companies that depend on selling Windows machines such as HP, Acer, Dell, etc. If Win8 doesn't sell it could trigger an exodus of the Windows platform to alternatives such as OS X, Win7(stay legacy), and Chromebook.

The rewards will be enormous for MS if Windows Phone and Tablets gains popularity from it.

I don't like Windows 8 from a product design perspective. It's unpolished, confusing, experimental, and lots of areas unfinished but enabled to compete with Google and Apple.

Just the whole Win8 sign-in experience was a lot more work than getting your Mac and iPhone all setup the 1st time.