Classic Shell for Windows 8

Ivo

New Member
Power User
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158
Hi, everybody

The latest version of Classic Shell supports Windows 8 Consumer Preview. The new features are:

  • A customizable start button. You can pick from Classic, Aero and Metro styles, or select your own image. Unlike Start8 and ViStart, this is a real start button. It can extend beyond the taskbar, and works well for any taskbar position, even in auto-hide mode.
  • A new Metro skin for the start menu. For people who like Metro, but not the start screen.
  • All settings are updated to reflect the changes to Windows 8. For example the status bar settings are gone, because the status bar in Win8’s Explorer can’t be customized.
  • The check for new version is more responsive and can be disabled during installation.

Download it from here:
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

Ivo
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Thanks! It does work great and I love the familiarity. I just un-installed Visistart
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Consumer Preview
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite A105-S4397
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    Intel Centrino Duo 1.73 GHz T2250 2MB L2, 533MHz FSB
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    Mobile Intel 945GM Express
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    Intel GMA 950
    Sound Card
    On-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.4" built-in
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    160GB 5400RPM Hitachi
    PSU
    15VDC@5A or 12VDC at 6600MaH Li
    Case
    Plastic
    Cooling
    Smallest fan on the planet
    Keyboard
    Querty Eng/German
    Mouse
    Yes, but I've set traps
    Internet Speed
    10M
    Other Info
    Clean install from a corrupted and virus laden Vista original factory install on this ancient laptop.

    Runs like it was at Indy!
Now if I controlled MS, I would see this and say "Users are gonna do it anyhow. Let's make it native."
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8250 x86 + 7 SP1 x86 + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x86
    CPU
    P4 3.4 GHz HT
    Motherboard
    MSI-7211
    Memory
    OCZ 2 GB DDR @ 400 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS AGP HD 3850 Turbo Ice-Q
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer x223w
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
    PSU
    300W generic
    Case
    Cybertron
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up
Now if I controlled MS, I would see this and say "Users are gonna do it anyhow. Let's make it native."

I suspect that if you (or I) controlled MS, we wouldn't have removed the functions in the first place. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
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    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
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    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
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    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
I just had a look at Classic Menu.

The trouble with it - you can't add custom items.

Unless I missed that option?

Start menu 7 allows you to add or remove any item you want to the menu.

I want several items in there - e.g. Computer as a link, Recent Items as a link, Downloads as a link.

Can't see how to do that with Classic start menu.

Like this:


AERO.jpg
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Of course you can add custom items. Go to the "Customize Start Menu" tab in the settings (if you don't see it, click on All Settings at the bottom). Then use drag/drop to assemble or rearrange your menu. Double-click on an item to customize it even further - change icon, look, behavior.

Look here for possible customizations: Classic Shell: Gallery
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Great - how do I add these items to the menu as links - like the screenshot above?

Computer as a link, Recent Items as a link, Downloads as a link.

It is not obvious to me how to do that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Scroll all the way to the bottom in the right column.
Grab the "Custom Command" item and drag it into the menu where you want the Computer item to be.
Double-click on the new item.
Use the Link dropdown to select Computer (it is the second item in the list).
This will make an expandable menu for Computer. If you want it to be just a link and not expandable, select the "Don't Expand" checkbox.
Repeat for Recent Items and Downloads.
Note: "Recent Items" is not in the dropdown. You will need to paste the text "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I use the veritical superbar on the right side of my screen. Just installed this and it's cool.

A positive side effect is that my Start button is top right of the screen, how I always wanted it and used it anyhow.

The Win 8 Metro Start is still available to me to use if I ever want it. 2 for the price of 1.
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8250 x86 + 7 SP1 x86 + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x86
    CPU
    P4 3.4 GHz HT
    Motherboard
    MSI-7211
    Memory
    OCZ 2 GB DDR @ 400 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS AGP HD 3850 Turbo Ice-Q
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer x223w
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
    PSU
    300W generic
    Case
    Cybertron
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up
Hold on, Folks, we have a problem. After installing the Start button, the Windows key no longer takes me to the Metro screen. It takes me to the Start button. I am able to "grab" the top of the desktop, pull it down, shove the desktop to the left, and the Metro re-appears.

Unless I'm doing something wrong, this is too complicated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
heh heh I think the whole design of this is intentionally to rid of Metro being seen ever.

But you can right click the Start orb and choose settings | basic settings tab. Look at the mojo magic there. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8250 x86 + 7 SP1 x86 + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x86
    CPU
    P4 3.4 GHz HT
    Motherboard
    MSI-7211
    Memory
    OCZ 2 GB DDR @ 400 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS AGP HD 3850 Turbo Ice-Q
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer x223w
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
    PSU
    300W generic
    Case
    Cybertron
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up
Classic Shell is NOT a start button. It is a complete replacement for the start menu. By default Win opens the classic start menu and Shift+Win opens the start screen.

You can of course configure it so that the Win key goes to the start screen instead. Go to the settings and look at the Controls tab. You will see that by default "Windows key opens:" is set to Classic Start Menu. Change it to Windows Start Menu instead.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Ivo, are you the developer?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8250 x86 + 7 SP1 x86 + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x86
    CPU
    P4 3.4 GHz HT
    Motherboard
    MSI-7211
    Memory
    OCZ 2 GB DDR @ 400 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS AGP HD 3850 Turbo Ice-Q
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer x223w
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
    PSU
    300W generic
    Case
    Cybertron
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up
Yes, yes I am. For some reason my pic is not showing on this forum like it did on sevenforums.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Thank you for your contributions to the site and to my desktop! Excellent job if I may say so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8250 x86 + 7 SP1 x86 + Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x86
    CPU
    P4 3.4 GHz HT
    Motherboard
    MSI-7211
    Memory
    OCZ 2 GB DDR @ 400 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    HIS AGP HD 3850 Turbo Ice-Q
    Sound Card
    MOTU Traveler firewire interface
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer x223w
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
    PSU
    300W generic
    Case
    Cybertron
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up
Problem solved, Ivo. I gave you some rep points earlier. I'm sure you're aware that people have different ways of doing things. I am steadily getting used to Metro and liking it better, but I really wanted to have the Start button on the traditional desktop. I use them about equally now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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