Classic Shell for Windows 8.1 / Win 7 lookalike

S

Syd

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Location
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I never like upgrades, so am planning on a format (Samsung SSD) and a clean install of Win 8.1 from the image I downloaded.

However I have one (biggish to me) concern, I still like to use a program called (Ex7forW8exe) this gives me the Windows 7 lookalike/classic shell, Start button and Start Menu etc, so can I please ask, does anyone know what program works with Windows 8.1 ?

Thanks in advance
Syd
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro & Windows 7 X64 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    i7 2600k Clocked at 45 + Noctua DH-14 Cooler
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P67a-UD4-B3
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X 8GB 1600mhz Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R9 280X 3G Gaming
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD X3
    PSU
    Corsair 650W
    Case
    Lian-Li
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Gigabyte
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    M/S Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 consumer 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire M5 481PT-6644
    CPU
    Intel Core I5
    Memory
    6 GB
    Hard Drives
    Spinning/SSD hybrid 500GB/20GB
    Mouse
    ELAN Trackpad
    Internet Speed
    18mbs/5mbs
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Syd said:
I never like upgrades, so am planning on a format (Samsung SSD) and a clean install of Win 8.1 from the image I downloaded.

However I have one (biggish to me) concern, I still like to use a program called (Ex7forW8exe) this gives me the Windows 7 lookalike/classic shell, Start button and Start Menu etc, so can I please ask, does anyone know what program works with Windows 8.1 ?

Thanks in advance
Syd
Click to expand...

I believe not - I think work on it was discontinued some time ago. However, the same author develops StartIsBack, which I find the best of all the Start Menu replacements. StartIsBack Plus works with Windows 8.1.

There is a free 30 day full-featured trial - I believe the purchase price is a whopping $3.00. Anyway, give it a try.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Compac Presario SR5518F
    CPU
    Dual Pentium E2180 (2 GHz)
    Motherboard
    MS-7525 (Boston)
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 8500 GT

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Latest Classic Shell and Start8 1.21+ work fine with W8.1

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
Syd said:
I never like upgrades, so am planning on a format (Samsung SSD) and a clean install of Win 8.1 from the image I downloaded.

However I have one (biggish to me) concern, I still like to use a program called (Ex7forW8exe) this gives me the Windows 7 lookalike/classic shell, Start button and Start Menu etc, so can I please ask, does anyone know what program works with Windows 8.1 ?

Thanks in advance
Syd
Click to expand...

I too have clean installed Win8.1 Pro 64, the very first thing I did was install Classic Shell. De Activate all the corner hot spots. Set up my desktop as it was in Win 7 HP 64. Set up to boot straight to log in on my desktop. It took me a couple of days to find most of the call out for the APPS, redirecting them to my installed software. IE PDF files open on my desktop with Acrobat 9.1 not the * app reader taking up my whole desktop. I have to admit it did take awhile to redirect the default programs to open my installed software. I can still access the new Task Manager. I have my desktop Gadgets running on my desktop. basically I have my more or less Win7 desktop. I haven't see the 8 start up screen app crap, I haven't seen the lock screen for days now. And it free. I think the main differences between the Startback8 and others is the range of configurations. Classic Shell has tons of options that include IE adjustments Folder adjustments. I only think that, I haven't tried any of the others. last year about this time I bought my wife a HP All In One Win 8 Pro Touch Screen. She went nuts with the new interface so I put classic Shell on for her. I left her booting normal for 8, showed her how to get to her desktop. She is very low tech. Over the last rear she has started using some of the apps and has learned some of the touch screen stuff. She Never was a multitasker she always uses one window at a time full screen. So this wasn't that much of a change for here.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Ex7forW8 - That's great! I wish I knew about that sooner, it totally blocks off Metro completely and it raised my experience index from 3.4 to 3.5, and my RAM use is WAY down. Oh WOW, my system is almost as fast as my Media System now... Amazing.

THANX A lot, Syd!

This don't work for 8.1? It's a shame. Is there a developer page for this? I see it all over, but no main website.

Damn this is SO GOOD! I got StartisBack too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Thanks Guys
I have gone down the Classic shell route, works a treat
Syd
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro & Windows 7 X64 Ultimate
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    i7 2600k Clocked at 45 + Noctua DH-14 Cooler
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte P67a-UD4-B3
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X 8GB 1600mhz Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R9 280X 3G Gaming
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD X3
    PSU
    Corsair 650W
    Case
    Lian-Li
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Gigabyte
    Browser
    IE
    Antivirus
    M/S Defender
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