Classic Shell for Windows 8

[Ivo]

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

 

[lch41]

thanks works great

 

[Michael]

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

 

[SIW2]

Thanks, I will have a look.

Another one that that works well is Start Menu 7

I am not keen on Vistart - perhaps the developer will improve it.

Strange posts atm

 

[GMan]

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

 

[lehnerus2000]

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.

 

[SIW2]

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:

 

[Ivo]

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

 

[SIW2]

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.

 

[Ivo]

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"

 

[SIW2]

Thanks Ivo - working fine now.

 

[Vince53]

Ivo, you're a junior genius! The software works great, installed easily, and heavily improves the Win 8 classic desktop.

 

[GMan]

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.

 

[Vince53]

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.

 

[GMan]

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.

 

[Ivo]

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.

 

[GMan]

Ivo, are you the developer?

 

[Ivo]

Yes, yes I am. For some reason my pic is not showing on this forum like it did on sevenforums.

 

[GMan]

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

 

[Vince53]

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.