Classic Shell for Windows 8

[Dark Rider]

It's Great to see there are so many apps that you can use to "get rid" of the ugly useless metro style interface. I knew about ViStart and searched this forum just in hopes of finding more.. Good Thread! I'd star and flag you Ivo but this isn't AboveTopSecret.com. LOL

I think in time all the nasty things about Windows 8 that people don't like will be modded out of it by the Windows fans. So far, I've found very few people that like the user interface in Win 8.

Hey.. I just found out there is a registry hack to get your start orb back too ! You don't ever have to see Metro again. How to get a Windows 7 start menu in Windows 8 | Geek.com

 

[Ivo]

The registry hack does not work. It was only for the Developer Preview version from last year. Ever since the Consumer Preview in February it doesn't work no more.

 

[Dark Rider]

Oh I see.. Thanks Ivo. Is there another way to pybass the metro screen and go directly to the desktop with your chosen start orb? A registry hack perhaps? It's kinda of a drag having to see that ugly thing first before you can go to the desktop.

Ya know.. I propose there be a thread here to make all these changes to Win 8 for people who really can't stand the way it is now.. turning it back in to an OS that has the functionality of windows 7 and none of the new windows 8 changes that people don't like. The start orb is awesome but i'm sure there are many other things that need to be tweaked. It could be called the Make windows 8 more user friendly thread LOL. I do see some benefits to Metro and the other changes if you have a touch screen or if you have to use the windows phone compatibility resources that's build in to windows 8 - but for desktop users who don't need them, those things just get in the way of user experience.

 

[Ivo]

My limited tests show that Start8 and Classic Shell can run side by side. The Classic Shell orb will appear on top of the Start8 orb.
You can make a fully transparent button image for Start8, and then you won't see it at all.

 

[Dark Rider]

My limited tests show that Start8 and Classic Shell can run side by side. The Classic Shell orb will appear on top of the Start8 orb.
You can make a fully transparent button image for Start8, and then you won't see it at all.

Either that doesn't really answer my question or I'm not understanding your answer. In my Win 8 RTM I see the metro screen first, before I can go to the desktop.. I have to click on a "desktop" metro button/icon to get to the desktop - an extra step i'd rather avoid.

I've looked at Stardock Start8 and I hate it. It has that same metro style. It's just as ugly, as is the new Internet Explorer interface. It's like Microsoft said, " Hey, lets get rid of the nice tool bars and make them plain and ugly to give a performance boost and not give a crap about how they look. "

 

[Ivo]

Both Classic Shell and Start8 have the option to go to the Desktop automatically. You can try both, and see which works for you.

If it turns out Start8 works for you but not Classic Shell, and you want to use the Classic Shell orb and start menu, you can install both programs and only use Start8 for its feature to get to the Desktop and not for its start menu.

 

[Dark Rider]

Both Classic Shell and Start8 have the option to go to the Desktop automatically. You can try both, and see which works for you.

If it turns out Start8 works for you but not Classic Shell, and you want to use the Classic Shell orb and start menu, you can install both programs and only use Start8 for its feature to get to the Desktop and not for its start menu.

Oh, I got you.. Thanks. I didn't actually try Classic Shell. As I said in my first post above. I tried VIStart Menu. Didn't know Classic Start had this feature built in. Awesome.

 

[Ivo]

Ah, sorry. I got confused because there's another thread going on on a similar topic: http://www.eightforums.com/customization/8235-log-screen-bypass-having-press-picture-2.html
And this is a thread about Classic Shell after all

 

[Dark Rider]

Hey.. I didn't realize it at first but your the guy who made Classic Shell aren't ya? I'll confirm too that Classic Shell works fine on Windows 8 RTM.

I'm glad it has skins for different OS's. My wife has refused to switch from XP to Win 7 because she can't stand the Win 7 start interface. I've been fighting with her to upgrade for two years. I used Classic Shell running in Windows 8 to show her how it can resemble and mimic the XP start interface. She was impressed. Now, I just may get her to switch.

 

[xpclient]

Indeed CS and Start8 can run simultaneously. One advantage Start8 has is showing the Desktop faster if you are logging in manually. But if you use autologon, Start8 fails to show the desktop sometimes as it logs on even before its service has started. CS is more reliable at always showing the desktop in case Start8 fails to do so.

 

[Ivo]

Hey, everybody. I just released Classic Shell v3.6.0. Here's what's new:

• Windows 8 is now officially supported
• Added more customization settings for the start button
• Added a setting to disable all Metro hot corners
• Improved the initial setup of the start menu
• Added support for split menu buttons
• Improved the usage of the Aero colorization in skins
• Fixed some bugs found in the previous version

Download it from here: Welcome to Classic Shell

 

[enotar]

thank you

 

[lehnerus2000]

Thanks Ivo

Hey, everybody. I just released Classic Shell v3.6.0. Here's what's new:

• Windows 8 is now officially supported
• Added more customization settings for the start button
• Added a setting to disable all Metro hot corners
• Improved the initial setup of the start menu
• Added support for split menu buttons
• Improved the usage of the Aero colorization in skins
• Fixed some bugs found in the previous version

Download it from here: Welcome to Classic Shell

Keep up the good work. :thumb:

 

[azasadny]

Thanks for the good info! I'll try to get used to the new interface before I revert to this, but I don't know how long my patience will last!

 

[Atari800xl]

Congratulations on being mentioned in the German magazine c't (October 22, 2012)! (Only the best computermagazine in the world!)
A few quotes (translated):
"There are several to choose from, but Classic Shell is the only convincing startmenu alternative"
"It might not resemble the original Windows 7 menu as closely as the competition, but has a lot more functions, that can be finetuned with countless settings"

 

[Ivo]

Hello, everyone!

The latest Classic Shell 3.6.2 was just released. The main new features are the support for jumplists and the ability to view, search, and launch Metro apps.
There are also many other small tweaks and bugfixes.

Download it from here: Welcome to Classic Shell

 

[wobly]

I am impressed with how well Classic Shell integrates into the Windows 8 system. Good job!

 

[robinb9]

Ivo, your program is excellant
robin

 

[LittleJay]

IMO Classic Shell is an awesome addition to Windows 8 Ivo! Thanks for making it possible!

 

[Mark2012]

yeah i hated vistart but classic shell seems to do everything i want its good to have start orb again