Classic Shell for Windows 8

[Mustang]

I was previously using Ex7ForW8 which is free, but imports Explorer7 files from Win7. However, after M$ updates came out, programs were taking 30 - 40 seconds to open from desktop compared to snap open from Modern Start screen.

When I uninstalled Ex7ForW8 programs opened normally from desktop. So anted up $3 and got StartIsBack which is identical to Win7 but running off Explorer 8.

Cheers mate :thumb: Have a good un!

ps If you ever feel like it, I'd be interested to know when you set up a new installation for someone:

1. What you switch off? I normally switch off System Restore, all auto messages to M$ like error reporting, etc, ????

2. How you clean your PC after it's accumulated junk over a period of time ... things like registry clean, left over file fragments, run anti-malware apps, system file check, etc.

How do you stop such persons including unwanted stuff when they get updates that ask you to include add ons, etc.

 

[junglee]

Nothing like this. And it is donation-ware

 

[AzureHeir]

Whoah, How interesting...
I'll Try it~

 

[Ivo]

The new version of Classic Shell 3.6.6 was just released. It adds a new setting to disable the taskbar transparency, improves compatibility with Windows Blue, and fixes some bugs.

Download it from here: Welcome to Classic Shell

 

[Clint]

The new version of Classic Shell 3.6.6 was just released. It adds a new setting to disable the taskbar transparency, improves compatibility with Windows Blue, and fixes some bugs.

Download it from here: Welcome to Classic Shell

Just installed it. Now my status bar Is black. How do I change it?

 

[Clint]

Maybe that's the task bar.

 

[Ivo]

You probably disabled the taskbar transparency. It is the last setting in the Start Button tab.

 

[Clint]

You probably disabled the taskbar transparency. It is the last setting in the Start Button tab.

Thanks Ivo for the reply. It was not disabled, but when I checked disable, It fixed it. Thanks. By the way. Great program. I couldn't do without it.

Clint

 

[Ivo]

Hm, that's weird. What version of Windows are you using? Do you have a custom theme?

 

[junglee]

Thank you for sharing this info.

The new version of Classic Shell 3.6.6 was just released. It adds a new setting to disable the taskbar transparency, improves compatibility with Windows Blue, and fixes some bugs.

Download it from here: Welcome to Classic Shell

 

[Clint]

Hm, that's weird. What version of Windows are you using? Do you have a custom theme?

I have version: Windows 8 Pro. with Media Center 64 bit ( 6.2.9200 )

This is the theme I'm using.

 

[Ivo]

Why is the text on the taskbar black? I can't get black text even if I set the window color to be white.

 

[Clint]

Why is the text on the taskbar black? I can't get black text even if I set the window color to be white.

I don't know. It's been that way since I chose this theme. But I like it.

 

[Ivo]

Is there more to the theme than simply changing the background color to blue and the window color to gray? I can't replicate the same look as your screenshot.

Can you please attach your theme here? Right-click on it and select "Save theme for sharing".

 

[Clint]

Is there more to the theme than simply changing the background color to blue and the window color to gray? I can't replicate the same look as your screenshot.

Can you please attach your theme here? Right-click on it and select "Save theme for sharing".

I think that's all I did. I tried to up load the theme file. It said it was an invalid file type. Any ideas how to upload it?

 

[Ivo]

You can zip it and attach it, or email to classicshell@ibeltchev.com

 

[Clint]

Here's the zip file.

 

[Ivo]

Looks like your theme is based on aero lite. Since the taskbar is always opaque, the setting doesn't quite work.
I will have to find a way to detect that theme and fix the setting.

 

[Clint]

Looks like your theme is based on aero lite. Since the taskbar is always opaque, the setting doesn't quite work.
I will have to find a way to detect that theme and fix the setting.

It works fine for me now. I like it.

 

[Hopachi]

Why is the text on the taskbar black? I can't get black text even if I set the window color to be white.

If no modified system files are used:
That is AeroLite theme.

You can switch it on or off manually by first saving your theme and then edit the *.theme (you may need to extract the *.deskthemepack or *.themepack file with 7-Zip first).

This is default to any theme:

[VisualStyles]
Path=%SystemRoot%\resources\themes\Aero\Aero.msstyles

The taskbar text is White here.

And this is aerolite:

[VisualStyles]
Path=%SystemRoot%\resources\themes\Aero\AeroLite.msstyles

The taskbar text is Black here.

Save the changes and reapply the theme.
This works on Win8 only.

That's all.

EDIT: I see I posted too late about aerolite.
But I hope Classic Shell will recognize the theme since some of us like it. :thumb: