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Editors’ Review
Classic Shell is a free utility that restores familiar interface elements, traditional navigation features in File Explorer, and old-style functions in Internet Explorer. It includes Classic Start Menu, Classic Explorer, and Classic IE, each with numerous configuration tools, such as skins, toolbars, and menu behaviors, allowing you to customize the operating system's appearance and functionality without altering core functionality.
It's essential to note that the original Classic Shell project is no longer in active development; Open-Shell is now maintained by the community. The community-led effort ensures that these classic features remain accessible and functional on modern versions of the OS.
Windows UI revamp
Classic Shell’s core feature is its Classic Start Menu, which can replicate several older layouts, including those from Windows XP and Windows 7. You can switch between styles, add custom links, and use built-in search filters. The configuration utility offers extensive design control, allowing menu skins, shortcuts to be pinned, and adjustable behaviors such as hover delay and keyboard shortcuts. However, it’s limited to cosmetic and UI functions.
Classic Explorer integrates into Windows File Explorer by adding a customizable toolbar and status bar. It restores navigation features, including the up button, display of the current folder path, and sorting by extension. An optional setup feature provides a customizable toolbar with rearrangeable buttons for common commands, tooltips for descriptions, and the ability to redefine the navigation pane's default behavior. These features enable a highly personalized approach to file management.
Classic IE modifies the browser to restore the removed title bar and status features. It displays the page title in the window's top bar and re-enables load progress and security zone info in the status bar. The Classic IE module, which can be toggled in settings or uninstalled, has a minimal feature set compared to modern plugins. The module restores a traditional layout for a more familiar browsing session.
Pros
- Customizable Start Menu with multiple styles
- Adds toolbar and status options in Explorer
- Brings back classic Internet Explorer features
- Modular setup with optional components
Cons
- Limited to cosmetic and UI functions
Bottom Line
Retro revival
Classic Shell restores older operating system features without modifying the system’s core components. Its strength lies in offering modular control over menus and file views that mimic the legacy OS. However, this tool is limited to cosmetic and UI functions. Despite being dated and without new capabilities, the software remains functional for restoring a retro interface and Start Menu behavior.
What’s new in version 4.3.1
- Bug fixes related to menu skin rendering and search
Used Classic Shell for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.
