Classic Start Menu

Classic Start Menu lets you use the classic start menu and other features from Windows XP/2000/Vista in your new Windows 7.

It will also offer you to install Classic Explorer, an application that adds a customizable toolbar to your Windows IE with lots of customizable features. This way, if you do not feel at home with Windows 7’s start menu, you can still use this new operating system in the old way. You will recover some missed features, like the "Run" command, or the "Programs" entry. Classic Shell does not disable the original start menu – you will still be able to invoke it by pointing to the Start Button and clicking on it while pressing the Shift key.

The program has several settings that can be changed to customize the start menu appearance – for instance, applying different skins and icons.

The Windows Explorer toolbar will not appear instantly. You must follow some simple steps that are fully explained on the developer’s site. In the Classic Explorer settings, you will be able to choose the pane style, to make your buttons fade, to change their size, etc.

“If you have used the start menu in older versions of Windows you’ll feel right at home”

Features:

• Drag and drop to let you organize your applications.
• Options to show Favorites, expand Control Panel, etc.
• Shows recently used documents. The number of documents to display is customizable.
• Translated in 35 languages, including Right-to-left support for Arabic and Hebrew.
• Does not disable the original start menu in Windows. You can access it by Shift+Click on the start button.
• Right-click on an item in the menu to delete, rename, sort, or perform other tasks.
• Available for 32 and 64-bit operating systems.
• Has support for skins, including additional 3rd party skins.
• Fully customizable in both looks and functionality.
• Support for Microsoft’s Active Accessibility.
• Converts the “All Programs” button in the Windows menu into a cascading menu.
• And last but not least – it's FREE!

Additional Skins for the Start Menu:

Classic Shell comes with a limited set of skins for the start menu. More skins are available for download:

• clrSharp – Classic Shell Skin by ~JohnEdwa on deviantART
• clrSharp2 – another skin by ~JohnEdwa
• Windows 7 Basic with Tahoma font by mickyfoley

After you download the new skins, place the .skin files in the Classic Shell\Skins folder. Then open the start menu settings and select your new skin. Don't forget to click on the "About This Skin" button to see who the authors are and what they have to say. You can create your own skin. Read the tutorial here for how to do it.

Note:

Some skins for the start menu require Aero theme to be enabled. Others require at least Basic theme.

"Please feel free to submit your comment"

OS Requirements:

Win Server 2008/

Vista/Win 7

(32-bit and 64-bit)