If you use a newer version of Windows but miss the look of earlier Windows operating systems like Vista or XP, Classic Shell might be exactly what you need. Windows 7, 8, and 10 have gained a reputation for being hard to navigate. Many loyal Windows users miss the classic Windows setup where everything was easy to overview and vertically listed, so you could simply scroll through the Start menu to find what you wanted. In the newer versions of Windows it can quickly feel like software, games, and utilities are scattered everywhere, and you have to guess where exactly what you’re looking for is located.
Now you can keep the strengths of the newer operating systems while changing only the visual design. With Classic Shell, you can tailor the system’s look so it fits your exact needs. In Classic Shell, you can choose from several classic Windows designs like XP and Vista, and further personalize them with colors and additional styles. You can also mix different designs, taking the elements you miss from Vista and pairing them with functions from XP alongside your current Windows 7, 8, or 10 layout.
Classic Shell is completely free, which makes it an extremely popular and widely used piece of software that has been downloaded hundreds of millions of times since its first release in 2009.
The classic Start menu
The biggest change Windows 7 brought was the overhaul of the classic Start menu, which had been part of Windows all the way from Windows 95 through Windows Vista. You can now get it back and use it on Windows 7, 8, or 10, taking advantage of features like pinning favorites, expanding Control Panel, or the classic drag-and-drop function to organize your programs the way you want.
Fast and easy to install
Classic Shell isn’t a large or complex piece of software, even though its purpose is to modify your operating system. It’s an add-on that only changes the visual layer of the OS, so it doesn’t take up much space. That also means it downloads very quickly and is ready to use within seconds.
You don’t need any special skills or computer knowledge to install or use the program. Just download it and then customize your Windows design however you like.
You’ll find Classic Shell’s settings menu in the program’s folder, as shown in the image above.
Personalization
Classic Shell offers many customization options. You can spend a lot of time exploring the selection of skins and optional features.
When you’ve chosen the customizations you want to use, simply click OK and Windows will update with the settings you selected. With the choices made in the GIF above, for example, the Windows Start menu will look like the image below.
Of course, you can also change the language from English to Danish, or to any other language you want your design to use. This is also adjusted in the settings where you personalize your design. There you’ll find a category labeled Language, where you can set the program to whichever language you prefer.
The developer
Classic Shell was developed by Russian developer Ivo Beltchev, who wanted parts of earlier Windows designs integrated into the newest Windows operating system. He released it for free in 2009, after which it gained enormous popularity among Windows users. In 2017, he stopped further development and opened the license so anyone could continue working on it if they wished.
Compatibility
Classic Shell is built to modify exactly the Windows look you want. Naturally, the program was developed to work on all editions of Windows. That includes Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2.
Alternatives
If you’re a Windows 7 user reading this because you want to personalize your Windows theme so it stands out, but you’re not interested in going back to a design from an earlier Windows version, then Windows 7 Only Black might be for you. Windows 7 Only Black is a theme that turns every part of your Windows 7 theme completely black—while still keeping it easy to navigate. It gives your PC a fresh, subtle look that stands out from the crowd. You can find the program right here.
Conclusion
Classic Shell is a completely free program designed to give users of Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 the classic features from Windows Vista and XP that they miss. You can personalize your Start menu so it appears exactly the way you want, and you can modify the entire Windows appearance to restore the features you miss from Vista or XP. You don’t have to choose one design over another—tailor your own using elements from all the Windows designs. The program was created to help those who find the newest versions of Windows cluttered and who miss the simple, easy-to-use features from older versions. It was first released in 2009 and has been continually refined so it’s ready to meet each user’s needs. It’s a small utility that doesn’t take up much space and is easy to use. It takes just a few seconds to install, and then it’s ready to go.
Classic Shell is the tool for anyone who has switched to Windows 7, 8, or 10 but misses the old Windows designs. You can download it for free here.
Download Classic Shell
