Classic Shell vs StartIsBack

Compare features, pricing, and capabilities to find which solution is best for your needs.

Classic Shell icon

Classic Shell

Classic Shell is a highly customizable and free utility designed to bring the classic Windows Start menu functionality back to newer versions of Windows, alongside enhancing various other elements of the user interface like the taskbar and file explorer. by Ivo Beltchev

Free
Platforms: Windows
Screenshots:
VS
StartIsBack icon

StartIsBack

StartIsBack brings back the familiar look and feel of the Windows 7 Start Menu to Windows 10 and Windows 8, offering extensive customization options and performance enhancements.

Commercial
Platforms: Windows
Screenshots:

Comparison Summary

Classic Shell and StartIsBack are both powerful solutions in their space. Classic Shell offers classic shell is a highly customizable and free utility designed to bring the classic windows start menu functionality back to newer versions of windows, alongside enhancing various other elements of the user interface like the taskbar and file explorer., while StartIsBack provides startisback brings back the familiar look and feel of the windows 7 start menu to windows 10 and windows 8, offering extensive customization options and performance enhancements.. Compare their features and pricing to find the best match for your needs.

Pros & Cons Comparison

Classic Shell

Classic Shell

Analysis & Comparison

Advantages

Restores classic Start menu with extensive customization.
Enhances File Explorer with useful features.
Lightweight and does not impact system performance.
Free to use with no advertisements.
Supports multiple languages.

Limitations

Development has ceased, meaning no future updates or compatibility fixes.
May not be fully compatible with all future Windows updates.
Requires a degree of user configuration to achieve desired results.
StartIsBack

StartIsBack

Analysis & Comparison

Advantages

Restores the familiar and efficient Windows 7 Start Menu.
Offers extensive customization options for appearance and behavior.
Lightweight and does not impact system performance.
Allows booting directly to the desktop on Windows 8/8.1.
Easy to install and configure.

Limitations

Primarily benefits users dissatisfied with the default Windows Start Menu.
Some advanced Windows 10 features might not be directly accessible through the restored menu.

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