If you use the Windows 11 style menu in Start11, it gives the option to remove the recommendation section and arrange the pinned apps into a group. You cannot do this with the start menu that comes with Windows 11. It can also make the Start Menu transparent
Aren't the folders that you can arrange pinned apps into, counting as groups for you? Like on an Android phone, I just drag one app onto another and it creates a group. Which I can then rename.
This is great to know, this was the only thing really stopping from updating to Windows 11. I hate that when I set the behaviour to show more apps than recommended, and I even empty the recommended section it still shows the empty section. It's such a waste of space.
@@xKhaozs what laptop?(brand and model)it is very rare that computer hardware factories make devices that support exclusively a single OS, probably the manufacturer of the laptop have drivers for windows 10 on its page
Open-Shell is in active development, the latest version is 4.4.190 released today. You just have to go to the releases page and you will find it there. The version you installed is the latest non beta release from 2022. Also, Shift+Click brings up the original Windows menu, no need to click on the edge of the menu icon.
@@CyberCPU hello can u help please i have problem when i point on icons on desktop the details not showing like size or video time any fix for this thx
StartAllBack is pretty cool. It adds full dark mode to legacy stuff like the control panel. And it's smaller than Start11 (And you can put folders into the programs section unlike ExplorerPatcher)
The thing with StartAllBack to keep in mind is that it doesn't work with Stardock WindowBlinds. I tried it once and it just keeped crashing the explorer until I stopped either StartAllBack or WindowBlinds.
@@markusTegelane They even said that they wouldn't give StartAllBack compatibility, because they're a competitor. Even though from what I remember, WindowBlinds and StartIsBack were compatible in Windows 10. Seems like a sabotage
Love your channel, been working on computers since windows 3.11. very failure with dos prompts and commands here. I'm 60 years old and have no problems with learning new things you describe on your page. thanks for explaining everything the way you do.. GREAT JOB!
I always use Classic Shell. What I like especially about that and Open-shell is that it has a fair selection of skins and it actually ADDS a start menu next to (or over) the original one. (If it overlaps the original one you can use _Controls_ to add keybinds to choose which menu to open) On Windows 11 I use the Classic Shell menu to access my games; on the default one I access other apps (that aren't already pinned to the taskbar).
I already run Open Shell as a better start menu (and Explorer Patcher on my wife's Windows 11 system). So I'm mainly here because I loved the thumbnail. Timestamps would be helpful. Thanks for another great video.
I installed OpenShell on a new Win11 PC but with problems. The settings fonts are so small I have to use the magnifier to read them no matter how I resize the window. Also, I CANNOT make the start menu dark no matter what I try.
@@LeeBv9983 It may be your general font size settings, dependant on what you're running them at. For 1440p, we have font size generally set at 115 in custom scaling, under 'Advanced scaling' in Windows Settings. But it shows greyed out as 225% under 'change the size of text, apps and other items. ' We have Open Shell running on my wife's Windows 11 PC with these settings that you can try: Start Menu Style: Classic with two columns. Skin: Full glass. Default transparency. Large font. No icons in second column. Menu Look: Small icon size: 16 Large icon size: 32 Enable Menu Shadow. Enable Menu Glass. Opacity: 50% You can alter the icon size obviously, depending on your screen resolution.
@@ZenAndPsychedelicHealingCenter Thanks! As for monitor, it was small but OK on Win10 with 1980x1200 monitor but new Win 11 is on a 4K 3840x2160 already set at 150% font. But, I'll try the rest of the settings. Thanks!
Appreciated more than you know. I only just now realized windows 7 was old and find myself utterly confused by windows 10 or 11. The start menu re-skin/modification helps immensely
I use Start 11 Modern. Very space efficient on my ultra-compact 10" laptop, love being able to scroll through all programs without opening another submenu, just like 10.
Atleast the terrible tiles are gone. I always hated that in windows 8 and 10 but the spacing is too large between the icons on the windows 11 start menu because the start menu is simply too big and there’s too much wasted space. They haven’t did the start menu right since windows 7.
9:54 the 11 style is because you can install this on more then just windows 11. So if you wanted to to look like 11 for example (as you mentioned too). It's possible. Or if you just want a few of stardocks tweaks but keep 11 style.
Nice video Rich I use Open Shell (yes my Windows 11 does support it and I have never had to get support for it) for my machines and it still has the Windows 11 menu as well plus Open Shell is free and I have the start button set as the old Windows7 orb . What I do is pin the the taskbar things that I use frequently ie : regedit, command prompt, Control panel, Notepad, snipping tool(old version) Settings Libre Office, calculator, disk clean, Powershell, etc etc this gives me a quick start to those apps although some like the command prompt still need a right click to admin rights. By the by Google Chrome 115 has just been released and it seems to me to be more intrusive than ever so I use the Brave browser which works on the Chrome principles . Anyway mate your channel is on of my go to channels so keep up the good work😀
BIG feature in Start11 that practically makes it a must-have: seamless Everything search integration. Replaces Windows Search with Everything as long as you have it installed on your system and can be used by hitting the Windows key and typing. I want to think that StartAllBack has/had this feature, but my experiences with it were buggy, and required you to focus the search, and wasn't implemented anywhere near as cleanly as Start11.
In Start11, I found the Windows 11 style the most useful! I customized my icons into custom labeled categories and turned off the "Recommended" category. You can also combine apps into folders, like in Android, but I don't use that feature. I tried some of the other start menu apps, and none of them were as stable or as useful as Start11 has been for me.
2 months after this video has made, I have a very good opinion on Explorer Patcher. Bugs have been fixed, and also allows you to put the task bar in vertical position. I love it. Very smooth. Live titles, grouping titles, make folders, all works.
@@georgebetrian676 nvm i realised that it isn't *yet* but it will probably break later because microsoft is erasing the Windows 10 taskbar/start menu code from 11 and explorer patcher uses registry hacks to bring them back so it uses that left out code instead of replicating the start menu/taskbar
@@darkidk341 Thanks for the notice. I hope that removal will come not in a monthly release but in a new version so I can skip it. I will update the image stored of my windows, in case that chage happens suddenly
I have been using StartisBack/StartAllBack for years and love it. I think it is the best overall. The fact that it makes the GUI closer to Windows 7 is the thing I like most.
The "Pin folder menu" in Start 11 is essentially the "Toolbar" feature in WIN10 which I really love and miss in WIN11. Not having it feels archaic!, glad I found Start 11!!!
It took 3 OEM keys to get Win11 Home to move to Pro. Not my first rodeo. I'm an old-school MCSE. The good news is that your discount did work and my son's PC went from home to pro.
Start11 having the Windows 11 as one of the plethora of options. It is about changing the grouping and texture that you demo’d plus all the other settings.
did not know the classic-shell is no longer being developed and had the source code released and picked up by opene-shell so thx for the tip, not that I see many changes but always nice to have something actively developed rather then something 5 years old even though it worked perfectly on win10
First, Rick, thanks for your videos. About Start Menu Revival... whell, I loved win 8.1 on a touch screen laptop, to the extent that I refused to upgrade to win 10, but I was forced into win 11 (and into buying another laptop). For a touch screen the win 8.1 tiles were great and both win 10 and 11 failed to provide a suitable replacement. Once said so, Start Menu Revival doesn't look to win 8, not even close, nor in the wildest dreams or nightmares: win 8.1 menu switched the screen to a full screen menu of tiles you'd resize and group at will, along with optional widget tiles showing content like weather or news. Tiles could be swiped sideways to reach ones outside the screen and the whole menu zoomed in and out, or you'd swipe upwards to reach the list of all programs, listed again in the whole screen, suitting the needs of clumsy people with thick fingers like myself. The newer menus are forcefully limited in space and everything is cluttered with icons at a fixed tight space (why don't they even let us choose the menu size?).This looks more like some old Microsoft smartphone menu and it is really shitty. What's evident is that you didn't like it not even to recognize what doesn't look like it 😆
Though limited in some ways, I love StartAllBack! I have it on 3 Win11 computers I work on. The old context menus and file explorer changes alone are well worth the $5
Openshell works great on my win 10. My only issue with open shell is they didn't concentrate on making a consistent UI so explorer, context an other menu's don't match the basic shape of the start menu you choose. also mad at Microsoft for that too because we should have a consistent dark them through out the os an the option to round the corners of all menus is the user so desires!
The options shown in the video to show "More pins" or "More recommendations" in the Windows 11 Start menu requires Windows 11 22H2, which you must manually update if you've forced Windows 11 on older hardware. Windows Update won't keep you updated.
I've been using Startisback since 2014, I hated Win 8 UI but the performance was great so I found a workaround an stuck with it, I can't believe its been nearly 10 years WOW
I started using Classic Shell with Windows 8 and have stuck with it and Open-Shell through successive Windows versions. I haven't found anything else even remotely as customizable, including the ability to use a utility such as Resource Hacker to customize skins.
I did use a Windows 7 PC for awhile. When I saw Windows 8 on someone else’s PC, I thought to myself, “No thanks. I stay with Windows 7 for now. “. After some time, I bought a Windows 10 PC, and used it for awhile. Now, I have a new Windows 11 Pro PC. Even though I never used Windows 8, I can understand why you don’t like it all. Thanks for all the info about the Windows 11 start menu alternatives.
At 3:31 actually you forgot to mention the 2 horizontal dots on the right of the Start Menu window. When click on them will show you more apps that one pins to the Start Menu
OpenShell does have a newer beta version… I think it ends in.189… it makes the start button play much nicer with windows 11, though still not quite perfect, but much closer!
I have been using classic shell for many years and have it on my win 11.... I use it as my system looks like windows 7 and it is the best. thanks for the video.
Tell me we can still move the taskbar to the LEFT side. In what universe would a customer want to have FEWER options about how to customize the desktop and taskbar?
14:00 Really you hate win 11 context menu? I get it's a setback, if you really take time and customize the context menu. That said I like how they cleaned up the context menu for vast majority of users who never get into customization of the context menu.. it hides everything you might not want to have your menu cluttered with. And if you need any shell extension and you use it by going an extra click to open the classic start menu.. it will automatically add that option to the modern context menu.. it's pretty cool if you ask me.
Thank you for all the work you give us. Although I knew about the programs you mentioned, I continue with the original version of open shell, which is the Classic Shell version 4.3.1, which works without problems even in 11.
Every Start menus are just app luncher, aren't they? Only Win10 had innovation and iMO they should keep work on that and improve it to it's best. It was great idea to turn Start menu into something better.
Aren't all these editor programs just a cluster of images and they replace the current image via a name change? I used to do that on mobile phones to customize things.
Love the videos, Rich. Any chance of incorporating timestamps/chapters in videos, when quick-reviewing various programs? on the back of watching this i went and bought Start11 and StartAllBack. Start11, for me, has the edge over StartAllBack..slightly more polished
do any of these let you decouple the start button from the rest of the buttons on the taskbar? As in, have the start button on the far left, but every else in the center? I was able to do this in windows 10, not many even realize this was possible, I certainly didn't for the longest time, but now I miss being able to.
Very nice! I always come to your videos for your great ideas. I always have to change things on my wife's computer because she's particular and likes to keep using what she's familiar with. These help. Thanks!
I have an older version of Classicshell working perfectly on 11. The 11 button is not there, and I have the right click behavior on the start button the way I want it. I'm thinking about getting Start11 V2, for other people in the house. I'm interested in trying it for myself as well.
Love the content. Thank you. My hatred for all things Windows is the burning heart of a sun. Windows 8 was an unprecedented joke. Windows 11 shows the truth I've been screaming for decades: Microsoft is taking user control away from us; even system admins. I have the choice of not owning a computer or upgrading to Windows 11 so I can play my favorite game. Maybe some of these options can make the experience more bearable. Constructive Criticism: Say however less. Learn the difference betwen there is and there are. Learn when to say fewer vs. less. "There ARE a lot more pins, not as much room for recommended settings." "It gives you FEWER pinned icons and more recommendations."
in all fairness the hatred towards Windows 8 was because Microsoft completely missread their audience & the OS itself was unusable on PC, but the Metro theme looks great, not as good as 7's Aero but is the better of the "Minimalist" themes for Windows
In my opinion, the Windows 10 style is the best! You get full use of your monitor to display the files, folders, & apps you use. The bonus is that you can create tabs within the groups. The bonus+ is that you can create pages too! Didn't cross my mind to even have and once you do you don't want to go back. You can easily scroll from one page to another with your mouse. Definitely worth the $10! Only downside and why I watched this video is to figure out how to sort based on folders withing the group first then files but I'm on day 2 of the 30 day trial.
Start all back has saved my life from the frustration that is that stupid search bar that still searches the web even when you disable it ,when i only need to find stuff on my FUCKING! COMPUTER!
Nice Video Rich. 🙂 When i first installed Windows 11 2 years ago I used StartAllBack for a month. I hated (and still do) the context menu and other things about the way to operate Windows 11. Registry hacks came later and I only had the program for the test period. When 22H2 was released I made a clean install of Windows 11. I installed Explorer Patcher at that time. I have one problem with it during that time after a Windows update, and I had to roll back to a point the system worked. The next day an update to Explorer Patcher was released a Github and I installed it again. I have not since spring have had problems with it. My Windows 11 is striped out a lot. I've used ThisIsWin11 to strip it and have used "One tool for everything" to remove Edge from Windows. Only Windows Security is in the system. I don't know if thats the reason for that Explorer Patcher is working so well?? Please continue the good job making the videoes 🙂
Not sure about what triggers the explorer patcher bug. Some people just don't experience it but a lot of people do. Personally I think it's one of the best mods for Windows 11. It will allow you to use the Windows 10 or 11 start menu as well as the Windows 10 or 11 taskbar. Absolutely amazing program. I just wish they would get that bug fixed that so many people are experiencing. That's the only reason I don't recommend it for everyone. I only recommend it for advanced users.
The Best Windows Start Menu by far was Windows 7... That is a hill I will die on. As a Network and System Admin I configure all the start menus the same so that all the employees have the same desktop experience. All The Software is uniform and where and how to launch them is uniform. Windows 7 Allows you to create "Folders" to group similar applications If you are limited in how you can structure your startmenu you have defeated the purpose of an application launcher. If you make the Start menu difficult to manage or require that you type the name of the application you want.... most people will just drop a shortcut on the desktop.
Preach it! What's the point of having icon "shortcuts" on your start menu when you can put them on your desktop. I keep a shortcut on my desktop to C:/...Start Menu and C:/... User Start Menu so I can manipulate or combine what is in the start menu. I also created a new folder in the User/Start Menu so I can put shortcuts to documents or programs I need to access all the time. "C:\Users\Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu" and "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu". I really hate 11 menus!
One thing I do NOT like about the windows 11 taskbar is for 10, I can drop web-links in a space along the bottom of the screen, and in 11 they only appear along the top - cant change it.
my start up menu is setr to center and it shows as in the center, but everytime i click the start up windows menu the pop up shows on the left side. how to fix this?
Start 11 has been totally bug filled for years now. I have a non standard 3 monitor rig with the two flanking monitors in portrait and portrait flipped and Start 11 was never able to do things as well as the Windows 10 Start menu. Im constantly getting windows hiding behind Start 11 and the only option is to change my main monitor AGAIN... SO get this. I got to Stardock to find an update and guess what they have put out Version 2 and want me to pay them more money, albeit an upgrade price. Not gonna happen. At least MS doesnt charge me for an oS anymore but I have to pay for a stinkin start menu that doesnt work as good as Windows 10 did. The opposite thing as "Progress."
I actually like the idea behind the Windows 11 start menu, but the execution is poor. I have an ultawide monitor and having the menu centered is actually quite nice. I view the Win11 start menu as more of a MacOS "spotlight" search with pinned icons - however the Windows search functionality is garbage and cannot execute commands or anything fancy. You also can't drag icons on/off the start menu to pin them or add them to desktop and you can't remove the "recents" list. In general, I find the start bar in Windows 11 to be pretty useless. It's really just a clock, background apps, and app switcher. Don't mistake me for a Linux evangelist - after using the hot-corner/activities hotkey feature on Gnome, I realised how little I actually need the app list at the bottom of the screen to be visible at all times. The workflow for me as a software engineer on Gnome is so good - hit start, Gnome scatters your open applications across your current desktop, you pick the one you want and go on. It's like a supercharged "alt+tab". I hated it initially but after some time it has really supercharged my workflow and I love it. In Windows, I can imagine a world without a start bar, where the windows key opens the "super + tab" task view view and "start+space" opens the start menu (or some variation of this). The only thing I don't know what to do with is the clock, notifications and status icons. That said, emotionally, having a start bar is comforting for some reason - even if it's largely useless.
Do you know of any ways to get the toolbars back on the task bar? I always have a couple toolbars added to the taskbar, but Windows 11 removed them on purpose.
In most cases, I never even need the start menu. All the apps I use daily are pinned to the taskbar anyway, making starting a program a single-click affair as opposed to clicking to open the Start Menu, then clicking to start the program. I've never understood the inexplicable need for people to use third-party tools to change the Start Menu. What? Do people spend most of their time on the start menu itself, or do they start a program to get any work done? The only exception to my distaste of third-party start menu apps was with Windows 8, with its horrendous full screen start menu. But even that was rectified with Windows 8.1.
What's the point of having icon "shortcuts" on your start menu when you can put them on your desktop. I keep a shortcut on my desktop to C:/...Start Menu and C:/... User Start Menu so I can manipulate or combine what is in the start menu. I also created a new folder called "Files" in the User/Start Menu so I can put shortcuts to documents or programs I need to access all the time. "C:\Users\Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Files". This is how you can pin a file shortcut to your start menu. I also put these shortcuts into a "Utilities" folder pinned to my start menu. "C:\Users\Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu" and "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu". I really hate 11 menus! Too much inconsistency with words and icons with no way to pick one, the other or combo. Ribbons suck too.
If you use the Windows 11 style menu in Start11, it gives the option to remove the recommendation section and arrange the pinned apps into a group. You cannot do this with the start menu that comes with Windows 11. It can also make the Start Menu transparent
Cool name!
Just saying.
Good to know.
Aren't the folders that you can arrange pinned apps into, counting as groups for you? Like on an Android phone, I just drag one app onto another and it creates a group. Which I can then rename.
This is great to know, this was the only thing really stopping from updating to Windows 11. I hate that when I set the behaviour to show more apps than recommended, and I even empty the recommended section it still shows the empty section. It's such a waste of space.
@@CyberCPUhave they fixed the bug where u need to install it again after every windows upate?
The best Windows 11 tweak I've found is staying on Windows 10 and I am not the only one that think about this.
For now, that's what I recommend as well. However, lots of people use Windows 11 now and Windows 10 looses support in 2025.
Also I’m buying a notebook without drivers for windows 10 :(( sadly
@@xKhaozs what laptop?(brand and model)it is very rare that computer hardware factories make devices that support exclusively a single OS, probably the manufacturer of the laptop have drivers for windows 10 on its page
@@xKhaozsyour drivers sould install automacly if its a network connection
@@CyberCPUWindows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 21H2 has support from Microsoft until 2032 and can be permanently HWID activated using MAS.
I love the way how you explain Windows 11 topics without hate, but with optimistic criticism 😅🤣
Yeah, speaking to actual 'users' who are non techie, they love the win 10/11 paradigm of search for everything.... Us power users can't stand it lol
Glad you enjoyed it.
The only thing I use windows for is testing malware...
Open-Shell is in active development, the latest version is 4.4.190 released today. You just have to go to the releases page and you will find it there. The version you installed is the latest non beta release from 2022. Also, Shift+Click brings up the original Windows menu, no need to click on the edge of the menu icon.
Good too know.
Please note, 4.4.190 is a pre-release version. It's still more or less stable, but can have a few bugs or glitches.
Thanks for this!
@@CyberCPU hello can u help please
i have problem when i point on icons on desktop the details not showing like size or video time any fix for this thx
windows would be out of my house if open-shell did not exist. It is the last resort to windows sanity :)
StartAllBack is pretty cool. It adds full dark mode to legacy stuff like the control panel. And it's smaller than Start11 (And you can put folders into the programs section unlike ExplorerPatcher)
Yeah is it before 22h2 or after.
The thing with StartAllBack to keep in mind is that it doesn't work with Stardock WindowBlinds. I tried it once and it just keeped crashing the explorer until I stopped either StartAllBack or WindowBlinds.
@@markusTegelane They even said that they wouldn't give StartAllBack compatibility, because they're a competitor. Even though from what I remember, WindowBlinds and StartIsBack were compatible in Windows 10. Seems like a sabotage
@@UltraCenterHQ oh wow, I didn't know that
don't think I'm going to be buying any software from them ever again, just because of that
Does it make control panel dark mode for windows 10 too? Or is it only for 11?
Love your channel, been working on computers since windows 3.11. very failure with dos prompts and commands here. I'm 60 years old and have no problems with learning new things you describe on your page. thanks for explaining everything the way you do.. GREAT JOB!
I LOVE StartAll Back. It has great Taskbar settings and it brings back Toolsbars to W11.
too bad you have to pay for it
@@pepelepew2690
I don't care, it's worth it for me.
I always use Classic Shell. What I like especially about that and Open-shell is that it has a fair selection of skins and it actually ADDS a start menu next to (or over) the original one. (If it overlaps the original one you can use _Controls_ to add keybinds to choose which menu to open) On Windows 11 I use the Classic Shell menu to access my games; on the default one I access other apps (that aren't already pinned to the taskbar).
why would you use classic shell?
it's extremely outdated
@@dk4kja8 They already told you why..
Oh god i'm so stupid@@raincadeify
@@dk4kja8 lol. Glad I could help.
Have not swapped over to Win 11 yet but watching your videos to learn as much as I can! Thanks
I already run Open Shell as a better start menu (and Explorer Patcher on my wife's Windows 11 system). So I'm mainly here because I loved the thumbnail. Timestamps would be helpful. Thanks for another great video.
I installed OpenShell on a new Win11 PC but with problems. The settings fonts are so small I have to use the magnifier to read them no matter how I resize the window. Also, I CANNOT make the start menu dark no matter what I try.
@@LeeBv9983 It may be your general font size settings, dependant on what you're running them at. For 1440p, we have font size generally set at 115 in custom scaling, under 'Advanced scaling' in Windows Settings. But it shows greyed out as 225% under 'change the size of text, apps and other items. ' We have Open Shell running on my wife's Windows 11 PC with these settings that you can try:
Start Menu Style:
Classic with two columns.
Skin:
Full glass.
Default transparency.
Large font.
No icons in second column.
Menu Look:
Small icon size: 16
Large icon size: 32
Enable Menu Shadow.
Enable Menu Glass.
Opacity: 50%
You can alter the icon size obviously, depending on your screen resolution.
@@ZenAndPsychedelicHealingCenter Thanks! As for monitor, it was small but OK on Win10 with 1980x1200 monitor but new Win 11 is on a 4K 3840x2160 already set at 150% font.
But, I'll try the rest of the settings.
Thanks!
Appreciated more than you know. I only just now realized windows 7 was old and find myself utterly confused by windows 10 or 11. The start menu re-skin/modification helps immensely
I'm trying to find out more about the telemetry aspect and how to curtail that
Glad it helped.
@@CyberCPU very much
I use Start 11 Modern. Very space efficient on my ultra-compact 10" laptop, love being able to scroll through all programs without opening another submenu, just like 10.
Atleast the terrible tiles are gone. I always hated that in windows 8 and 10 but the spacing is too large between the icons on the windows 11 start menu because the start menu is simply too big and there’s too much wasted space. They haven’t did the start menu right since windows 7.
Great video. I used a Stardock product on my wife's Windows 8 laptop. It was so much nicer than the Windows 8 start menu.
9:54 the 11 style is because you can install this on more then just windows 11. So if you wanted to to look like 11 for example (as you mentioned too). It's possible. Or if you just want a few of stardocks tweaks but keep 11 style.
Yeah, that's what I figured.
Nice video Rich I use Open Shell (yes my Windows 11 does support it and I have never had to get support for it) for my machines and it still has the Windows 11 menu as well plus Open Shell is free and I have the start button set as the old Windows7 orb . What I do is pin the the taskbar things that I use frequently ie : regedit, command prompt, Control panel, Notepad, snipping tool(old version) Settings Libre Office, calculator, disk clean, Powershell, etc etc this gives me a quick start to those apps although some like the command prompt still need a right click to admin rights. By the by Google Chrome 115 has just been released and it seems to me to be more intrusive than ever so I use the Brave browser which works on the Chrome principles .
Anyway mate your channel is on of my go to channels so keep up the good work😀
I like the look of Windows 98 SE and even XP (minus some of the cartoonish stuff), best. I have used Classic Shell since it came out. Love it.
I had windows 8.1 for 10 years modified. Loved it.
Blasphemy!!!!
@@CyberCPU :D
With start all back, you can set the windows and search ect buttons to be on the left, while your tasks and programs stay in the middle
Thank You. I didn't know about moving Start Menu to the left. Now both my laptops are set to the same.
BIG feature in Start11 that practically makes it a must-have: seamless Everything search integration. Replaces Windows Search with Everything as long as you have it installed on your system and can be used by hitting the Windows key and typing.
I want to think that StartAllBack has/had this feature, but my experiences with it were buggy, and required you to focus the search, and wasn't implemented anywhere near as cleanly as Start11.
Windows 7 interface was my favorit with the Aero.
Did you see the video I did on that a month or so ago?
For anyone using open shell in windows 11 i suggest using retrobar aswell, to avoid the double start menu thing
Explorer patcher will also help avoid that.
Since the August '23 release openshell replaces the startbutton again ...
Explorer Patcher is so incredibly good! I'm amazed! That's exactly and precisely what I wanted, and it does sooo much more! Thanks!
Forgot how good Windows 7 was.
Hands down its the best version of windows
In Start11, I found the Windows 11 style the most useful! I customized my icons into custom labeled categories and turned off the "Recommended" category. You can also combine apps into folders, like in Android, but I don't use that feature. I tried some of the other start menu apps, and none of them were as stable or as useful as Start11 has been for me.
Thanx for the video. I've been using Open Shell for years in "Classic" mode. Free and works well..
2 months after this video has made, I have a very good opinion on Explorer Patcher. Bugs have been fixed, and also allows you to put the task bar in vertical position. I love it. Very smooth. Live titles, grouping titles, make folders, all works.
This aged poorly (Explorer Patcher is now broken in the newer versions of Windows 11)
@@darkidk341 It works well in my W11 that is up to date. What problems did you see?
@@georgebetrian676 nvm i realised that it isn't *yet* but it will probably break later because microsoft is erasing the Windows 10 taskbar/start menu code from 11 and explorer patcher uses registry hacks to bring them back so it uses that left out code instead of replicating the start menu/taskbar
@@darkidk341 Thanks for the notice. I hope that removal will come not in a monthly release but in a new version so I can skip it. I will update the image stored of my windows, in case that chage happens suddenly
I paid for Open shell about 10 years ago. I love it
Do you mean you donated? I don't believe they have a way to pay for it.
I have been using StartisBack/StartAllBack for years and love it. I think it is the best overall. The fact that it makes the GUI closer to Windows 7 is the thing I like most.
Windows 7 is still the best-looking UI, for me. Glad there's a way to get close to that in 11.
The "Pin folder menu" in Start 11 is essentially the "Toolbar" feature in WIN10 which I really love and miss in WIN11. Not having it feels archaic!, glad I found Start 11!!!
I like Open Shell, hope it works well on the new Win11 laptop arriving today.
Thanks for a great video. Explorer Patcher was exactly what I wanted.
It took 3 OEM keys to get Win11 Home to move to Pro. Not my first rodeo. I'm an old-school MCSE. The good news is that your discount did work and my son's PC went from home to pro.
Start11 having the Windows 11 as one of the plethora of options. It is about changing the grouping and texture that you demo’d plus all the other settings.
Thank you. This was straight to the point and informative. Liked & subbed!
did not know the classic-shell is no longer being developed and had the source code released and picked up by opene-shell
so thx for the tip, not that I see many changes but always nice to have something actively developed rather then something 5 years old even though it worked perfectly on win10
First, Rick, thanks for your videos. About Start Menu Revival... whell, I loved win 8.1 on a touch screen laptop, to the extent that I refused to upgrade to win 10, but I was forced into win 11 (and into buying another laptop). For a touch screen the win 8.1 tiles were great and both win 10 and 11 failed to provide a suitable replacement. Once said so, Start Menu Revival doesn't look to win 8, not even close, nor in the wildest dreams or nightmares: win 8.1 menu switched the screen to a full screen menu of tiles you'd resize and group at will, along with optional widget tiles showing content like weather or news. Tiles could be swiped sideways to reach ones outside the screen and the whole menu zoomed in and out, or you'd swipe upwards to reach the list of all programs, listed again in the whole screen, suitting the needs of clumsy people with thick fingers like myself. The newer menus are forcefully limited in space and everything is cluttered with icons at a fixed tight space (why don't they even let us choose the menu size?).This looks more like some old Microsoft smartphone menu and it is really shitty. What's evident is that you didn't like it not even to recognize what doesn't look like it 😆
Though limited in some ways, I love StartAllBack! I have it on 3 Win11 computers I work on. The old context menus and file explorer changes alone are well worth the $5
Openshell works great on my win 10. My only issue with open shell is they didn't concentrate on making a consistent UI so explorer, context an other menu's don't match the basic shape of the start menu you choose. also mad at Microsoft for that too because we should have a consistent dark them through out the os an the option to round the corners of all menus is the user so desires!
The options shown in the video to show "More pins" or "More recommendations" in the Windows 11 Start menu requires Windows 11 22H2, which you must manually update if you've forced Windows 11 on older hardware. Windows Update won't keep you updated.
I did a video a while back showing how to update an unsupported system to 22H2.
Danke Schoen, I enjoyed the segment.
Any recommendations to replace and improve the original Windows 10 start menu for anything some more handy and fancy?
All these start menus work in Windows 10 as well.
@@CyberCPU Thank you Rich!
which of them allow vertical taskbar on the side?
I've been using Startisback since 2014, I hated Win 8 UI but the performance was great so I found a workaround an stuck with it, I can't believe its been nearly 10 years WOW
Thanks.Your tutorial is very useful.
Glad it helped.
I started using Classic Shell with Windows 8 and have stuck with it and Open-Shell through successive Windows versions. I haven't found anything else even remotely as customizable, including the ability to use a utility such as Resource Hacker to customize skins.
I did use a Windows 7 PC for awhile. When I saw Windows 8 on someone else’s PC, I thought to myself, “No thanks. I stay with Windows 7 for now. “. After some time, I bought a Windows 10 PC, and used it for awhile. Now, I have a new Windows 11 Pro PC. Even though I never used Windows 8, I can understand why you don’t like it all. Thanks for all the info about the Windows 11 start menu alternatives.
that beard and the star wars toys scream “i have no credibility whatsoever”
At 3:31 actually you forgot to mention the 2 horizontal dots on the right of the Start Menu window. When click on them will show you more apps that one pins to the Start Menu
OpenShell does have a newer beta version… I think it ends in.189… it makes the start button play much nicer with windows 11, though still not quite perfect, but much closer!
A few other people have mentioned that. I may have to look into it further.
I have been using classic shell for many years and have it on my win 11.... I use it as my system looks like windows 7 and it is the best.
thanks for the video.
Tell me we can still move the taskbar to the LEFT side. In what universe would a customer want to have FEWER options about how to customize the desktop and taskbar?
Setting the taskbar to the left has always been a thing in Windows 11
Ohhh you meant the taskbar itself, not the icons
Explorer patcher will let you move the taskbar.
14:00 Really you hate win 11 context menu? I get it's a setback, if you really take time and customize the context menu. That said I like how they cleaned up the context menu for vast majority of users who never get into customization of the context menu.. it hides everything you might not want to have your menu cluttered with. And if you need any shell extension and you use it by going an extra click to open the classic start menu.. it will automatically add that option to the modern context menu.. it's pretty cool if you ask me.
The "new" Windows start menus are the reason why I am using Classic/Open Shell since Windows Vista
Openshell doesn't seem to work on the start button in Win 11. That's with the start button on the left side.
we need the Classic theme back.... all my time fav.
i don't use 11 yet, but when i'll use it, i have bought some StartIsBack licences, that i could upgrade to StartAllBack
Thank you for all the work you give us. Although I knew about the programs you mentioned, I continue with the original version of open shell, which is the Classic Shell version 4.3.1, which works without problems even in 11.
Since the last update Explore patcher doesn't let you change the windows 10 start menu anymore :"(
Simple classic theme+openshell+retrobar
You're welcome!
Every Start menus are just app luncher, aren't they? Only Win10 had innovation and iMO they should keep work on that and improve it to it's best. It was great idea to turn Start menu into something better.
Aren't all these editor programs just a cluster of images and they replace the current image via a name change?
I used to do that on mobile phones to customize things.
I've been using Open Shell for years and I swear by it.
Open Shell is still being updated and I haven't had any problems with Windows 11 Pro. The version I am using is 4.4.189.
I like using Open Shell because you can export a settings file to transfer to other computers so they’re all set up the same.
can you show how rem all apple design, it the only thing why am still on win10, am a square guy and need reduce border radius from 50% to maybe 4%
Love the videos, Rich. Any chance of incorporating timestamps/chapters in videos, when quick-reviewing various programs? on the back of watching this i went and bought Start11 and StartAllBack. Start11, for me, has the edge over StartAllBack..slightly more polished
I've done it in the past. It takes a long time to do so I don't often do it.
do any of these let you decouple the start button from the rest of the buttons on the taskbar? As in, have the start button on the far left, but every else in the center? I was able to do this in windows 10, not many even realize this was possible, I certainly didn't for the longest time, but now I miss being able to.
StartAllBack can do this from its settings>Taskbar> Centered task icons
I used the paid for Start10 and now use Start11. It's great, with many different options.
Very nice! I always come to your videos for your great ideas. I always have to change things on my wife's computer because she's particular and likes to keep using what she's familiar with. These help. Thanks!
That would be sweet!
Using alternative start menus made my recent update to Windows 11 unusable, and now my OG Start menu doesn't work :/
Start 11 is best alternatives is best, it gave me back the old win 7 menu
I have an older version of Classicshell working perfectly on 11. The 11 button is not there, and I have the right click behavior on the start button the way I want it. I'm thinking about getting Start11 V2, for other people in the house. I'm interested in trying it for myself as well.
Love your Tshirt 🤩🤩
I like Start11 because it integrates the search from Everything.
Love the content. Thank you. My hatred for all things Windows is the burning heart of a sun. Windows 8 was an unprecedented joke. Windows 11 shows the truth I've been screaming for decades: Microsoft is taking user control away from us; even system admins.
I have the choice of not owning a computer or upgrading to Windows 11 so I can play my favorite game. Maybe some of these options can make the experience more bearable.
Constructive Criticism:
Say however less. Learn the difference betwen there is and there are. Learn when to say fewer vs. less.
"There ARE a lot more pins, not as much room for recommended settings."
"It gives you FEWER pinned icons and more recommendations."
Have jused start11 long time!! Great program
in all fairness the hatred towards Windows 8 was because Microsoft completely missread their audience & the OS itself was unusable on PC, but the Metro theme looks great, not as good as 7's Aero but is the better of the "Minimalist" themes for Windows
In my opinion, the Windows 10 style is the best! You get full use of your monitor to display the files, folders, & apps you use. The bonus is that you can create tabs within the groups. The bonus+ is that you can create pages too! Didn't cross my mind to even have and once you do you don't want to go back. You can easily scroll from one page to another with your mouse. Definitely worth the $10! Only downside and why I watched this video is to figure out how to sort based on folders withing the group first then files but I'm on day 2 of the 30 day trial.
Start all back has saved my life from the frustration that is that stupid search bar that still searches the web even when you disable it ,when i only need to find stuff on my FUCKING! COMPUTER!
Nice Video Rich. 🙂
When i first installed Windows 11 2 years ago I used StartAllBack for a month. I hated (and still do) the context menu and other things about the way to operate Windows 11. Registry hacks came later and I only had the program for the test period. When 22H2 was released I made a clean install of Windows 11. I installed Explorer Patcher at that time. I have one problem with it during that time after a Windows update, and I had to roll back to a point the system worked. The next day an update to Explorer Patcher was released a Github and I installed it again. I have not since spring have had problems with it. My Windows 11 is striped out a lot. I've used ThisIsWin11 to strip it and have used "One tool for everything" to remove Edge from Windows. Only Windows Security is in the system. I don't know if thats the reason for that Explorer Patcher is working so well?? Please continue the good job making the videoes 🙂
Not sure about what triggers the explorer patcher bug. Some people just don't experience it but a lot of people do.
Personally I think it's one of the best mods for Windows 11. It will allow you to use the Windows 10 or 11 start menu as well as the Windows 10 or 11 taskbar. Absolutely amazing program. I just wish they would get that bug fixed that so many people are experiencing. That's the only reason I don't recommend it for everyone. I only recommend it for advanced users.
The Best Windows Start Menu by far was Windows 7... That is a hill I will die on.
As a Network and System Admin I configure all the start menus the same so that all the employees have the same desktop experience.
All The Software is uniform and where and how to launch them is uniform.
Windows 7 Allows you to create "Folders" to group similar applications
If you are limited in how you can structure your startmenu you have defeated the purpose of an application launcher.
If you make the Start menu difficult to manage or require that you type the name of the application you want.... most people will just drop a shortcut on the desktop.
Preach it! What's the point of having icon "shortcuts" on your start menu when you can put them on your desktop. I keep a shortcut on my desktop to C:/...Start Menu and C:/... User Start Menu so I can manipulate or combine what is in the start menu. I also created a new folder in the User/Start Menu so I can put shortcuts to documents or programs I need to access all the time. "C:\Users\Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu" and "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu". I really hate 11 menus!
One thing I do NOT like about the windows 11 taskbar is for 10, I can drop web-links in a space along the bottom of the screen, and in 11 they only appear along the top - cant change it.
can u get classic right-click context menu with open shell?
I have been using and still love the quick launch task bar, but cant find a way to get it back in windows 11
What would be cool, whether MS or someone else could pull it off, is to be able to place your start menu anywhere on the desktop.
Thanks for the tips
my start up menu is setr to center and it shows as in the center, but everytime i click the start up windows menu the pop up shows on the left side. how to fix this?
How can I default the Start Menu to "Restart" rather than Shut Down?
I use start menu from stardock it’s working great and they have other great programs too
So, I ran the OpenShell setup through VirusTotal, and there were three detections. Is this a false positive?
Start 11 has been totally bug filled for years now. I have a non standard 3 monitor rig with the two flanking monitors in portrait and portrait flipped and Start 11 was never able to do things as well as the Windows 10 Start menu. Im constantly getting windows hiding behind Start 11 and the only option is to change my main monitor AGAIN... SO get this. I got to Stardock to find an update and guess what they have put out Version 2 and want me to pay them more money, albeit an upgrade price. Not gonna happen. At least MS doesnt charge me for an oS anymore but I have to pay for a stinkin start menu that doesnt work as good as Windows 10 did. The opposite thing as "Progress."
I actually like the idea behind the Windows 11 start menu, but the execution is poor. I have an ultawide monitor and having the menu centered is actually quite nice. I view the Win11 start menu as more of a MacOS "spotlight" search with pinned icons - however the Windows search functionality is garbage and cannot execute commands or anything fancy. You also can't drag icons on/off the start menu to pin them or add them to desktop and you can't remove the "recents" list.
In general, I find the start bar in Windows 11 to be pretty useless. It's really just a clock, background apps, and app switcher.
Don't mistake me for a Linux evangelist - after using the hot-corner/activities hotkey feature on Gnome, I realised how little I actually need the app list at the bottom of the screen to be visible at all times. The workflow for me as a software engineer on Gnome is so good - hit start, Gnome scatters your open applications across your current desktop, you pick the one you want and go on. It's like a supercharged "alt+tab". I hated it initially but after some time it has really supercharged my workflow and I love it.
In Windows, I can imagine a world without a start bar, where the windows key opens the "super + tab" task view view and "start+space" opens the start menu (or some variation of this). The only thing I don't know what to do with is the clock, notifications and status icons.
That said, emotionally, having a start bar is comforting for some reason - even if it's largely useless.
Great video, no Windows 8 full screen menu as you can do in Windows 10 for an option?
Do you know of any ways to get the toolbars back on the task bar? I always have a couple toolbars added to the taskbar, but Windows 11 removed them on purpose.
Explorer patcher.
No links in the description... kinda disrespectful to the (github) devs , not bothering to link their page despite that being said in the video...
In most cases, I never even need the start menu. All the apps I use daily are pinned to the taskbar anyway, making starting a program a single-click affair as opposed to clicking to open the Start Menu, then clicking to start the program.
I've never understood the inexplicable need for people to use third-party tools to change the Start Menu. What? Do people spend most of their time on the start menu itself, or do they start a program to get any work done?
The only exception to my distaste of third-party start menu apps was with Windows 8, with its horrendous full screen start menu. But even that was rectified with Windows 8.1.
Love your content you deserve more sub's! Plus, you give me ideas of my newest shirt to wear around the office.
What's the point of having icon "shortcuts" on your start menu when you can put them on your desktop. I keep a shortcut on my desktop to C:/...Start Menu and C:/... User Start Menu so I can manipulate or combine what is in the start menu. I also created a new folder called "Files" in the User/Start Menu so I can put shortcuts to documents or programs I need to access all the time. "C:\Users\Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Files". This is how you can pin a file shortcut to your start menu.
I also put these shortcuts into a "Utilities" folder pinned to my start menu. "C:\Users\Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu" and "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu".
I really hate 11 menus! Too much inconsistency with words and icons with no way to pick one, the other or combo. Ribbons suck too.