3rd party app for "classic" look in win10?

[Red Squirrel]

We have a new computer at our church and it came with win10, while it's light years better than win8.x, I still hate the interface. The start menu and overall interface is near useless given it's missing lot of important stuff like an easy way to get to "My computer" which is not on the desktop either. (I managed to make a shortcut, it's kinda an important thing to have easy access to!)

Then it got me thinking, win 8 has lot of apps to give the start menu back, I'm sure there must be some to give windows a more overall classic feel, like XP. Upon googling I came across one called Classic Shell that looks interesting. I don't like just downloading stuff without having some second hand knowledge though.

What does everyone use to get that more classic usable feel? Idealy something that is fairly self contained that I can just put on a USB stick, as there is no internet access.

 

[TheRyuu]

easy way to get to "My computer" which is not on the desktop either. (I managed to make a shortcut, it's kinda an important thing to have easy access to!)

You can configure the default window that's shown when you open up explorer. I currently have it set to "This PC".

I think beyond that just using it for a week and you'll adjust pretty quick. It took me a few days to get used to it coming from 8.1 but I never used any of the "classic" stuff on 8.1. I don't mind the start menu either although I've basically nuked what was there and replaced all of the stuff on the quick start menu.

 

[fleshconsumed]

What's wrong with Win+X or right clicking the start button?

 

[Nashemon]

You can configure the default window that's shown when you open up explorer. I currently have it set to "This PC".

I recommend doing this as well. Also, ever since Windows 8, I've been using Winkey+E to open My Computer, since there was no obvious way to do it at first. It's the easiest way to open it, bar none.

I can confirm Classic Shell works just fine. I've had it crash once on Windows 8 on a customer's computer and the Start menu would no longer open, which might be worrisome to a layman if that ever happens, but other than that, I'm very happy with it. I've installed it on my mother's PC, too.

 

[balloonshark]

I have yet to move my computers to Windows 10 but when I do Classic Shell will be one of the first things I install.

 

[JackMDS]

Are you aware that you can Left Click on the start Menu?
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One can also open Windows Exploiter Right Click on almost any icon and pin to the Start Menu or Task Bar.

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It is also possible to leave Win 10 intact and use the Freelaunchbar application mentioned here at the end.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2468279

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In general unless One is already in his/her EOL and figures that there is No point to learn out New cause they will not be around for the Next iteration of OS, what is the point of Not getting adjusted to New.

 

[Red Squirrel]

You can configure the default window that's shown when you open up explorer. I currently have it set to "This PC".

I think beyond that just using it for a week and you'll adjust pretty quick. It took me a few days to get used to it coming from 8.1 but I never used any of the "classic" stuff on 8.1. I don't mind the start menu either although I've basically nuked what was there and replaced all of the stuff on the quick start menu.

Well the problem is that there is not really an easy way to get to explorer in first place. I can't even remember what I did, I think I just typed C:\ in IE or something and was able to get to it that way. From there I was able to make the shortcuts I need on the desktop.

What I want is something I can just plop on a USB stick and quickly install on any win10 machine I need to even remotely manage. Sure I can get used to it... but I could probably also get used to having to go push a button in the trunk of my car in order to open the glove box, but it's not ideal.

Actually I also hate the pinning stuff, you minimize a program and it practically dissapears. There's no distinction between a shortcut and a program that's actively open. Win 7 does the same but I always just remove all the pinned stuff and enable titles. I don't know why MS keeps changing stuff for the sake of change as they reduce intuitivity each time they do that.

So will classic shell fix all this? the program does look promising from it's site, I was just not sure if it's legit or not as there's lot of crap out there these days that just wants to load spyware so always want second hand knowledge. I might throw that on a USB stick and start installing it from now on any win 8/10 machine I end up having to support.

 

[ControlD]

Well the problem is that there is not really an easy way to get to explorer in first place. I can't even remember what I did, I think I just typed C:\ in IE or something and was able to get to it that way. From there I was able to make the shortcuts I need on the desktop.

What I want is something I can just plop on a USB stick and quickly install on any win10 machine I need to even remotely manage. Sure I can get used to it... but I could probably also get used to having to go push a button in the trunk of my car in order to open the glove box, but it's not ideal.

Actually I also hate the pinning stuff, you minimize a program and it practically dissapears. There's no distinction between a shortcut and a program that's actively open. Win 7 does the same but I always just remove all the pinned stuff and enable titles. I don't know why MS keeps changing stuff for the sake of change as they reduce intuitivity each time they do that.

So will classic shell fix all this? the program does look promising from it's site, I was just not sure if it's legit or not as there's lot of crap out there these days that just wants to load spyware so always want second hand knowledge. I might throw that on a USB stick and start installing it from now on any win 8/10 machine I end up having to support.

It is easy to tell the difference between a pinned and running program. Look for the bar underneath the icon (unless someone turned that off).

It should look something like this:

If you don't like the running and pinned icons being combined, you can change that by right clicking on the taskbar and changing the behavior to "never combine". Or, there is an option to only combine icons when the task bar is full. You have quite a bit of freedom in Windows 10 to configure both the task bar and the start menu. You just have to play around a little bit.

Spend five minutes or so to setup the start menu the way you want it. You can add pretty much anything you want, including a link to your File Explorer of choice.

http://www.howtogeek.com/197836/8-ways-to-customize-the-windows-10-start-menu/

If you still don't like that, something like Classic Shell or Start 10 will give you a more Windows 7 type of start menu. I haven't felt a need to run those in Windows 10 however. I simply spent a few minutes getting my start menu setup how I wanted it and life has been good.

 

[boomerang]

Everything you want is built right into 10 without any app installed.

Right click Desktop and choose Personalize.
Choose Themes
Click Desktop icon settings and go crazy.

On the left end of the taskbar there is an icon for File Explorer. Click on that and you might just be amazed at what you see.

 

[Ketchup]

You can configure the default window that's shown when you open up explorer. I currently have it set to "This PC"....

Same here. One of the first things I change. Also, you can peg just about ANYTHING to the start menu (for example, you can put a shortcut to your Documents folder on the LH side through the start menu options, or you can peg a full-size icon to the RH side through the right-click menu.

After spending a few minutes with it (and doing a little Googling), my desire for Start Menu replacement vanished.

 

[TeknoBug]

ClassicShell and Start10 (Start8 works too).

 

[balloonshark]

So will classic shell fix all this? the program does look promising from it's site, I was just not sure if it's legit or not as there's lot of crap out there these days that just wants to load spyware so always want second hand knowledge. I might throw that on a USB stick and start installing it from now on any win 8/10 machine I end up having to support.

Classic Shell is legit. http://www.classicshell.net/



Or as others have said you can right-click the start button (in windows 8 I have to right-click the bottom left screen corner) and then select File Explorer.

 

[TheRyuu]

Well the problem is that there is not really an easy way to get to explorer in first place.

What? It's pinned to your taskbar by default on a fresh install of Windows 10 (and 8.1, and 8 as well I believe, can't remember on 7).

The only things I've done with the taskbar are getting rid of Cortana, the Windows Store icon and swapping Edge for Chrome. You have a lot of freedom when it comes to customizing this stuff. I'm not sure why you're having trouble with this stuff. Perhaps you're just not aware of the stuff you can do and customize? You should be able to make it look and behave how you want it without the need for any third party stuff.

Also it may take a few days to adjust your muscle memory for this but look at the menu when you right click the start button. Most of that stuff was added in an 8.1 update although it may have been tweaked for W10.

You can configure the default window that's shown when you open up explorer. I currently have it set to "This PC".

BTW this setting is in Folder Options in case anyone is wondering or hasn't found it yet. You can also get there using the File menu in explorer (also try expanding the ribbon so it's visible, you may find some setting or feature you wanted there although I can't say I've ever used it with the ribbon enabled).

 

[Puffnstuff]

Classic shell is the solution you seek and I run it on all of my 10 pc's even the tablet.

 

[Lorne]

"there is not really an easy way to get to explorer in first place.", Wait, What?
Winkey-E, Its worked since Win95

 

[SparkyJJO]

We have a new computer at our church and it came with win10, while it's light years better than win8.x, I still hate the interface. The start menu and overall interface is near useless given it's missing lot of important stuff like an easy way to get to "My computer" which is not on the desktop either. (I managed to make a shortcut, it's kinda an important thing to have easy access to!)

What? It is right there in the start menu, 4th item from the bottom by default. Hit File Explorer. If you want it to go to "computer" by default (I did), go to the Explorer View tab > Options, and select Open File Explorer to This PC. Done. Easy.

Windows 10 start menu is very similar to old versions of Windows, except it has the pinned modern "tiles" you can put there if you wish for common programs you use (modern live tiles or classic programs, doesn't matter). If you don't want any of those, you can unpin them and just resize the menu so that space isn't there anymore.

And yes, you can have "My Computer" - or as it is called now, "This PC" - on the desktop. I have it on mine. Right click desktop > Personalize > Themes > Desktop icon settings. Yeah, a little bit of an odd place to put it, but it is still there.

Something like Classic Shell or Startmenu8 was useful on Windows 8 or Server 2012. Windows 10? Not necessary at all.

 

[Puffnstuff]

While I find that the improved menu system of 10 was a step in the right direction it wasn't enough for me. I want to get to a menu version of control panel or whatever else I elect to stick on the start menu and CS provides that for me.

 

[Underclocked]

Install Classic Shell. When you first start it, SHOW ALL SETTINGS to see all the tweaks available. Leave it as is to begin but you might want to change some of those settings later.

I use a custom start button with a custom size. I get rid of all pinned icons and restore the quick launch panel. I then add/remove icons to the quick launch as I please.

I like to get rid of both task view and the search box from the taskbar. You can get to those settings with a simple right click on an empty spot on the bottom taskbar.

In the control panel, View by - select your choice. I use large icons.

There are a lot of tweaks you can learn which can provide you a more familiar environment, but Classic Shell is definitely a great starting point.

 

[MongGrel]

You can custom Win 10 to a large degree without even an add on, which has been mentioned a several times of course, once you spend a short amount of time messing with it.

It's more getting over the phobia and just learning to use it, it really doesn't take long.

I used classic shell for a day or two, it is good for starting, then just reverted as I wanted to learn the new GUI anyway.

I actually prefer the Win 10 interface now.

 

[Linflas]

What? It is right there in the start menu, 4th item from the bottom by default. Hit File Explorer. If you want it to go to "computer" by default (I did), go to the Explorer View tab > Options, and select Open File Explorer to This PC. Done. Easy.

Windows 10 start menu is very similar to old versions of Windows, except it has the pinned modern "tiles" you can put there if you wish for common programs you use (modern live tiles or classic programs, doesn't matter). If you don't want any of those, you can unpin them and just resize the menu so that space isn't there anymore.

And yes, you can have "My Computer" - or as it is called now, "This PC" - on the desktop. I have it on mine. Right click desktop > Personalize > Themes > Desktop icon settings. Yeah, a little bit of an odd place to put it, but it is still there.

Something like Classic Shell or Startmenu8 was useful on Windows 8 or Server 2012. Windows 10? Not necessary at all.

They decided back with Windows XP that we didn't "need" those icons on the desktop and have stubbornly clung to that through all releases since. Before 10 it was relatively easy to right click on the desktop and use Personalize to enable them. For some reason with 10 they decided it needed to be hidden a bit deeper.

 

[Newbian]

Another vote for classic shell.

It made my life when I used win 8 and now win 10 so much better.

 

[pmv]

You can custom Win 10 to a large degree without even an add on, which has been mentioned a several times of course, once you spend a short amount of time messing with it.

It's more getting over the phobia and just learning to use it, it really doesn't take long.

I used classic shell for a day or two, it is good for starting, then just reverted as I wanted to learn the new GUI anyway.

I actually prefer the Win 10 interface now.

Its not really a 'phobia', more a case of liking good design and disliking bad design. In terms of usability, Windows 10's GUI isn't very good.

For example, the lack of borders and coloured title bars makes noticably harder to work out where windows begin and end. I'm starting to find that a complete pain, constantly having to stop for a fraction of a second to work out if that's another window on top or if its part of the underlying one.

It's just objectively inferior to windows 7, no 'phobia' involved. Maybe not as much as 8, but its still obviously a touch-screen/smart-phone interface.

I actually used classic shell with 7, but using it with 10 would just emphasize how bad the rest of the interface is - its the absurd washed-out white-on-white, near-borderless windows that are the bigger problem, rather than the just-about-tolerable start menu.

At some point I think I might just revert to 7, though it would be a shame to lose the under-the-hood improvements.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I actually prefer the Win 10 interface now.

Can't say that I do. GUI is terrible, even when compared to 8.1. Customization is limited, colors are bland. Some things are three/four clicks away, unless you use cmd and/or search and keyboard shortcuts. Clearly, it wasn't optimized for a mouse user. It was optimized for speed, relative simplicity and compatibility first in mind. Jack of all trades, master of none. Explorer does look a bit cleaner, though. But from the classical MKB GUI point of view, I still much prefer Vista, to anything else. Too bad, it's no longer supported, attention to graphical user interface details was great (still have one box running for testing purposes).

Anyway, cmd and win x shortcuts are enough for me. Anything else can be modified via registry tweaks. Would be great however, if W10 came with a user-selectable GUI, now that would be awesome, not some 3rd party clutter that I don't need.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Its not really a 'phobia', more a case of liking good design and disliking bad design. In terms of usability, Windows 10's GUI isn't very good.

For example, the lack of borders and coloured title bars makes noticably harder to work out where windows begin and end. I'm starting to find that a complete pain, constantly having to stop for a fraction of a second to work out if that's another window on top or if its part of the underlying one.

It's just objectively inferior to windows 7, no 'phobia' involved. Maybe not as much as 8, but its still obviously a touch-screen/smart-phone interface.

I actually used classic shell with 7, but using it with 10 would just emphasize how bad the rest of the interface is - its the absurd washed-out white-on-white, near-borderless windows that are the bigger problem, rather than the just-about-tolerable start menu.

At some point I think I might just revert to 7, though it would be a shame to lose the under-the-hood improvements.

Do you have shadows or something turned off? It is very clear on my comptuer where each window starts and ends due to the shadow each window casts over the one below.

I will agree that Windows 10 is a little "plain" and I would like to see some form of Aero effect. I'm hoping that some 3rd party stuff comes out to pretty it up a bit at some point.

As far as usability, I find some stuff better and other stuff worse. A mixed bag. I forget what it was that I was looking for in 10 the other day and I couldn't find it (something in networking). I love that they brought back the toolbar (now ribbon) in Explorer with common commands like the copy, paste, etc that they removed back in Vista.

I wouldn't use Windows 8 for my main PC but I'm OK using 10 and after having had it for several months I'm happy enough with it to not revert to 7. I keep finding myself right clicking the start button on my Windows 7 work PC to get to stuff and that shortcut just ain't there!

 

[Ketchup]

I found that the default Personalization options were quite ugly after an upgrade. While they aren't what I would like, turning on options like transparency and shared colors make it more tolerable. And I don't choose to let Windows pick "accent" colors. MS is really bad at it.