Classic Shell Returns For Windows 11 (with and/or without) ExplorerPatcher installed


n9nu

ARS N9NU | N944LA
Local time
6:22 AM
Posts
9
Location
Plano, IL
OS
Windows 11 22H2 - Linux Debian Sid - FreeBSD 12.4-RC2
CLASSIC-SHELL IS BACK FOR WINDOWS 11


Just some FYI. The Open-Shell start menu is back and you might know that if you run it with ExplorerPatcher installed, you can use in any Windows 11 edition to replace that awful OEM start menu :p

Note: The newest version below seems to run on the Windows 11 Devel branch without ExplorerPatch installed.


image.png




A new version is near completion and will post when it's ready. I ave been told that some are even running .173 version on Win 11 without the Explorer mod installed. Let me know if this is the case for you.


Tim
ARS N9NU
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Developmental Branch -- Latest Release.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 - Linux Debian Sid - FreeBSD 12.4-RC2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebrew
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
    Motherboard
    ASRock X670E Taichi
    Memory
    Corsair CMK32GX5M2X6400C38 - 32GB DDR5-6400
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    Nvidia RTX 4090
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    Realtek ALC1220+Creative Labs
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    AOC 34' 144Hz G-Sync IPS
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    WQHD
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVME PCIE x 4 M2 Drive
    Corsair MP600 2TB NVME PCIE x 4 M2 Drive
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1350W PCIe 5.0
    Case
    Corsair Crystal 570X
    Cooling
    iCUE H100i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech G910 RGB
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Hero
    Internet Speed
    Symmetrical 2.5Gbit FTTH w/ Static IP- Metronet
    Browser
    Linux: Tor; Windows: Tor
    Antivirus
    Included w/ Win11 - Linux: Plesae....LOL
    Other Info
    Logitech X56 Flight Control System - HOTAS
Sweet!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 13900k, Intel UHD 770 integrated
    Motherboard
    MSI MEG Z790 ACE
    Memory
    32gb G.Skill Trident Z5 6600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    EVGA Nu Audio, Razer Kraken V3 Pro, Realtek Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 38GN950-B, Benq EX3415R nano IPS monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600, 3440X1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro, Samsung 850 Pro, Crucial MX500, WD Black SN700, WD Black 8tb HD
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova G2 1300w
    Case
    Thermaltake Level 20 XT
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 ARGB in push/pull, Antec Prism X 120mm ARGB Fans x 15
    Keyboard
    Razer Huntsman Elite V1
    Mouse
    Corsair Dark Core Pro SE on an Asus ROG Balteus Qi pad
    Internet Speed
    450Mbps cable primary, 6Mbps secondary vdsl
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-Edge-IE secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    I sit on a Secret Lab Titan XL 2020 chair.😍
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2021 HP Omen
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
    Motherboard
    factory
    Memory
    16gb ddr 3200
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 3060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    onboard B&O
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" 144hz IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Hynix 512gb nvme ssd, WD Black SN850 2TB nvme ssd
    PSU
    factory
    Case
    factory
    Cooling
    factory with ARCTIC MX-6
    Mouse
    touchpad and Logitech wireless mouse
    Keyboard
    4 zone rgb
    Internet Speed
    WiFi 6, 1gb ethernet
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-IE and Edge secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
Thanks for the info. I do not use Open Shell anymore but I recommend it to a lot of prople that need it for the transition to 11.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Thanks for the info. I do not use Open Shell anymore but I recommend it to a lot of prople that need it for the transition to 11.
Whilst I preferred the W10 menu, in the end the W11 menu is not really that different (more so since live tiles got ditched).

People seem to get so worked up over a menu. A menu is just a list of items you run. The icons part are your favourites, and the rest you select from the a-z list.

People seem to forget the menu is a means to an end, not the end itself.

So, I would not recommend any 3rd party menu to a person transitioning to W11 as its menu works ok.

If people need a slicker menu (as you say), they can install one later. I rather dispute people really need a slicker menu but it is a bit like climbing Everest because it is there i.e. there are slicker menus, so they want one.

I doubt slicker menus seriously add anything in terms of overall productivity, and you always have hassle of needing to maintain a 3rd party menu.

The problem with this forum is we often lose sight of what vast majority of rest of the world will do - I bet way less than even 10% of total users would ever install a 3rd party menu. Look around all your "average" user friends - how many of them have a third party menu.

My experience most use the default menu (I have not seen a single instance of a third party menu). In the corporate world, I have never seen a 3rd party menu installed.

In fact, most of my friends have a mess of desktop icons but they don't care so long as they can click icon, run program.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
I'm sorry what is new here? Maybe I don't understand your post. Both of these programs have existed for quite a while.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
@cereberus I am in total agreement but some folks are so resistant to change and no amount of cajoling will convince them to try something new. I swear some of them would still be using XP if they could buy a new computer that had it. For the most part, I think it's because they are scared of computers in the first place. My husband is the worst of the bunch. He becomes a raving lunatic if there is the least little change in the appearance of his screen.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I have been using Open-Shell 4.1.1160 in Windows 11 without the Explorer Patch for about a year now and it has always worked. It first didn't work until I used the Custom Start button then it worked. I glad to see someone is updating it still.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit 22H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Z390 UD
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 77000 3.60
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z390 UD
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Two 27" Dell 4K monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    M.2 NVME SSD, 500 GB; Two 2TB Mechanical HDD's
    PSU
    850w PSU
    Case
    Cyberpower PC
    Cooling
    Water cooled
    Keyboard
    Backlit Cyberpower gamiong keyboard
    Mouse
    Backlit Cyberpower gaming mouse
    Internet Speed
    1 GB mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
I've been using CS/OS since W8 and love the features it offers over the standard menu.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 13900k, Intel UHD 770 integrated
    Motherboard
    MSI MEG Z790 ACE
    Memory
    32gb G.Skill Trident Z5 6600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 Gaming OC
    Sound Card
    EVGA Nu Audio, Razer Kraken V3 Pro, Realtek Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 38GN950-B, Benq EX3415R nano IPS monitors
    Screen Resolution
    3840x1600, 3440X1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro, Samsung 850 Pro, Crucial MX500, WD Black SN700, WD Black 8tb HD
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova G2 1300w
    Case
    Thermaltake Level 20 XT
    Cooling
    ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 420 ARGB in push/pull, Antec Prism X 120mm ARGB Fans x 15
    Keyboard
    Razer Huntsman Elite V1
    Mouse
    Corsair Dark Core Pro SE on an Asus ROG Balteus Qi pad
    Internet Speed
    450Mbps cable primary, 6Mbps secondary vdsl
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-Edge-IE secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
    Other Info
    I sit on a Secret Lab Titan XL 2020 chair.😍
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    2021 HP Omen
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
    Motherboard
    factory
    Memory
    16gb ddr 3200
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 3060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    onboard B&O
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" 144hz IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Hynix 512gb nvme ssd, WD Black SN850 2TB nvme ssd
    PSU
    factory
    Case
    factory
    Cooling
    factory with ARCTIC MX-6
    Mouse
    touchpad and Logitech wireless mouse
    Keyboard
    4 zone rgb
    Internet Speed
    WiFi 6, 1gb ethernet
    Browser
    Chrome primary, FF-IE and Edge secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 Premium
I have been using Open-Shell 4.1.1160 in Windows 11 without the Explorer Patch for about a year now and it has always worked. It first didn't work until I used the Custom Start button then it worked. I glad to see someone is updating it still.
Hmm I tried once but my WiN7 button is too small as the 11 button still shows in vertical
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    WiN11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom 775 System
    CPU
    Xeon E5450 3.0GHZ (OC 3.7GHZ)
    Motherboard
    ASUS PQ5-EM
    Memory
    8GB (2GBX4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD R5 430 2GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1TB|750GB USB, 3 SSDs 2 240GB 1 128GB, 750GB HDD
    PSU
    650WATT Rosewill
    Case
    Rosewill with side Window
    Cooling
    5 Fans and a big HSK for cpu
    Keyboard
    Rosewill RGB
    Mouse
    Rosewill RGB
    Internet Speed
    AT&T 150MB DL\UP
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    I'm lucky to even be here after 6yrs from my car accident
  • Operating System
    WiN10 LTSC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Hp 8460p
    CPU
    i7 2670QM 2.20GHZ
    Motherboard
    Hp 161C
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DUAL Channel
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 3000
    Sound Card
    Intel high Def (basically onboard)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    OS 128GB l Storage (caddy) 320GB
    PSU
    AC (IDK the watts)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    A USB 3.0 in the Express Card Slot
Using 4.4.170 , its the latest stable version , in Win11.
Works awsome , computing gives you more fun with this great software............ :wink:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    z97k
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Hard Drives
    3
    Cooling
    air
Yeah... PhotoGrid_Site_1660738553907.jpg
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    WiN11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom 775 System
    CPU
    Xeon E5450 3.0GHZ (OC 3.7GHZ)
    Motherboard
    ASUS PQ5-EM
    Memory
    8GB (2GBX4)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD R5 430 2GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1TB|750GB USB, 3 SSDs 2 240GB 1 128GB, 750GB HDD
    PSU
    650WATT Rosewill
    Case
    Rosewill with side Window
    Cooling
    5 Fans and a big HSK for cpu
    Keyboard
    Rosewill RGB
    Mouse
    Rosewill RGB
    Internet Speed
    AT&T 150MB DL\UP
    Browser
    FireFox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    I'm lucky to even be here after 6yrs from my car accident
  • Operating System
    WiN10 LTSC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Hp 8460p
    CPU
    i7 2670QM 2.20GHZ
    Motherboard
    Hp 161C
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DUAL Channel
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 3000
    Sound Card
    Intel high Def (basically onboard)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    OS 128GB l Storage (caddy) 320GB
    PSU
    AC (IDK the watts)
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    A USB 3.0 in the Express Card Slot
I swear some of them would still be using XP if they could buy a new computer that had it.
I have a friend like this, and he's proud of it, and has to mention his liking XP and still has a PC with XP that he uses everywhere we go. It's embarrassing to me, but I guess some folks like living back in 2001. :rolleyes:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Enterprise, 11 Pro, Win LTSB Enterprise, Win LTSC, Win 10 Pro Win 7 Pro.
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware PC
    CPU
    Intel i7 4790K
    Motherboard
    ASROCK Z97 EXTREME4
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 7770 2GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG UE57 Series 28-Inch 4K UHD
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2
    PSU
    EVGA 850 watt
    Case
    Alienware Area 51 Black Tower Case
    Keyboard
    HyperX - Alloy Elite 2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless
    Internet Speed
    1.2 GHz
    Browser
    Chrome
  • Haha
Reactions: WAI
It hasn't been anywhere!

Never used Explorer Patcher and have been using Open Shell since day 1 on Win 11 also 4.4.170 on 11 Beta, 11 Preview and Win10.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22H2 OS Build 22623.1095
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME B350-PLUS
    Memory
    16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 @3000Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS - GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB TUF GAMING OC
    Sound Card
    On Board Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    240GB PNY CS900 SSD - OS
    2 x 1TB Crucial MX500 SSD
    1 x 500GB Crucial MX300 SSD
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001-1ER164
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM008-2FR102
    PSU
    750 Watt Corsair TX750 Plus
    Case
    Cooler Master 690 III
    Cooling
    Akasa AK98 5 Case Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270 - wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech - M185 wireless
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 build 22621.900
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3881 - modified with SFX PSU fitted internally
    CPU
    Intel i5 - 10400
    Motherboard
    Dell 032w55 version A00
    Memory
    16GB of HyperX Fury @ 2133 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 6GB GTX 1060.
    Sound Card
    Builtin
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ACER KA241
    Screen Resolution
    1920x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    256GB SK hynix NVMe
    1TB Western Digital WD10EZEX-75WN4A1
    PSU
    Modular 450 Watt Corsair SF450 Platinum ( Mod to replace the Dell 265 Watt PSU)
    Case
    Inspiron Small Desktop
    Cooling
    Dell stock cooler
    Mouse
    Dell
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Internet Speed
    BT Fibre 75 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Use hardware KVM to switch monitors on three PCs and software (input director) to use mouse and keyboard on all 4 PCs.
I have a friend like this, and he's proud of it, and has to mention his liking XP and still has a PC with XP that he uses everywhere we go. It's embarrassing to me, but I guess some folks like living back in 2001. :rolleyes:
Jeez - I forgot XP was 21st century !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
@cereberus I am in total agreement but some folks are so resistant to change and no amount of cajoling will convince them to try something new. I swear some of them would still be using XP if they could buy a new computer that had it. For the most part, I think it's because they are scared of computers in the first place. My husband is the worst of the bunch. He becomes a raving lunatic if there is the least little change in the appearance of his screen.
Yeah - I have a 70 year old friend who whizzes around mobile ordering stuff, paying bills, watching movies, bbc iplayer etc, and knows how to use facebook far better than I do, but put her in front of a laptop, she is scared to press a button. It's a mindset thing - "computers are used by experts but anybody can use a mobile phone"

However, I feel a lot of folks here on this forum are quite capable of handling change but pride themselves on NOT using MS menus.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
@cereberus I am in total agreement but some folks are so resistant to change and no amount of cajoling will convince them to try something new. I swear some of them would still be using XP if they could buy a new computer that had it. For the most part, I think it's because they are scared of computers in the first place. My husband is the worst of the bunch. He becomes a raving lunatic if there is the least little change in the appearance of his screen.
I am living proof to the contrary. I can't stand the recent Explorer interface, I'm unable to be productive without OpenShell. However, I am far from being afraid of computers, I made very advanced modifications in the system. Also, it's not a problem with the switch, because when I was a kid (in the 2000s), my parents used an iMac G5, so I knew very little about Windows XP. The first Windows I experienced was Windows 10.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 21H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    Memory
    8 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
I have a friend like this, and he's proud of it, and has to mention his liking XP and still has a PC with XP that he uses everywhere we go. It's embarrassing to me, but I guess some folks like living back in 2001. :rolleyes:
This is no coincidence, because XP is one of the best Windows in terms of ergonomics (along with Windows 95 and NT4).

If I find a 2001 chair more comfortable than a 2021 chair of the same brand, that doesn't make me a backslider. For ergonomics, it's the same. There should be no consideration of mode and time, it goes against the very definition of ergonomics.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 21H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    Memory
    8 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
Whilst I preferred the W10 menu, in the end the W11 menu is not really that different (more so since live tiles got ditched).

People seem to get so worked up over a menu. A menu is just a list of items you run. The icons part are your favourites, and the rest you select from the a-z list.

People seem to forget the menu is a means to an end, not the end itself.

So, I would not recommend any 3rd party menu to a person transitioning to W11 as its menu works ok.

If people need a slicker menu (as you say), they can install one later. I rather dispute people really need a slicker menu but it is a bit like climbing Everest because it is there i.e. there are slicker menus, so they want one.

I doubt slicker menus seriously add anything in terms of overall productivity, and you always have hassle of needing to maintain a 3rd party menu.

The problem with this forum is we often lose sight of what vast majority of rest of the world will do - I bet way less than even 10% of total users would ever install a 3rd party menu. Look around all your "average" user friends - how many of them have a third party menu.

My experience most use the default menu (I have not seen a single instance of a third party menu). In the corporate world, I have never seen a 3rd party menu installed.

In fact, most of my friends have a mess of desktop icons but they don't care so long as they can click icon, run program.
I don't agree with you at all.

First, the interface of a system is not the system itself. The system itself is not supposed to depend on the interface. If so, that's a bad design. Look at the many GNU/Linux desktop environments.

Then, the one and only reason why less than 10% of users use a third-party menu is because most people don't know anything about computers. This does not mean that the menu is good. If someone has a problem with a menu (Windows 10 or Windows 11), I immediately advise them to install OpenShell. A problem --> a solution. It's just a logical reasoning, wanting in principle not to install a third-party menu is dogmatic.
Personally, I never use the A/Z list, because it wastes time My programs and my favorite sites are classified by category. Likewise, messing up icons on the desktop is the best way to get distracted from work.
Finally, OpenShell causes no damage to the system, it's even the opposite, since the OpenShell menu consumes much less RAM than the original menu. With OpenShell installed, just rename (in Windows 10, in Windows 11 it might be different) StartMenuExperienceHost.exe. You will notice in passing that the Windows start menu is a separate process, just like OpenShell. So technically the OpenShell menu is no less native. This is technically equivalent to changing your phone ringtone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 21H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    Memory
    8 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
To a computer operator, either the owner or just a worker, the menu can make the difference between an easy day at work or a miserable day at work. It's all about the PC being User Friendly! If it's not User Friendly, then it's just another piece of over priced junk.

I walked into a school office one day and observed the lady at the desk entering a whole string of DOS commands into her PC in order to run Lotus 1.2.3. DBASE III was another matter all together.
She had the list of commands written down, but she had entered them so many times that she pretty well had them memorized.
But let a sub come into that office, and she would be lost.

I asked her if I could help her out, and save her some time, and she said "Sure!".
I sat down at her old IBM AT and in less than ten minutes I wrote her an Ansi Color menu where all she had to do is enter one number and press the enter key and her Program popped up on the screen.

She was ecstatic! Time saved and more work done.
I was actually there to pick up all the computers from their computer Lab, to take them for a tuneup, before school started for the year.

As for Windows 11, I used the same "Classic Shell" as I've used on Win-8.1 and Win-10. Works just fine.
I was sad that the original authors decided to abandon it, but I was glad again that some others picked it up and continued it.

For the newcomers who have never used DOS, or worked with a DOS menu, here's one I wrote years ago, back in Windows ME days.
Originally, this was on a 3.5" floppy disk.

ME boot from SD.jpg
A lot of work could be done, by just entering one number and pressing the ENTER key.

Menu's are just for the aid of the operator.
Cheers Mates!
TM :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-11/Pro/64, Optimum 11 V3, 23H2 22631.3085
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Made w/Gigabyte mobo/DX-10
    CPU
    AMD FX 6350 Six Core
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte, DX-10, GA-78LMT-USB3
    Memory
    Crucial, 16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Onboard, ATI Radeon HD 3000; NVIDEA GeForce 210, 1GB DDR3 Ram.
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Crucial SSD 500GB, SanDisk 126GB SSD, Toshiba 1TB HD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 W.
    Case
    Pac Man, Mid Tower
    Cooling
    AMD/OEM
    Keyboard
    101 key, Backlit/ Mechanical Switches/
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Wireless M310
    Internet Speed
    Hughes Net speed varies with the weather
    Browser
    Firefox 64x
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, Super Anti Spyware
    Other Info
    Given to me as DEAD, and irreparable.
    Rebuilt with Gigabyte mobo, AMD cpu, 16GB ram and 500GB Crucial SSD.
While Classic Shell works fine in Windows 10 and 11, I use Open Shell to get the latest. I have no problem using the default Windows 10 or 11 start menu, but I hate when I have to scroll through tens of applications to find the one I want to launch. I find the Windows 7 menu better organized and easier to use, so I also install Open Shell and set it to Windows 7 style for my friends. I also prefer the colorful Windows Vista/7 start button over the plain white default of newer Windows versions, so I replace that also. I use custom system icons almost everywhere, including the battery, network and sound icons. If these are grouped together (as is default in Windows 11) any custom icons are ignored and I see the original Windows 11 icons instead. So I have also installed Explorer Patcher to ungroup them and to restore the list of tools including Task Manager when you right-click on the taskbar. Having both Open Shell and Explorer Patcher installed, I didn't notice any issue. Latest Explorer Patcher fixes the bug of the network icon that would not work in the previous version. The latest version shows labels (such as Flight mode) instead of the respective icons, but this is a known issue and will be fixed.

For anyone interested, to replace the system icons, I use Customizer God. To get the Windows 7 start button and start menu I use Open Shell. This also gives the useful cut/copy/paste buttons in Explorer. To ungroup the battery network and sound icons and restore the right-click menu with Task Manager I use Explorer Patcher. To also replace the Windows 11 icons in classic System Properties and in Windows Version, I use Resource Hacker. To see the classic System Properties window you must create a new folder and then rename it with a specific code as the name, I don't have the code handy.
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 64-bit (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    VDSL 50 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro v23H2 (build 22631.3235)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    Gainward NE5105T018G1-1070F (nVidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Patriot Burst Elite 480GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Stock Intel CPU Fan, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Mouse
    Sunnyline OptiEye PS/2
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Internet Speed
    100Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4

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