What Start Menu replacement software do you use?


My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
I use Start Menu X

Start Menu X for windows 11

Start Menu Х is a replacement of the system menu for professionals.
www.startmenux.com

No scrolling, multiple ways to group items, rapid launch of a customized set of items.

Lightweight no drain at all.
 

Attachments

  • 1.webp
    1.webp
    297.7 KB · Views: 5
  • 2.webp
    2.webp
    47.4 KB · Views: 6

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custome built
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-14900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Pro WS W680-ACE
    Memory
    Crucial RAM 128 GB Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS PHOENIX NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 V2 OC Edition
None
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    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
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP 24" AiO
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5825u
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    64GB DDR4 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Ryzen 7 5825u
    Sound Card
    RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HP AiO
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB WD Blue SN580 M2 SSD Partitioned.
    2x 1TB USB HDD External Backup/Storage.
    PSU
    90W external power brick
    Case
    24" All in One
    Cooling
    Default Air Cooling
    Keyboard
    HP WiFi UK extended
    Mouse
    HP WiFi 3 Button
    Internet Speed
    1GB full fibre
    Browser
    Edge & Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security/Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Mainly Open Source Software
  • Operating System
    Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 13" Latitude 2017
    CPU
    i5 7200u
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel
    Sound Card
    Intel
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13" Dell Laptop
    Hard Drives
    250GB Crucial 2.5" SSD
    Mouse
    Generic WiFi 3 button
    Internet Speed
    WiFi only
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    ClamAV TK
    Other Info
    Mainly Open Source Software
I've used ExplorerPatcher (EP) the whole time I've had Windows 11, primarily to have a Win10-style taskbar on the side instead of the bottom of my screen - screenshot of my well-loved taskbar is attached. But EP is apparently incompatible with 24H2 and newer feature updates, so I'm stuck on 23H2, and that will probably not be acceptable at some point. Which of the other tools mentioned here would do something similar with current updates of Windows 11? Bonus points if it also brings back the ability to organize the start menu's "pinned" apps in specific locations and groups, like Windows 10 did (EP can't do that, as far as I know.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI Modern 15 A5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" laptop display + LG 34" ultrawide
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 + 3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD
    Browser
    Firefox Portable
    Antivirus
    Avast! Antivirus Free
    Other Info
    PC, keyboard, and OS are Japan-based, but interface language is set to English for my convenience (American living in Japan).
OsakaWebbie said:
But EP is apparently incompatible with 24H2 and newer feature updates
Click to expand...
No, it is not.
I'm successfully using EP on two 25H2 computers.
Do the update and then install the latest version of EP.

I can't comment on the other Start menu topics you mentioned because I never use the Start menu. My Taskbar toolbars contain everything i need.
My ExplorerPatcher guide to Windows 11 Taskbar Toolbars [post #2225] - ElevenForum


Denis


Welcome to ElevenForum.

It's really worth making time to browse through the ElevenForum Tutorial index - there's a shortcut to it at the top of every ElevenForum page [within the Tutorials dropdown list].
- At the foot of the ElevenForum Tutorial index is a shortcut to download it as a spreadsheet.
- I download a new copy each month.
- By downloading it as a spreadsheet I can benefit from Excel's excellent filtering capabilities when I search for topics of interest.
- ElevenForum tutorials are also listed at Tutorials and there's a shortcut to that at the top of every page.

You can search ElevenForum using the search box in the top-right corner of all ElevenForum webpages or using Advanced Search - ElevenForum
- You can also search ElevenForum threads in many general search engines, such as Google, by adding site:elevenforum.com after your search term. For example,
Taskbar setup site:elevenforum.com
- [This is what the search box in the top-right corner of ElevenForum webpages does automatically]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.8037
StartAllBack 💯 best in my opinion.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 Pro Insider Beta (26220.8370), Kali Linux
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Victus 15
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
    Memory
    16GB (2x8GB) Dual Channel
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 3050
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1080p IPS 144Hz (Laptop Screen) + 3x 1080p 60Hz screens
    Screen Resolution
    4x 1920x1080 monitors
    Hard Drives
    M.2 NVMe 512GB Samsung - PCIe 4.0x4 - Main system drive

    USB-A and USB-C M.2 NVMe Enclosure with NVMe SSSTC 256GB - NVM Express 1.3 - Ventoy with all install files and all ISO images i use.

    USB External SSD Kingston XS100 1TB - USB 3.2 Gen 2 - WindowsToGo (Clone of my existing Sytem), and all games I play.

    USB External SSHD Seagate FireCuda 2TB - USB 3.0 - For Macrium system images, data, photos, stays always safe at home
    PSU
    200W
    Cooling
    Zalman ZM-NC3 Cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Dell KM7120W
    Mouse
    Dell KM7120W
    Internet Speed
    1Gb/s down / 500Mb/s up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Last year when I posted in this thread, I was using a customized WinX menu, but few months ago I've come up with an app of my own called WinMac Menu, which generates it's own highly customizable menus. Here's how my Start Menu looks like now with addition of toolbar:

explorer_bE1jglCULm.gif
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (WinMac v1.4.0)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-12400F
    Motherboard
    B760 GAMING X DDR4
    Memory
    16 GB (DDR4, 3200 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 @ 240Hz
    Other Info
    I loved modding and customizing operating systems since very young age, gaining experience from all important systems, including Windows, Ubuntu, MacOS and Android, which led to creation of Windows 11 mod called WinMac. Seamlessly blending the elegance of macOS with the versatility of Windows, my customized interface elevates user experience through meticulously crafted modifications and UI enhancements.

    With WinMac, every interaction with Windows 11 environment is imbued with a touch of sophistication, where the boundaries between the Windows and Mac universes blur, offering a sublime computing experience that transcends conventional limitations of Windows 11.
  • Operating System
    macOS Sonoma
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook Pro
    CPU
    Apple M3 Pro
    Memory
    18 GB
asteski said:
Last year when I posted in this thread, I was using a customized WinX menu, but few months ago I've come up with an app of my own called WinMac Menu, which generates it's own highly customizable menus. Here's how my Start Menu looks like now with addition of toolbar:

View attachment 157516
Click to expand...
You ought to create your own thread.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    All Branches but Release
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Nitro ANV15-51
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 3200-4500 Mhz 8 cores x 2
    Motherboard
    Sportage_RBH
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphic / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    AMD/Realtek(R) Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Integrated Monitor (15.3"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    FHD 1920X1080 16:9 144Hz
    Hard Drives
    KINGSTON OM8SEP4512Q-AA 1TB
    Western Digital 256GB
    PSU
    19V DC 6.32 A 120 W
    Cooling
    Dual Fans
    Mouse
    MS Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Fiber 1GB Cox -us & 1GB Orange-fr
    Browser
    Edge Canary- Firefox Nightly-Chrome Dev-Chrome Dev
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Beta
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X751BP
    CPU
    AMD A9-9420
    Memory
    8 GB of DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R5
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1 TB
OAT said:
You ought to create your own thread.
Click to expand...
That's a good idea! I'm currently working on documentation which will describe examples of use cases, so when I'll finish this I'll create a new thread.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (WinMac v1.4.0)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-12400F
    Motherboard
    B760 GAMING X DDR4
    Memory
    16 GB (DDR4, 3200 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 @ 240Hz
    Other Info
    I loved modding and customizing operating systems since very young age, gaining experience from all important systems, including Windows, Ubuntu, MacOS and Android, which led to creation of Windows 11 mod called WinMac. Seamlessly blending the elegance of macOS with the versatility of Windows, my customized interface elevates user experience through meticulously crafted modifications and UI enhancements.

    With WinMac, every interaction with Windows 11 environment is imbued with a touch of sophistication, where the boundaries between the Windows and Mac universes blur, offering a sublime computing experience that transcends conventional limitations of Windows 11.
  • Operating System
    macOS Sonoma
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook Pro
    CPU
    Apple M3 Pro
    Memory
    18 GB
OpenShell none of Microsoft's post Windows 7 Start Menu's have been good. I run the classic two column start menu from the Windows XP era.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Education For 25H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP ZBook G2
    CPU
    Intel® Core i7 5500u
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Family Graphics 5500 AMD Firepro 4150M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Audio
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Mouse
    HP USB Mouse
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro For Workstations 25H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Zbook G4
    CPU
    Xeon 1535m v6
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Quadro Pro 4100
    Sound Card
    Bang and Olufson Audio
    Hard Drives
    1TB SSD
    Mouse
    HP USB Mouse
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
NormanF said:
OpenShell none of Microsoft's post Windows 7 Start Menu's have been good. I run the classic two column start menu from the Windows XP era.
Click to expand...
thats what windhawk is for (although now you can actually have 2, albeit stacked vertically, columns by default in 25h2

1766246648063.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
Open Shell with SAB............. (y)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows11 Pro 25H2
    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
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET
pietcorus2 said:
Open Shell with SAB............. (y)
Click to expand...
But SAB already has few Start Menus to choose from. I'm curios what benefit does Open-Shell gives here, besides configuring start button behavior.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (WinMac v1.4.0)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-12400F
    Motherboard
    B760 GAMING X DDR4
    Memory
    16 GB (DDR4, 3200 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 @ 240Hz
    Other Info
    I loved modding and customizing operating systems since very young age, gaining experience from all important systems, including Windows, Ubuntu, MacOS and Android, which led to creation of Windows 11 mod called WinMac. Seamlessly blending the elegance of macOS with the versatility of Windows, my customized interface elevates user experience through meticulously crafted modifications and UI enhancements.

    With WinMac, every interaction with Windows 11 environment is imbued with a touch of sophistication, where the boundaries between the Windows and Mac universes blur, offering a sublime computing experience that transcends conventional limitations of Windows 11.
  • Operating System
    macOS Sonoma
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook Pro
    CPU
    Apple M3 Pro
    Memory
    18 GB
I think many users still like OpenShell, (aka ClassicShell), cuz it's one of the 'founding fathers' of this Start Menu Rebellion!!! :cool:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
Try3 said:
No, it is not.
I'm successfully using EP on two 25H2 computers.
Do the update and then install the latest version of EP.
Click to expand...
Okay, I'll try sometime when I'm not in the middle of urgent projects, in case things go sideways. I have exported my EP settings, so hopefully importing them after reinstall will smooth the process.

Try3 said:
I can't comment on the other Start menu topics you mentioned because I never use the Start menu. My Taskbar toolbars contain everything i need.
My ExplorerPatcher guide to Windows 11 Taskbar Toolbars [post #2225] - ElevenForum
Click to expand...
I'd never even heard of "taskbar toolbars" before. But because I use the taskbar on the side, I have less space, so I'll continue to use the start menu for all but the most frequent items in order to allow space for the icons of open apps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI Modern 15 A5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" laptop display + LG 34" ultrawide
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 + 3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD
    Browser
    Firefox Portable
    Antivirus
    Avast! Antivirus Free
    Other Info
    PC, keyboard, and OS are Japan-based, but interface language is set to English for my convenience (American living in Japan).
OsakaWebbie said:
in order to allow space for the icons of open apps
Click to expand...
OK but my pair of Taskbar Toolbars only use up about an inch of my Taskbar [which I have at the bottom of the screen].
Taskbar Toolbars.webp

If I move the Taskbar to the side then the Taskbar Toolbars use up about the same small amount until I click on them. I could avoid them covering up the Taskbar when they are in use by leaving them in their default position of the bottom end of the Taskbar.


Denis
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.8037
asteski said:
But SAB already has few Start Menus to choose from. I'm curios what benefit does Open-Shell gives here, besides configuring start button behavior.
Click to expand...
Scroll through all of Open-Shell's settings tabs for two minutes. I think you'll easily find the answer. lol
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    What's an antivirus?
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2024)
    CPU
    i7 13650HX
    Memory
    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
    Antivirus
    What's an antivirus?
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    30Mbit/s up, 500Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Start menu x The start menu replacement
Replies
0
Views
2K
Krzysztof Micha
K

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom