OpenShell Tutorial: Turn Windows 11's Start Menu Back Into What You're Used To
OpenShell: Bring Back the Windows 7 Start Menu You Loved
Solves in one sentence: Don’t like Windows 11’s Start Menu? OpenShell lets you switch back to the classic style with one click, customizable to your satisfaction.
Since Windows 8, Microsoft has been constantly tinkering with the Start Menu. Tiles, full screen, lists… every update changes it. But many long-time users still think Windows 7’s clean two-column Start Menu was the best.
If you feel the same way, OpenShell is your answer.
What is OpenShell?
OpenShell (formerly Classic Shell) is an open source Start menu replacement tool. On top of Windows 10/11, it provides an additional set of classic styles (Windows 7/XP/Classic three modes) for the Start Menu.
The core problem it solves: Turn a Start Menu you don’t like into one you do.
What Makes It Great?
Scenario 1: Choose Your Preferred Style
OpenShell offers three basic styles:
- Windows 7 Style: Frequently used programs on the left, system features on the right, with search box
- Windows XP Style: Single-column classic menu
- Classic Style: Minimalist text menu
Pick whichever looks best to you.
Scenario 2: Extreme Customization
If the defaults still aren’t enough, OpenShell’s configuration panel is incredibly detailed — you can:
- Add or remove menu items, decide what shows and what doesn’t
- Adjust icon sizes and arrangement
- Change the Start button icon (or even use a custom one)
- Control hover behavior
- Set search scope and behavior
You might find yourself spending more time configuring it than actually using it.
Scenario 3: Disable Features You Don’t Want
OpenShell can also turn off some Windows native features: like “Recent Documents,” “Recommended Items,” Bing search integration, and more. If some Windows feature annoys you, OpenShell might have a switch to disable it.
Competitor Comparison
| Comparison | OpenShell | Start11 | StartAllBack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free & Open Source | $6.99 | $5.99 |
| Style Options | 3 basic styles | Multiple modern styles | 2 styles |
| Customization | Extremely high | High | Medium |
| Windows 11 Compatible | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Other Optimization Features | None | Some | Many (Taskbar/Explorer) |
| Updates | Community maintained | Commercial | Commercial |
OpenShell is best for: Users who don’t want to pay, only need to change the Start Menu, and enjoy tinkering with settings.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open source, no ads, no bundling
- Extremely rich customization options
- Three classic styles to choose from
- Good performance, doesn’t slow down the system
- Active community maintenance
Cons
- Too many configuration options — new users may not know where to start
- Interface style is somewhat dated; users seeking modern aesthetics may not like it
- Occasional minor compatibility issues on Windows 11
- Only affects the Start Menu, unlike StartAllBack which can modify the taskbar
Download & Installation
- GitHub Releases (Recommended): https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu/releases
- Download the latest
OpenShellSetup_x64.exeinstaller
- Download the latest
- During installation, select the components you want — it’s recommended to install all
- After installation, press the Win key to launch the configuration wizard
Note: Make sure to download from the official GitHub repository, not from third-party download sites that may bundle malware.
Quick Start
- Download and install the package
- The “Classic Start Menu” configuration wizard will automatically open after installation
- Choose your preferred style (recommend starting with Windows 7 style)
- Press the Win key to see your new menu
- Not satisfied? Right-click the Start button → Settings to continue tweaking
- Don’t forget to add your常用 programs under “Customize Start Menu”
Conclusion
OpenShell is one of those “can’t go back once you’ve tried it” tools. If you think Windows 11’s Start Menu design isn’t working for you, don’t suffer through it — spend ten minutes installing OpenShell and give it a try. Even if you discover you still prefer the default menu, OpenShell has given you the opportunity to make a choice.
In one sentence: Get back the Start Menu you love.