At this point the winner of this category is hopefully quite clear, as Start8 is much easier to use and configure than Classic Shell. This is not to say Classic Shell is like a Rubik’s Cube or something, impossible to decipher and poorly coded. It’s not at all, it’s just that we’ve gotten used to UIs that are a bit more intuitive than the “classic” menus we used to wade through into the wee hours of the morning. The downside to Start8’s simplicity and ease of use is that it has fewer options than Classic Shell, but we’re fine with that. Classic Shell also has a “simple” mode that offers just basic tweaks, but once you dive in deeper, things can get somewhat confusing.
Winner: Start8
This category is pretty cut-and-dried, as Classic Shell is free and Start8 costs $5. In the name of rational decision-making, we’re calling this one for Classic Shell, but also feel the need to point out that $5 is still a great price for Start8, as it may just be the best bang-for-your-buck piece of software Windows 8 users ever install. We’re not sure at this early stage how popular, or unpopular, the Windows 8 Metro UI will be, but our guess is that a lot of people will miss the familiar Start button, making these apps essential. And Start8 feels like a fully formed piece of commercial software, whereas Classic Shell is as rough around the edges as you would expect. We’re not complaining—it is free, after all—but one look at it and you know it’s freeware.
Winner: Classic Shell
This is a nail-biter, because both of these apps execute their primary mandate quite well while being easy to navigate and totally affordable. If you just want your old Start menu back, Classic Shell offers a quick and easy remedy to your dilemma, and the fact that it’s free removes all risk from the decision to try it. That said, we prefer Start8 even though it costs $5, because it is so polished that it looks and feels like a Windows Power Toy, and we like being able to open a mini version of Metro, too. It’s also easier to use and configure, and provides more than enough functionality to justify its price.
Comments are closed on this article
nauc
March 18, 2013 at 11:40pm
i bought w8 because its startup is a lot faster (for me anyway) than w7. i dont use Metro much, but its nice to have access to a bunch of apps. and Start8 is great for $5. i tried a bunch of other companies versions of the Start button, but didnt like them
i still dont get why MS made an OS with a desktop AND the Metro screen (or Modern UI, or whatever the hell youre supposed to call it).
why not just make an OS with a desktop that you can stick apps on. i dont need 2 desktops to flip back and forth from
dumb
what do you wanna bet, w9 will be like that ;)
roberto.tomas
March 14, 2013 at 8:51am
The start button not being where it was before is a complete non-issue. Exactly where the start button was before, you can right-click to get a system menu (for things like computer management or control panel). Or, mouse to that corner and a little pop-up button appears that you can click and switch to the Metro UI, which you can use as the applications list from the old start menu.
— It really is almost not a change at all. —
I don't know why the press is so universally panning it, because everyone I've talked to about it thinks it is nice, kinda fresh.
John Pombrio
March 15, 2013 at 1:36am
I stay strictly in the desktop and I found that I really DO use the Start menu a lot more than I thought I did. Yes, all the functions can be found in other places and in other ways but why? The Start button with all its goodness is RIGHT THERE!
Start8 is definitely the way to go. When I showed my friend, he went home and immediately bought it.
Funny thing. I loaded up Ubuntu 12.2 LTS on my son's newly built computer when he comes to pick it up for college this weekend. Meantime, my friend and I played with it for 2-3 hours to pick its brains and see how useful it was. We were looking for a recently installed program and we both said "where is the start button?" at the same time.
Granite
March 14, 2013 at 9:32am
There are some people who...when you take that familiar little button away from them...tend to go completely apeshit.
justauser
March 13, 2013 at 10:22pm
If you want to regularly enter your registration information, which you must in order to have a functioning PC. Then start8 is for you. Constantly tells me to register. Start8 stops working and it locks you out of the Windows Metro Start if you do not register, which is lame. You either register or uninstall. Stadock Sucks it should be free for the trouble it causes alone.
John Pombrio
March 15, 2013 at 1:38am
Wha? it's NEVER asked me to register after I bought it 6 months ago. You are doing something funky.
TechW
March 13, 2013 at 3:05pm
I don't know about the rest of you, but I need to base my decision on what will be easy, work well and look good for my clients. So, even though I might be okay with complex and not polished, by and large, my clients are not. So, after having tried it out I will be recommending Start8.
mellamojay
March 13, 2013 at 11:44am
The conclusion of this head to head makes zero sense as it has multiple categories that Start8 won based on criteria that does not matter.
Round 1 Installation: Tie - Makes sense since they both can be Click next,Click next,Click next,Done installs.
Round 2 Options - Makes sense since it has way more options.
Round 3 Functionality - DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. How can Start8 win the functionality round when it provides less options for manipulation? This objectively means that it does not have the functionality to serve very specific use cases. If this category is just the basic functionality of providing a start button then it should be a tie as BOTH programs provide the requested function or a WIN for Classic Shell based on its ability to be modified to suit very specific needs where Start8 can not. The easier to understand interface is something that should be attributed to the ease of use round, NOT the functionality round.
Round 4 Ease of use - Depending on if this is ease of use of the standard function or of the entire package, this should be a tie or a win for Start8. If its just the ease of use of the start button itself then this should be a tie... you click and have a start button... both are the same. If its the ease of use of the whole package then Start8 wins because of the ease of use in the options area as noted in round 3.
Round 5 Price - Makes sense since Classic Shell is free.
So the score should be:
1 - Tie
2 - Classic Shell
3 - Classic Shell
4 - Start8 or a Tie
5 - Classic ShellThe ONLY advantage of Start8 is the ease of use in the options menu. That's it. And considering this is MaximumPC that criteria should hold little to no water considering the demographic of the readers. This should be a CLEAR WIN for Classic Shell.
John Pombrio
March 15, 2013 at 1:40am
Bull. There are tons of other options in Start8 that MPC did NOT mention that definitely puts it in the winners side.
anonymuos
March 18, 2013 at 3:08am
Maybe you didn't look at the number of settings Classic Shell has to offer. It beats any Start Menu on the market and is the most customizable one out there. That alone puts it on the winners side. Maybe you have only "Basic Settings" option enabled and didn't check out "All Settings"?
someuid
March 13, 2013 at 9:45am
While the rest of you are futsing around with Windows 8 and Metro, and spending money on Start Menu replacements, I spent the other day on Windows 7 with Youtube videos playing on one screen, Minecraft on another screen, EVEMon on the other screen, and popping in and out of the file system and other applications faster than a jack rabbit.
I got stuff done, and watched videos, and made use of an experince farm, and planned out training plans, and, and, and, and, while you all stared at your 24" Mail App on Windows 8 or goofed around with Start Menu options.
Anyone using Win8 and thinking they are productive or cool is just an amatuer with computers. Go back to your silly iPhones and Android OSes where you have a 1-3 buttons, full screen apps, and simple UIs that keep you from getting confused or screwing up your little hand held device. Leave the real computers to the real men and women who use Windows 7 or MacOS or Linux or Unix, or any other OS that spends its time helping you get stuff done vs trying to jam square pegs into round holes all in the name of lofty profits from some barren wasteland called Microsoft's app store.
Exarkun1138
March 13, 2013 at 10:26am
I was just going to let your comment slide by as one from someone who has no idea what he's/she's talking about, but sorry, I am AS PRODUCTIVE on my Windows 8 setup as any version of Windows before it. I have a Triple Monitor Setup, and I have open, at any given time, Outlook 2013, ConnectWise, Firefox(with multiple sites open), IE with work sites open, Pandora music client playing, and Titan Quest or some other game running. Windows 8 runs just as well as Windows 7 did, and with Modern UI Apps running as well(WhatsmyIP, Weather Radar etc.), I actually have MORE running at any given time than what I could do in Windows 7.
Is Windows 8 better than 7? Depends on what you want and what you expect. I get what I need from Windows 8, and I have no issues with it what-so-ever.
But to arbitrarily say that Windows 8 users are "amateurs with computers" is just plain ignorant on your part.
John Pombrio
March 15, 2013 at 1:44am
Win8 desktop is a much better program than Win7. It is not as big a leap as Win7 from XP but noticeably better. I groan when I have to go back to my Win7 HTPC to do something as I am spoiled.
someuid
March 13, 2013 at 11:11am
If your entire basis that Win8 allows you to run more software than you could on Win7 is WhatsMyIP and Weather Radar, then my point stands: amateurs who have to go to great lenghts to convince themselves and others that Windows 8 is better than Windows 7.
UI stands for User Interface. USER INTERFACE. It is supposed to be specifically designed to help you interact with the computer. To quickly call up programs, display information, take advantage of all input devices, and offer you options and choices in window layout and task reduction. It is supposed to be consitant in layout and design and be seamless in menu structures and control elements.
Unfortunately Microsoft thinks it means "everyone go learn something new so we can force you into our appstore and make even more money off you."
Metro is a joke. It does zero to help you get your job done. The ribbon UI is a joke. All they are doing is churning software for the sake of churning software. The fact that you managed to train yourself to do it the New Microsoft Way only means you're deluding yourself that you know what to do with a computer.
Exarkun1138
March 13, 2013 at 11:38am
Excuse me, but you missed the point entirely. I said that I am as productive with Windows 8 as with Windows 7. I run the same programs I did before, BUT, I can also run the Modern UI Apps as well, at the same time. Just another area of flexibility that I have in Windows 8. If I run ONLY PROGRAMS from the Desktop UI in Windows 8, it runs as smoothly as they did in Windows 7.
Your contention is that Windows 8 does not run as smooth as Windows 7. I haven't had that issue. Windows 8 runs fine, FOR ME, and runs like Windows 7 in the Desktop UI. Modern UI adds another layer of programs that run independently from the Desktop UI. Now, do I use Modern UI much? No. I don't. Just like I rarely used the START menu in Windows 7. I do almost all of my work from the Desktop UI in Windows 8. I DO, however, have the ability to run Modern UI Apps if I wish.
Also, you need to drop the "holier than thou" attitude just because YOU have an issue with Windows 8, then anyone using Windows 8 is an idiot or amateur because YOU don't like it.
If YOU don't like Windows 8, so be it. I'm not telling you to use it. Stick with Windows 7 if that's what floats your boat. I have personally not had any issues using Windows 8 and I like it. 'Nuff said.....
Granite
March 13, 2013 at 10:12am
Ummm...
If you think the same cannot be done in Win8, then you don't know much about it.
In fact, you can do much more with Win8.
I only have two monitors, but at the moment, I have three browsers open, each with multiple tabs, two directory folders open and a video capture program running. Oh, and Crysis 3. That's just on the desktop. In Modern UI, I have TuneIn playing some classical guitar music.
One pretty cool feature is taking screenshots. I press Winkey+Prtscrn and my whole display (both monitors) is immediately saved to the screenshot folder. Of course, I only want the part that shows the Crysis3 screen, but no problem. I pop into Modern UI, open an app, and in about five clicks I have my Crysis screenshot cropped out and saved.
Believe me...anything you can do in Win7, I can do in Win8...plus more.
Oh...and I haven't needed to use the start button once.
someuid
March 13, 2013 at 11:24am
You have two monitors and still need two desktops: Modern UI and the traditional desktop? I have all that on two screens with a single Win 7 desktop. How is your switching between desktops better?
And if more desktops are better, then why are you using Linux? They get FOUR DESKTOPS as a default on a single screen.
I don't use the start button either. I have everything I need pinned to the taskbar right down there. Click and I'm in the program. Guess what - I can start another program without using hot corners! Or minimizing the current program.
No, you're just an amateur computer user. No remote desktops, no AD Users and Computers. No command prompts. No remote event viewers or remote registry sessions open.
Granite
March 13, 2013 at 5:34pm
I don't NEED two desktops and I never said I did. Perhaps you should learn to read and respond to what you've read.
What I DID say was that I can do everything you say YOU can do in Win7...PLUS...I have all the features of the Modern UI...PLUS...the features of Win8 that you'll never have in Win7 unless you add another layer of programming on top of your OS...PLUS...everything I do, whether in traditional desktop or Modern UI, works better in Win8 than in Win7...if Win7 were able to do everything Win8 can do, that is. (it can't) The fact is, Win8 is a souped up version of Win7 with the added benefit of the Modern UI.
You know, you are all into calling anyone who uses Win8 an amateur...even though they can do the same...and more...than you can with your old Win7. Well, I'm here to tell you to take your "amateur" attitude and stick it up your ass.
Exarkun1138
March 13, 2013 at 11:43am
Your Quote:
"No, you're just an amateur computer user. No remote desktops, no AD Users and Computers. No command prompts. No remote event viewers or remote registry sessions open."
Guess what, you obviously have NEVER used Windows 8. I have Remote Desktop, AD Users and Computers, Command Prompts, remote event viewers, and remote registry sessions. This is in Windows 8.
This just shows me now that you saw Windows 8 advertised, heard the bad press and ran with it. Next time, please USE an OS before you diss it. It will give credence to your arguments in the future.
iwolbers
March 13, 2013 at 9:14am
First of all great comparison! I found your article very useful.
We are doing a server upgrade at work and upgrading to Windows server 2012. Based on your review I am going to try Start8 on the servers, I believe it should be compatible.
I currently run Windows 7 on my regular work PC and remote into the server(s) for an hour or so a day (short cut keys are not as easy to use via RDC). For me it would take too long to get used to the new design and switching back and forth when I need use the server(s) would frustrate me.On a side note: Although I get Microsoft wanting to push their new UI to the end user Windows platform I am puzzled why they also pushed it to the Windows Server platforms as a mandatory feature, that decision does not make a whole lot of sense to me...
macmooda
March 13, 2013 at 9:07am
What about Start Menu 8 from Iobit????? They make a great windows start button for windows 8. It looks and acts just like the one from windows 7 and the best thing is it is totally free!!!! It disables metro and all the hot corners, allows you to boot right to the desktop, and has many other features. You all should check it out. There is a great review for it on youtube. Just type the hacker 0007 and start menu 8 in a search on youtube. Thanks.
http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php
anonymuos
March 13, 2013 at 8:49am
Classic Shell was created to fix the usability of the Windows 7 menu itself so comparing it against a Windows 7-menu clone like Start8 seems pointless. Classic Shell is usability focused - be it mouse or keyboard and it allows you to fine-tune the menu to what suits your usability best.
fung0
March 13, 2013 at 10:47am
Classic Shell offers numerous improvements over the Win7 Start Menu, and even over the WinXP Start menu. It also enhances Explorer in some really welcome ways, and does a few things to make IE less horrible... if anyone cares.
Whereas Start 8, to judge by the images, returns us only to the already hideously-broken 'keyhole' Start menu of Win7, and stops there. It therefore seems flatly incorrect to say "there’s little functionality lost between the two." (I'm sure someone will politely correct me if I'm mistaken.)
Remind me again: if I valued slick dialogs more than config options and extra features, why would I be reading a site called "MAXIMUM PC?"
DoctorX
March 13, 2013 at 8:04am
I was going to comment... but all you metro lovers just want to make me puke. I have tried it and still hate it. I tried it again and still hate it even more. Get over yourselves and quit slamming everyone else. Windows 7 handles more than 4 cores poorly and win8 handles more than 4 cores much better. Very nice uptick in performance on my hexacore. Since win7 will never see sp2, our only choice for a new kernel is windows 8. Being able to customize it to our liking is our prerogative. I have customized every windows desktop since 95 because I do not particularly like the UI. I can live with the stock, but every chance I get to customize the UI to my own tastes. If i do not want Metro, then that is my decision. For all of you that say I never tried it, I have been running win8 since CP. I rather liked how RP looked, but rtm is just meh. STFU with your asinine comments like "get over the loss of your start button, it's not coming back learn to use what they gave you." I have never just was satisfied with what they gave me. I hacked the gui in winxp so i can run other themes instead of the few that microsoft saw fit to bless for us. Same with Vista... I tweaked the ui in windows 7 from default (different start menu, etc), but mostly liked it. Most of us have done this that used more than windows 7. If you are not old enough to have used more than one os, then GTFO and STFU.
Personally i have used both classic shell and start8 and i just find start8 is more polished. Hell, you can even have the metro start screen as a menu if so wanted.
Exarkun1138
March 13, 2013 at 6:15am
Personally, I don't see the need for any of this. I like the way Windows 8 looks and feels. It's fast. It's very stable. The Modern UI is no big deal, for me. I'm not in the Start Menu that much to concern myself with these utilities. I didn't use the Start Menu that much when I had previous iterations of Windows. It's nice, for me, to have something new and fresh to mess around with, and not have the "same ole" experience.
Now, for those who hate it, I guess these solutions work for you. Or, if that isn't a viable solution, just stick with Windows 7. All 3 of my computers are running Windows 8, and I have no problem with it.
But, since we all aren't the same, just because I like it, doesn't mean the next person will. So, as with so many aspects in the "PC" world, we have a choice to do what we want, and if Modern UI is not your bag, then these options should suffice......or, as I said above, stick with Windows 7.
JeffDenver
March 13, 2013 at 7:52am
Windows 8 adds unnecessary footwork to common tasks for the sake of a prettier UI. Thats why I use classic shell.
There is nothing that the Metro interface makes easier or faster. It takes more clicks and more scrolling to do the same stuff.
The wheel did not need to be reinvented. Windows 7 already had an awesome UI. It was stable, pretty, and most of all, functional.
Exarkun1138
March 13, 2013 at 8:17am
I didn't say you had to use it. Read my response again. I said that for some people, like myself, Windows 8 and Modern UI are no big deal. For others, it is, and these solutions work for them.
See, I'm not one who gets all worked up over changes to Windows. I just use it and make the most of each iteration. I was Windows 7, and now I'm 8. Functionality wise, it's not that much different, but it does have some changes, for better or worse depending on your perspective, and Modern UI is one area of the most contention. As I said in my response, I, as in ME, have no issues with it. I don't USE START or Modern UI enough to worry about it.
The Desktop in Windows 8 functions very much like previous versions, other than a Start Button. My boot times ARE faster, and there are various new features I do like, such as Native ISO support/mounting. All-in-all, for ME, I have no problem with Windows 8. If you do, then stick with Windows 7 or XP or whatever version is comfortable for YOU. I'm not telling you that you have to go Windows 8 just because I like it.
joshnorem
March 12, 2013 at 11:10pm
For those asking, "Why didn't you include application XYZ?" This was a head-to-head in the magazine, and these two programs were/are the most popular at the time. I'm using ClassicShell on my work machine simply because I'm frugal but think objectively Start8 is the better program of the two.
mellamojay
March 13, 2013 at 9:34am
The conclusion of this head to head makes zero sense as it has multiple categories that Start8 won based on criteria that does not matter.
Round 1 Installation: Tie - Makes sense since they both can be Click next,Click next,Click next,Done installs.
Round 2 Options - Makes sense since it has way more options.
Round 3 Functionality - DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. How can Start8 win the functionality round when it provides less options for manipulation? This objectively means that it does not have the functionality to serve very specific use cases. If this category is just the basic functionality of providing a start button then it should be a tie as BOTH programs provide the requested function or a WIN for Classic Shell based on its ability to be modified to suit very specific needs where Start8 can not. The easier to understand interface is something that should be attributed to the ease of use round, NOT the functionality round.
Round 4 Ease of use - Depending on if this is ease of use of the standard function or of the entire package, this should be a tie or a win for Start8. If its just the ease of use of the start button itself then this should be a tie... you click and have a start button... both are the same. If its the ease of use of the whole package then Start8 wins because of the ease of use in the options area as noted in round 3.
Round 5 Price - Makes sense since Classic Shell is free.
So the score should be:
1 - Tie
2 - Classic Shell
3 - Classic Shell
4 - Start8 or a Tie
5 - Classic ShellThe ONLY advantage of Start8 is the ease of use in the options menu. That's it. And considering this is MaximumPC that criteria should hold little to no water considering the demographic of the readers. This should be a CLEAR WIN for Classic Shell.
OpTicaL
March 12, 2013 at 11:09pm
I was curious why ClassicShell was not included in this month's R&D HOW TO review.
JeffDenver
March 13, 2013 at 7:54am
We want the guts of Windows 8 without the UI baggage of Metro.
Windows 8 is faster and more stable and has better compatibility modes. Why must we be saddled with that crappy UI to have those things?
bigrigross
March 13, 2013 at 5:25am
And the loser is.... Someone missing out on a smoother and more secure windows experience.
I hate when people bash it because they have used it only for 30 minutes or so. I have start8 on it and now its 100% better than Windows 7.
Zanshi
March 13, 2013 at 5:20pm
I used it for a lot longer than that. Windows 8 caused my games to crash, my wireless to constantly drop deskpite having the latest "made for 8" drivers, and iTunes to have some odd error that didn't affect anything. How much is MS paying you, troll?
Oh yeah! And I saw NO increase in performance or boot times. Suck it!
someuid
March 13, 2013 at 9:35am
No, the loser is the person who enjoys being Microsoft's lapdog.
Win8 isn't any more secure or faster or whatever than Windows 7. If anything, it is less secure because it brings another entire coding avenue (metro) that is going to have its fair share of bugs over the years, on top of everything under the hood, which is all based on Win7 anyway.
Smoother experience? Barf. What a total grey area. I had some10 windows open the other day on a 3-screen Windows 7 system. It was a piece of cake and I had everything right there where I needed it. Under Windows 8, it would have been 100% undoable on Metro, sending me to the desktop to get that kind of work done. Having to bypass Metro to get work done isn't making my experience smoother.
wolfing
March 13, 2013 at 7:34am
Except that's not my case at all. My dad wanted a new laptop so we went shopping to Best Buy, and there were no W7 laptops there anymore, so we got a W8 laptop. I tried W8, I really gave it a chance. It's really really bad, no, seriously, it sucks more than anything has sucked before. Having two different desktop interfaces depending on what application you want to run, and for the W8 applications you magically had to know that there was more information "to the right" (i.e. no scrollbars or anything). It's really badly designed. And the 'redesign' was not wanted or needed.
RUSENSITIVESWEETNESS
March 12, 2013 at 6:15pm
Just so I can say I added something constructive, there is this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Ex7forW8&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
ex7forw8 replaces the Windows 8 Explorer service with the one from Windows 7 and just fucking kills Metro, as God intended. I think it's free, but you have to have a Windows 7 disc during the install.
Cy-Kill
March 12, 2013 at 7:39pm
Ex7ForW8 was deprecated by the developer [Tihiy] and replaced with StartIsBack!
andrewc513
March 12, 2013 at 10:03pm
StartIsBack is still a different type of app. It lets you get around the Metro/RT side and Store apps, if you wish, on the fly. The point of Ex7forW8 is to completely kill off Metro and replace the entire shell/Explorer with that of Windows 7 (you actually have to provide it Win7 setup files so it can grab it). You can disable it, but it's all or nothing and takes a re-login to stick the changes.
Cy-Kill
March 13, 2013 at 7:12am
What do you think StartIsBack does, SiB is Ex7ForW8, but more advanced...but you don't have to take my word for it!
livebriand
March 12, 2013 at 5:49pm
Another one: StartIsBack costs $3 and works just as well as Start8. (aside from the ability to use the metro start screen as a menu, which doesn't work that well anyway) It's also from Stardock, oddly enough.
Vano
March 12, 2013 at 6:19pm
And my understanding StartIsBack is actually using start menu from Windows 7.
TsunamiZ
March 12, 2013 at 5:47pm
does either app give you the option of customizing the image of the start button?
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