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Since I can't add Windows7 on my laptop, I am hanging on (like the cat in the poster) to Win8.1. I am using this "Classic Shell" tool that gives me the Win7 loo

Since I can't add Windows7 on my laptop, I am hanging on (like the cat in the poster) to Win8.1. I am using this "Classic Shell" tool that gives me the Win7 look/desktop/menu/etc. Don't Windows 10 have a similar tool? I've heard from IT folks that Win10Pro does a better job as an OS on CPU/RAM management, and that once you cut out all the crapware (enhance privacy/stop services/use firewall/etc).. doesn't this make it "better"? I am thinking to run Win10Pro on VM to see if I can make it half-decent. As another writer mentioned above, it won't be far that we won't be able to find hardware that runs in previous Win versions.

NeedMoreTea 7y ago
The nearest I've seen is Stardock's Windowblinds that gives a very rough approximation of 7 (among other themes). Not aeroglass, and I guess is limited by what 10 allows them to do, but what I saw looked like Win-7-flattened. I'd prefer a more convincing copy, complete with Aeroglass. I haven't tried it as I have memories of Windowblinds from the days of XP ... it was fragile and flaky. They might have fixed that, but I'm wary. I really dislike that modern OS's decided theming is verboten, and all must wear the party uniform.
jotm 7y ago
Startisback++ iirc. I actually don't have a problem with the UI, since I only use the start menu and the good old file explorer. Feck those UWP apps.
windexh8er 7y ago
Classic Shell is now developed under the name Open-Shell. I was discussing how I debloat non-LTSC instances to a very Microsoft-centric friend and he showed me how Open-Shell is one of the first pieces he installs to take it back to any form of normality. I did inform him he still needs to debloat the spyware/junk and disable telemetry. I've generally found Geek Uninstaller [1] and O&O ShutUp10 [2] work well together to take out the majority. [0] https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu [1] https://geekuninstaller.com/ https://geekuninstaller.com/ [2] https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
- klingonopera 7y ago
  All this work... for something I paid for! ...yeah, well, might as well use Linux then, if I'm going to spend the same time configuring both. At least with Linux, I'm fighting a shortage of developers and a lack of official support, and not the OS itself.

NeedMoreTea 7y ago

The nearest I've seen is Stardock's Windowblinds that gives a very rough approximation of 7 (among other themes). Not aeroglass, and I guess is limited by what 10 allows them to do, but what I saw looked like Win-7-flattened. I'd prefer a more convincing copy, complete with Aeroglass. I haven't tried it as I have memories of Windowblinds from the days of XP ... it was fragile and flaky. They might have fixed that, but I'm wary. I really dislike that modern OS's decided theming is verboten, and all must wear the party uniform.

jotm 7y ago

Startisback++ iirc. I actually don't have a problem with the UI, since I only use the start menu and the good old file explorer. Feck those UWP apps.

windexh8er 7y ago

Classic Shell is now developed under the name Open-Shell. I was discussing how I debloat non-LTSC instances to a very Microsoft-centric friend and he showed me how Open-Shell is one of the first pieces he installs to take it back to any form of normality. I did inform him he still needs to debloat the spyware/junk and disable telemetry. I've generally found Geek Uninstaller [1] and O&O ShutUp10 [2] work well together to take out the majority. [0] https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu [1] https://geekuninstaller.com/ https://geekuninstaller.com/ [2] https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10 https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

klingonopera 7y ago
All this work... for something I paid for! ...yeah, well, might as well use Linux then, if I'm going to spend the same time configuring both. At least with Linux, I'm fighting a shortage of developers and a lack of official support, and not the OS itself.