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One solution is to use Open-Shell instead of Microsoft's start menu: https://open-shell.github.io/Open-Shell-Menu/ https://open-shell.github.io/Open-Shell-Menu

One solution is to use Open-Shell instead of Microsoft's start menu: https://open-shell.github.io/Open-Shell-Menu/ https://open-shell.github.io/Open-Shell-Menu/ Stardock usually makes a replacement start menu too.

izzydata 3y ago
I actually bought Start 11 because of how annoying the default Windows 11 start menu was. This marks the first time I've ever bought software. Good work Microsoft. I obtained copies of Windows through some University thing with Windows Vista and Windows 7 and then those keys have somehow just worked up until Windows 10 and then they gave me Windows 11 upgrade for free. In case you were wondering how I have not ever paid for Windows.
blincoln 3y ago
How well-supported is it? Looks like the last release was almost a year ago. Replacing the Windows shell, especially in Windows 10/11, with their constant updates, isn't something I'd recommend for non-experts, but I don't even do it myself anymore because it seems like none of the replacements are ever consistently supported in the long term.
- wvenable 3y ago
  Open Shell has been around for a long time -- it's basically done so it doesn't need many updates. That being said, it actually isn't designed to work with Windows 11 (as the entire Taskbar has been re-written) but it does it actually work with it. Requires some extra customization of the settings to get it to look right. I've used Classic/Open Shell since Windows 7.
  - ipcress_file 3y ago
    This is my experience too. I've been using Classic Shell and then Open-Shell on Win10 at work for years. I was using Classic Shell on Windows 7 before that. It seems to just work for me. I've had no problems. I have a little nuc-style Windows 11 box for my TV, and I'd say we're in the typical "wait to update" period with Windows 11. Microsoft always introduces unwanted changes (Vista bling and lag, the entire Windows 8 desktop, the dumbed-down Windows 11 start menu), and then reworks the system to produce a compromise that institutions, businesses and conservative users can tolerate. Just the other day, I noticed the return of task manager access from the taskbar. By the time I adopt Windows 11 for work, I suspect that the worst design changes should be fixed and the third-party add-ons should work perfectly. That's been my experience in the past.

izzydata 3y ago

I actually bought Start 11 because of how annoying the default Windows 11 start menu was. This marks the first time I've ever bought software. Good work Microsoft. I obtained copies of Windows through some University thing with Windows Vista and Windows 7 and then those keys have somehow just worked up until Windows 10 and then they gave me Windows 11 upgrade for free. In case you were wondering how I have not ever paid for Windows.

blincoln 3y ago

How well-supported is it? Looks like the last release was almost a year ago. Replacing the Windows shell, especially in Windows 10/11, with their constant updates, isn't something I'd recommend for non-experts, but I don't even do it myself anymore because it seems like none of the replacements are ever consistently supported in the long term.

wvenable 3y ago
Open Shell has been around for a long time -- it's basically done so it doesn't need many updates. That being said, it actually isn't designed to work with Windows 11 (as the entire Taskbar has been re-written) but it does it actually work with it. Requires some extra customization of the settings to get it to look right. I've used Classic/Open Shell since Windows 7.
- ipcress_file 3y ago
  This is my experience too. I've been using Classic Shell and then Open-Shell on Win10 at work for years. I was using Classic Shell on Windows 7 before that. It seems to just work for me. I've had no problems. I have a little nuc-style Windows 11 box for my TV, and I'd say we're in the typical "wait to update" period with Windows 11. Microsoft always introduces unwanted changes (Vista bling and lag, the entire Windows 8 desktop, the dumbed-down Windows 11 start menu), and then reworks the system to produce a compromise that institutions, businesses and conservative users can tolerate. Just the other day, I noticed the return of task manager access from the taskbar. By the time I adopt Windows 11 for work, I suspect that the worst design changes should be fixed and the third-party add-ons should work perfectly. That's been my experience in the past.